Overview of Benefits

Pre-Tax Benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts: Flex Facts
– Medical Reimbursement Maximum: $3,200/year
– Dependent Care Reimbursement Maximum: $5,000/year
You will need to re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Accounts if you want them to continue next year.
IF YOU DO NOT RE-ENROLL, YOUR CONTRIBUTION WILL STOP EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31, 2024.

Dental Insurance: Sun Life

Vision Insurance: Superior Vision

Cancer Benefits: Colonial Life

Accident Benefits: Colonial Life

Medical Bridge Benefits: Colonial Life

Post-Tax Benefits

Short-Term Disability Benefits: Colonial Life

Long-Term Disability Benefits: Sun Life

Critical Illness Benefits: Colonial Life

Life Insurance: Colonial Life
– Term Life Insurance
– Whole Life Insurance

Group Term Life Insurance: MetLife

Telemedicine Benefits: Call A Doctor Plus – Direct Billing Only

Additional Benefits

Student Loan Assistance Program: GradFin

Please note your insurance products will remain in effect unless you speak with a representative to change them.

Enrollment Period: September 30, 2024 – October 25, 2024

Effective Dates: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

ELIGIBILITY:

– Employees must contribute to the NC state retirement system.
– Employees working 32 hours or more per week are eligible for Dental and Long-Term Disability Benefits.
– Employees working 40 hours per week are eligible for all other benefits.

IMPORTANT NOTICES:

– When do my benefits start? The plan year for Flex Facts Spending Accounts, Colonial Life Insurance Products, Sun Life Dental, Superior Vision, Sun Life Long-Term Disability, and MetLife Group Term Life runs from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.

– When do my deductions start? Deductions for Flex Facts Spending Accounts, Colonial Life Insurance Products, Sun Life Dental, Superior Vision, Sun Life Long-Term Disability, and MetLife Group Term Life start January 2025 for enrolled employees. The Call A Doctor Plus Telemedicine plan is available by Direct Billing only. No deductions will be taken via payroll deduction.

– Why have my Cancer, Accident, or Medical Bridge benefits not started yet? The Colonial Cancer plan and the Health Screening Rider on the Colonial Accident and Colonial Medical Bridge plan have a 30-day waiting period for new enrollees. Coverage, therefore, will not begin until January 31, 2025.

– How do Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds work, and do my FSA funds have to be used by a specific deadline? Flexible Spending Account expenses must be incurred during the plan year to be eligible for reimbursement. After the plan year ends, an employee has 90 days to submit claims for incurred qualified spending account expenses (or 90 days after employment termination date). If employment is terminated before the plan year ends, the spending account also ends. Failure to use all allotted funds in the FSA account will result in a “Use It or Lose It” scenario. Your plan includes a grace period which is an additional 2.5 months (running January 1, 2026, through March 15, 2026) during which you can incur eligible expenses that can be reimbursed. Therefore, you have from January 1, 2025 through March 15, 2026 to incur qualified expenses eligible for reimbursement. If you do not incur qualified expenses by March 15, 2026 and/or file by March 31, 2026 any contributions are forfeited under the “Use It or Lose It” rule.

– My spouse is enrolled in an Health Savings Account (HSA), am I eligible for an FSA? As a married couple, one spouse cannot be enrolled in a Medical Reimbursement FSA at the same time the other opens or contributes to an HSA.

– How do Dependent Care Account (DCA) funds work and when do they need to be used? Dependent Care Accounts are like FSA accounts and allow you to request reimbursement up to your current balance. However, you cannot receive more reimbursement than what has been deducted from your pay. It’s important to note that any remaining funds in your DCA account must be utilized before the deadline. Failure to use all allotted funds in the DCA account will result in a “Use It or Lose It” scenario.

– When will I get my card? If you will be receiving a new debit card, whether you are a new participant or to replace your expired card, please be aware that it may take up to 30 days following your plan effective date for your card to arrive. Your card will be delivered by mail in a plain white envelope. During this time you may use manual claim forms for eligible expenses. Please note that your debit card is good through the expiration date printed on the card.

– I want to sign my family up for benefits as well, what information will I need? If signing up for any coverage on your spouse and/or children, please have their dates of birth and social security numbers available when speaking with the Benefits Representative.

– Can I sign up for Health Insurance as well? No, Pierce Group Representatives are not authorized to assist employees with their SHP enrollment or make SHP enrollment elections on an employee’s behalf.No, Pierce Group Representatives are not authorized to assist employees with their SHP enrollment or make SHP enrollment elections on an employee’s behalf.

– What is the difference between pre and post-tax benefits? Pre-tax benefit contributions are taken from an employee’s paycheck before state and federal taxes are applied. Post-tax benefit contributions are paid after taxes are deducted. It’s important to note that some coverages may still be subject to taxes even if paid for through pre-tax deduction or employee contribution.

– Can I change my benefit elections outside of the enrollment period? Elections made during this enrollment period CANNOT BE CHANGED AFTER THE ENROLLMENT PERIOD unless there is a family status change, otherwise known as a qualifying life event (QLE), as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Examples of a QLE can be found here.

– I have a pre-existing condition. Will I still be covered? Some policies may include a pre-existing condition clause. Please read your policy carefully for full details.