By now our members (both active and retired) may have received notification from Verizon Benefits regarding the 2012 Annual Enrollment Information.
The Company advised us that since we are still in the process of negotiating a new labor agreement, the current plans will remain unchanged with the exception of the mental health parity, which is being implemented effective 1/1/2012 in compliance with the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (“MHPAEA”).
MHPAEA is a federal law that establishes requirements to make insurance coverage of mental health conditions and substance use disorders comparable to coverage of other medical conditions.
The 2012 benefit renewal will run from 11/1/2011 through 11/11/2011 for our active members and 11/15/2011 through 12/1/2011 for our retired members. Our members will be advised of these dates and they can make changes to their benefit plans, covered dependents, change or enroll in the Healthcare or Dependent Care Spending Account or change their current contributions. We still have “Anytime Enrollment” which means that our members do not have to do anything at this time if they are satisfied with their benefit plan. Our members should take the time during this annual enrollment to check the status of their dependents and to determine if they want to enroll or make changes to the Healthcare or Dependent Care Spending Account.
If our members want to enroll in a Health Care or Dependent Care Spending Care Account or change their current contributions, they must contact Verizon Benefits at 1-877-4 VZBENS (1-877-489-2367) or go on line at www.verizon.com/benefits. The Company also notified our members that they will be conducting a dependent verification in 2012 to ensure that only qualified dependents are provided with coverage. The company will be requiring our members to provide documentation to support eligibility for each of your covered dependents.
The company has agreed with the Union that they will not be looking back on any of the changes our members make at this time with regards to dependents or the spousal surcharge eligibility. We are encouraging every member to take the time to review their covered dependents to confirm that they continue to meet the qualifications for coverage. Also, they should take the time to update their spousal surcharge eligibility. Members can be disciplined, up to and including dismissal, for putting ineligible dependents on their coverage.
If our members want to change a dependent or drop a dependent or make a change to the spousal surcharge, they must contact Verizon Benefits at 1-877-4 VZBENS (1-877-489-2367) or go on line at www.verizon.com/benefits. We suggest that they do this by calling and talking to someone live to get confirmation of the change and document confirmation.
