Changes to the State Wellness Program

On January 19, 2016 the State of Maryland issued a press release regarding major changes to the State Wellness Program. As you may recall, the State Wellness Program was implemented in 2015 in an effort to keep healthcare premiums low for state employees, while improving overall health. Since then, the State has recognized the challenges associated with the program and has made significant changes that will address employee concerns and still promote engagement with the medical providers. Here is an overview of the changes:

1. The surcharges have been eliminated for 2016 and 2017 regardless of whether the member completed his or her wellness activities.
2. Those who completed the 2015 healthy activities do not have to complete them again in 2016; the $0 copay for all Primary Care Provider (PCP) office visits (including sick visits) will continue through December 31, 2016.
3. Engagement in disease management is not required. Members can engage voluntarily.
4. Age/gender appropriate screenings are not required; however, members are encouraged to complete these voluntarily.
5. Those who did not complete the healthy activities in 2015 may complete them now in 2016 and begin enjoying the $0 PCP copays once they are completed.
6. The New “Healthy Activities” for 2016 are:

• Select a PCP
• Complete either the medical plan's health risk assessment OR the State health risk assessment
• Have your Physician complete the Provider Notification Form

We want to sincerely thank our UMBC employees for their patience and feedback during the first year of this program. The changes outlined above are the result of your feedback and that of other State of Maryland employees and were adopted as positive incentives for people to use the resources offered by the plans in order to maintain, or improve, overall quality of life. If you have not yet taken advantage of the free copays, you still have time to do the activities outlined above.

If you need more information please visit the State of Maryland Wellness Program website to view the FAQ. If you have questions please contact Human Resources, 410-455-2337 or hrbenefits@umbc.edu.

Thank you!

The Human Resources (HR) Department received preliminary notification that the attached document from the Department of Budget and Management’s Employee Benefits Division (EBD) will be sent to employees in early January, 2016.  The document outlines tax filing requirements related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and instructions for completing the new tax form(s).   Please be mindful that if you worked for another employer earlier in the year, or are enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente IHM, you may receive additional forms. 

As outlined in the document, the new forms (1095-B and 1095-C) are to be completed and submitted with your 2016 Federal Tax return.  We encourage you to review the form(s) with your tax preparer before submitting our 2016 tax return.  Questions regarding the forms should be addressed to the EBD at EBD.mail@maryland.gov or 410-767-4775.

Read more here

Great news!  The 2015 State Benefits Wellness Program healthy activities deadline has been extended to December 31, 2015!  If you haven’t already done so, you and your covered spouse now have an additional 90 days to complete the activities for 2015: 

1.    Select a primary care physician (PCP)

2.    Complete the health risk assessment

3.    Review the results of the health risk assessment with your PCP

A post card will go to all medical plan participants announcing Open Enrollment: October 15, 2015 to November 16, 2015.  Additional information will be available during the Open Enrollment health fairs, and the medical plan carriers will send additional information as well.  Please note, this does not apply to Graduate Assistants on the Student Aetna plan.

PCP copays will be waived once the activities are completed and will continue through 12/31/15. 

The $50 surcharge for not completing the wellness activities will be delayed until the first pay period in April 2016.

Complete information regarding the State Wellness Program, including links to the medical carrier’s website to complete the activities, can be found at:

http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Pages/WellnessHome.aspx

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Human Resources at 410-455-2337 or hrbenefits@umbc.edu

Thank you!

Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.  The first aid given until appropriate treatment is received or until the crisis is resolved.

The grand re-opening of the Y Preschool at UMBC is scheduled for September 1, 2015.