FLEX SPENDING WITH ZERO GUESSWORK
Take control of your health and wellness with guaranteed FSA-eligible essentials. Pierce Group Benefits partners with the FSA Store to provide one convenient location for Flexible Spending Account holders to manage and use their FSA funds, and save on more than 4,000 health and wellness products using tax-free health money. Through our partnership, we’re also here to help answer the many questions that come along with having a Flexible Spending Account!
– The largest selection of guaranteed FSA-eligible products
– Phone and live chat support available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week
– Fast and free shipping on orders over $50
– Use your FSA card or any other major credit card for purchases
– Eligibility List: A comprehensive list of eligible products and services
– FSA Calculator: Estimate how much you can save with an FSA
– Learning Center: Easy tips and resources for living with an FSA
– Savings Center: Where you can save even more on FSA-eligible essentials
– FSAPerks: Take your health and funds further with the FSA Store rewards program
NEED HELP? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!
Save up to $1,500 on dependent care expenses this year!
Participating in a dependent care flexible spending account (DCA) is like receiving a 30% discount from your care provider.
A dependent care FSA is a flexible spending account that allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars for dependent care expenses, such as daycare, that allow you to work or look for work.
You choose an annual election amount, up to $5,000 per family. The money is placed in your account via payroll deduction, in equal installments, and then used to pay for eligible dependent care expenses incurred during the plan year.
Child and dependent care is a large expense for many families. Millions of people rely on child care to be able to work, while others are responsible for older parents or disabled family members.
If you pay for care of dependents in order to work, you’ll want to take advantage of the savings this plan offers. Money contributed to a dependent care account is free from federal and most state taxes and remains tax-free when it is spent on eligible expenses. On average, participants enjoy a 30% tax savings on their annual contribution. This means you could be saving up to $1,500 per year on dependent care expenses!
You can use your debit card to pay your provider for eligible dependent care expenses, or pay with your personal funds and submit a claim for reimbursement.
– Your qualifying child under the age of 13
– Your spouse or qualifying adult child or relative who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care
What qualifies?
Dependent care FSA funds can cover costs for:
– Before school or after school care for children 12 and younger
– Custodial care for dependent adults
– Licensed day care centers
– Nanny / Au Pair
– Nursery schools or preschools
– Late pick-up fees
– Summer or holiday day camps
What doesn’t qualify?
Certain expenses are not eligible, for instance:
– Expenses incurred in a prior plan year
– Expenses for non-disabled children 13 and older
– Educational expenses including kindergarten or private school tuition fees
– Food, clothing, sports lessons, field trips, and entertainment
– Overnight camp expenses
– Late payment fees for child care
For a full list of eligible expenses, go to www.healthierbenefits.com.
Get instant access to your account with the IMS Flex Portal and the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App.
– View your account balance and transaction history
– Submit and view claims
– Upload and store receipts
– View important alerts and communications
– Sign up for direct deposit
– Sign up for text message alerts
Register for the IMS Flex Portal at www.healthierbenefits.com. Download the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
– You must have funds in your dependent care FSA before you can spend them.
– You can’t change your election amount during the plan year, unless you experience a change in status or qualifying event.
– Keep your receipts, you will need an itemized invoice for all reimbursement requests.
– The easiest way to manage your account is online at www.healthierbenefits.com or through the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App.
– Any unused funds that remain in your account at the end of the year will be forfeited. Plan carefully and use all the money in your dependent care FSA by the end of the plan year.
Don’t lose the chance to put $800 back into your pocket this year!
Participating in a healthcare flexible spending account (FSA) is like receiving a 30% discount from your medical providers.
A healthcare FSA is a flexible spending account that allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses for you and your dependents, even if they are not covered under your primary health plan.
You choose an annual election amount. At the beginning of the plan year, your account is pre-funded and your full contribution is immediately available for use. Your election amount is then deducted from your paychecks in equal installments throughout the year.
Almost everyone has some level of predictable and non-reimbursable medical needs.
If you expect to incur medical expenses that won’t be reimbursed by another plan, you’ll want to take advantage of the savings this plan offers. Money contributed to a healthcare FSA is free from federal and most state taxes and remains tax-free when it is spent on eligible expenses. On average, participants enjoy a 30% tax savings on their annual contribution. This means you could be saving up to $800 per year on healthcare expenses!
You can use your debit card to pay your providers for eligible healthcare expenses, or pay with your personal funds and submit a claim for reimbursement.
What qualifies?
Healthcare FSA funds can cover costs for:
– Copays, deductible payments, coinsurance
– Doctor office visits, exams, lab work, x-rays
– Hospital charges y Prescription drugs
– Dental exams, x-rays, fillings, crowns, orthodontia
– Vision exams, frames, contact lenses, contact lens solution, laser vision correction
– Physical therapy y Chiropractic care
– Medical supplies and first aid kits
– Over-the-counter medications
What doesn’t qualify?
Certain expenses are not eligible, for instance:
– Expenses incurred in a prior plan year
– Cosmetic procedures or surgery
– Dental products for general health
– Hygiene products
– Insurance premiums
– Late payment fees charged by healthcare providers
For a full list of eligible expenses, go to www.healthierbenefits.com.
Get instant access to your account with the IMS Flex Portal and the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App.
– View your account balance and transaction history
– Submit and view claims
– Upload and store receipts
– View important alerts and communications
– Sign up for direct deposit
– Sign up for text message alerts
Register for the IMS Flex Portal at www.healthierbenefits.com. Download the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
– Your full election amount is available on the first day of the plan year, which means you’ll have access to the money you need, when you need it.
– You can’t change your election amount during the plan year, unless you experience a change in status or qualifying event.
– Save your receipts when you spend your healthcare FSA dollars. You may need itemized invoices to verify the eligibility of expenses or for reimbursement requests.
– The easiest way to manage your account is online at www.healthierbenefits.com or through the IMS Flex Wealthcare Mobile App.
– You can’t contribute to an FSA and an HSA within the same plan year. As a married couple, one spouse cannot be enrolled in an FSA at the same time the other is contributing to an HSA.
– If you are a new employee and unable to log into the online system, please speak with the Benefits Representative assigned to your location, or contact Human Resources.
– If you are an existing employee and unable to log into the online system, please contact Pierce Group Benefits at 888-662-7500 between 8:30am and 5:00pm, or speak with the Benefits Representative assigned to your location.
1. Go to: https://harmony.benselect.com/granville
– Enter your User Name: Social Security Number with or without dashes (ex. 123-45-6789 or 123456789)
– Enter your PIN: Last 4 numbers of your Social Security Number followed by last 2 numbers of your Date of Birth year (ex. 678970)
2. The screen prompts you to create a NEW PIN [__________].
3. Choose a security question and enter answer [__________].
4. Confirm (or enter) an email address.
5. Click on ‘Save New PIN’ to continue to the enrollment welcome screen.
6. From the welcome screen click “Next”.
7. The screen shows ‘Personal Information’. Verify that the information is correct and enter the additional required information (marital status, work phone, e-mail address). Click ‘Next’.
8. The screen allows you to add family members. It is only necessary to enter family member information if adding or including family members in your coverage. Click ‘Next’.
9. The screen shows ‘Benefit Summary’. Review your current benefits and make changes/selections for the upcoming plan year.
– HEALTH CARE FSA: Enter annual amount. MAX $2,850/year
– DEPENDENT CARE FSA: Enter annual amount. MAX $5,000/year
– DENTAL: You may enroll online in Dental coverage (must re-enroll to continue coverage).
– VISION: You may enroll online in Vision coverage.
– BASIC GROUP TERM LIFE: You will need to designate a beneficiary for employer-paid coverage.
– VOLUNTARY GROUP TERM LIFE: You may enroll online in Group Term Life coverage (must re-enroll to continue coverage).
– CANCER ASSIST
You may enroll online in Cancer Assist coverage.
– DISABILITY – EDUCATOR DISABILITY ADVANTAGE (EDA1100)
You may enroll online in EDA1100 coverage.
– ACCIDENT 1.0
You may enroll online in Accident 1.0; however, persons over age 64 applying for coverage and employees wishing to purchase an individual policy for their spouse should speak with the Benefits Representative.
– MEDICAL BRIDGE
You may enroll online in Medical Bridge coverage.
– CRITICAL ILLNESS 6000
You may enroll online in Critical Illness 6000 coverage.
– TERM LIFE 5000
You may enroll online in Term Life 5000; however, employees wishing to purchase an individual policy for their spouse should speak with the Benefits Representative.
– WHOLE LIFE 5000 Plus
You may enroll online in Whole Life 5000 Plus; however, employees wishing to purchase an individual policy for their spouse should speak with the Benefits Representative.
10. Click ‘Sign & Submit’ once you have decided which benefits to enroll in.
11. Review your coverage. If any items are ‘Pending’, you will need to decide whether to enroll or decline this benefit.
12. Click ‘Next’ to review and electronically sign the authorization for your benefit elections.
13. Review the confirmation, then if you are satisfied with your elections, enter your PIN and click ‘Sign Form’.
14. Click ‘Download & Print’ to print a copy of your elections, or download and save the document. Please do not forget this important step!
15. Click ‘Log Out’.
During your open enrollment period, a Pierce Group Benefits representative will be available by appointment to answer any questions you may have and to assist you in the enrollment process.
You may enroll or make changes online to your flexible benefits plan. To enroll online, please visit: https://harmony.benselect.com/granville
YOU CAN MAKE THE FOLLOWING BENEFIT ELECTIONS ONLINE DURING THE ENROLLMENT PERIOD:
– Enroll/Re-Enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts⁺ (Medical Reimbursement and Dependent Care).
– Enroll in Dental Insurance (must re-enroll to continue coverage).
– Enroll in, change or cancel Vision Insurance.
– Designate a beneficiary for Basic Group Term Life Insurance (employer-paid benefit).
– Enroll in Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance (must re-enroll to continue coverage).
– Enroll in, change or cancel your Telemedicine coverage (DIRECT BILLING ONLY*).**
– Enroll in, change or cancel Colonial coverage.
⁺You will need to re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Accounts if you want them to continue each year.
*The Telemedicine plan is available by Direct Billing only. No deductions will be taken via payroll deduction.
**Please see the coordinating pages of your benefit booklet/back cover for enrollment instructions and/or contact information for the Telemedicine plan.
You can view details about your benefits, view educational videos about all of your benefits, download forms, chat with one of our knowledgeable Service Center Specialists, and more on your personalized Pierce Group Benefits website. Our website is also mobile friendly, making it easy to view your plan information on the go!
IMPORTANT NOTE & DISCLAIMER
This is neither an insurance contract nor a Summary Plan Description and only the actual policy provisions will prevail. All information in this booklet including premiums quoted is subject to change. All policy descriptions are for information purposes only. Your actual policies may be different than those in this booklet.
Flexible Spending Accounts: IMS
– Medical Reimbursement Maximum: $2,850/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, 2022.
Dental Insurance*: Sun Life
Vision Insurance: Superior
Cancer Benefits: Colonial Life
Accident Benefits: Colonial Life
Medical Bridge Benefits: Colonial Life
Disability Benefits: Colonial Life
Critical Illness Benefits: Colonial Life
Telemedicine Benefits: Call A Doctor Plus (Direct Billing Only)
Basic Group Term Life Insurance: The Standard (Employer-Paid!)
Life Insurance: Colonial Life
– Term Life Insurance
– Whole Life Insurance
– Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance* (Including EAP + Work/Life Programs)
*EMPLOYEES WILL NEED TO RE-ENROLL IN DENTAL AND GROUP TERM LIFE BENEFITS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE COVERAGE FOR THE NEW PLAN YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2023.
Please note your insurance products will remain in effect unless you speak with a representative to change them.
FEBRUARY 1, 2023 – JANUARY 31, 2024 (GROUP TERM LIFE)
QUALIFICATIONS:
– Employees must work 30 hours or more per week.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
– The plan year for Colonial Insurance products, Spending Accounts, Sun Life Dental and Superior Vision lasts from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. The plan year for Colonial Group Term Life lasts from February 1, 2023 through January 31, 2024.
– Deductions for Sun Life Dental and Superior Vision will begin December 2022. Deductions for Colonial Insurance products, Spending Accounts and Colonial Group Term Life will begin January 2023. The Call A Doctor Plus Telemedicine plan is available by Direct Billing only. No deductions will be taken via payroll deduction.
– Your Group Term Life coverage includes Health Advocate Employee Assistance + Work/Life Programs. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support and resources for personal or work-related challenges and concerns. Please see the Group Term Life pages of this benefit booklet for more details and contact information.
– 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.
– PLEASE NOTE: Pierce Group Representatives are not authorized to assist employees with their SHP enrollment or make SHP enrollment elections on an employee’s behalf.
– 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.
– Elections made during this enrollment period CANNOT BE CHANGED AFTER THE ENROLLMENT PERIOD. Please speak with your Plan Administrator for more information.
– Flexible Spending Account expenses must be incurred during the Plan Year in order to be eligible for reimbursement.
– An employee has 90 days after the plan year ends to submit claims for spending account expenses that were incurred during the plan year. Please note that if employment terminates during the plan year, that employee’s plan year ends the day employment ends. The employee has 90 days after the termination date to submit claims.
– With Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, the maximum reimbursement you can request is equal to the current account balance in your Dependent Care account. You cannot be reimbursed more than has actually been deducted from your pay.
– 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.
– 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, 2023.
– Additionally, some policies may include a pre-existing condition clause. Please read your policy carefully for full details.
– Please be aware there are certain coverages that may be subject to federal and state tax when premium is paid by pretax deduction or employee contribution.
– An employee taking a leave of absence, other than under the Family & Medical Leave Act, may not be eligible to re-enter the Flexible Benefits Program until the next plan year. Please contact your Benefit Administrator for more information.
PEBA administers the state’s employee insurance programs for South Carolina’s public workforce. PEBA benefit elections are processed through PEBA’s MyBenefits and Member Access portals. Learn more about the benefits available to employees by visiting the links below.
PEBA Website MyBenefits Online Portal Member Access (Retirement) Online Portal
→ Standard Medical Plan Information
→ Savings Medical Plan Information
→ Medicare Supplemental Medical Plan Information
→ TRICARE Supplemental Medical Plan Information
→ Prescription Benefit Information
→ Select Your Retirement Plan Guide
→ South Carolina Retirement System Information
→ State Optional Retirement Program Information
→ Be Aware & Prepare Program Information
→ Wondr Health Sign-up / Login
Learn more! The Insurance Summary, available at peba.sc.gov, provides more detail about your benefits options, including eligibility, when you can enroll and premiums.
→ Watch Next: Navigating Your Retirement Benefits Video Playlist
Contact PEBA’s Customer Service through the contact forms below, or any time from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at 803.737.6800 or 888.260.9430.
Questions About Insurance Benefits Questions About Retirement Benefits
For more contact information, visit peba.sc.gov/contact.
– If you are a new employee and unable to log into the online system, please speak with the Benefits Representative assigned to your location, or contact Human Resources.
– If you are an existing employee and unable to log into the online system, please contact the Harmony Help Desk at 866-875-4772 between 8:30am and 6:00pm, or speak with the Benefits Representative assigned to your location.
1. Go to: https://harmonyenroll.coloniallife.com
– Enter your User Name: LEXSD1 and then Last Name and then Last 4 of Social Security Number (LEXSD1SMITH6789)
– Enter your Password: Four digit Year of Birth and then Last 4 of Social Security Number (19766789)
2. The screen prompts you to create a NEW password [__________].
Your password must have: 1 lowercase letter, 1 uppercase letter, 1 number, and 8 characters minimum.
Your password cannot include: first name, last name, spaces, special characters (such as ! $ % &), or User ID.
3. Choose a security question and enter answer [__________].
4. Click on ‘I Agree’ and then ‘Enter My Enrollment’.
5. The screen shows ‘Me & My Family’. Verify that the information is correct and enter the additional required information (title, marital status, work phone, e-mail address). Click ‘Save & Continue’ twice.
6. The screen allows you to add family members. It is only necessary to enter family member information if adding or including family members in your coverage. Click ‘Continue’.
7. The screen shows updated personal information. Verify that the information is correct and make changes if necessary. Click ‘Continue’.
8. The screen shows ‘My Benefits’. Review your current benefits and make changes/selections for the upcoming plan year.
– CANCER ASSIST
You may enroll online in Cancer Assist coverage.
– DISABILITY – EDUCATOR DISABILITY ADVANTAGE (EDA1100)
You may enroll online in EDA1100 coverage.
– ACCIDENT 1.0
You may enroll online in Accident 1.0; however, persons over age 64 applying for coverage and employees wishing to purchase an individual policy for their spouse should speak with the Benefits Representative.
– MEDICAL BRIDGE
You may enroll online in Medical Bridge coverage.
– CRITICAL ILLNESS 6000
You may enroll online in Critical Illness 6000 coverage.
– TERM LIFE 5000
You may enroll online in Term Life 5000; however, employees wishing to purchase an individual policy for their spouse should speak with the Benefits Representative.
– WHOLE LIFE 5000 Plus
You may enroll online in Whole Life 5000 Plus; however, employees wishing to purchase an individual policy for their spouse should speak with the Benefits Representative.
9. Click ‘Finish’.
10. Click ‘I Agree’ to electronically sign the authorization for your benefit elections.
11. Click ‘Print a copy of your Elections’ to print a copy of your elections, or download and save the document. Please do not forget this important step!
12. Click ‘Log out & close your browser window’ and click ‘Log Out’.
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
MoneyPlus
Health Savings Accounts
Life Insurance
Long-Term Disability
PEBA information is listed for informational purposes only. Please refer to the PEBA Benefits & Enrollment section below for ways to access your benefits and enrollment information.
Accident Benefits: Colonial Life
Medical Bridge Benefits: Colonial Life
Cancer Benefits: Colonial Life
Short-Term Disability Benefits: Colonial Life
Critical Illness Benefits: Colonial Life
Life Insurance: Colonial Life
– Whole Life Insurance
Please note your insurance products will remain in effect unless you speak with a representative to change them.
QUALIFICATIONS:
– You must work 20 hours or more per week.
IMPORTANT FACTS:
– The plan year for Colonial Insurance products lasts from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
– Deductions for Colonial Insurance products will begin January 2023.
– If signing up for PEBA coverage, please have your marriage license, or page one of your most recent joint federal tax return to add spouse to coverage, and a copy of the long birth certificate to add children to coverage. If signing up for any Colonial coverage on your spouse and/or children, please have their dates of birth and social security numbers available when speaking with the Benefits Representative.
– Elections made during this enrollment period CANNOT BE CHANGED AFTER THE ENROLLMENT PERIOD unless there is a family status change as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Examples of a family status change are: marriage, divorce, death of a spouse or child, birth or adoption of a child, termination or commencement of a spouse’s employment, or the transition of spouse’s employment from full-time to part-time, or vice-versa.
– Once a family status change has occurred, an employee has 31 days to notify the HR Generalist for status changes for PEBA, or the Pierce Group Benefits Service Center for status changes for Colonial products.
– • 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, 2023.
– Additionally, some policies may include a pre-existing condition clause. Please read your policy carefully for full details.
– Please be aware there are certain coverages that may be subject to federal and state tax when premium is paid by pretax deduction or employee contribution.
PEBA BENEFITS & ENROLLMENT
– PEBA administers the state’s employee insurance programs for South Carolina’s public workforce. PEBA benefit elections are processed through PEBA’s MyBenefits and Member Access portals. Learn more about the benefits available to employees by visiting the link below.
FLEX SPENDING WITH ZERO GUESSWORK
Take control of your health and wellness with guaranteed FSA-eligible essentials. Pierce Group Benefits partners with the FSA Store to provide one convenient location for Flexible Spending Account holders to manage and use their FSA funds, and save on more than 4,000 health and wellness products using tax-free health money. Through our partnership, we’re also here to help answer the many questions that come along with having a Flexible Spending Account!
– The largest selection of guaranteed FSA-eligible products
– Phone and live chat support available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week
– Fast and free shipping on orders over $50
– Use your FSA card or any other major credit card for purchases
– Eligibility List: A comprehensive list of eligible products and services
– FSA Calculator: Estimate how much you can save with an FSA
– Learning Center: Easy tips and resources for living with an FSA
– Savings Center: Where you can save even more on FSA-eligible essentials
– FSAPerks: Take your health and funds further with the FSA Store rewards program
NEED HELP? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!