WPS Benefit News
October 2020
In This Issue:
- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Live Inspired: It's a Beautiful Life!
Saving for the Future (FREE Webinar)
Employee COVID-19 Hotline
- Catastrophic Enrollment Improvements
- Open Enrollment for 2021 Benefits
- Discounts for WPS Employees
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer.
The district insurance plan with Meritain allows one mammogram annually with an in-network provider at no cost. While physicians prefer these be as close to 12 months apart as possible to note any changes, insurance allows one per calendar year. Please take advantage of this important benefit to protect yourself and catch any changes early. Early detection can make a big difference!
That annual mammogram is key because often times there are no symptoms for breast cancer. If symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Change in the shape or size of breast
- Discharge from the breast
- Pain in the breast
- New lump in breast or under the arm
You should contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of these changes. Performing a monthly breast exam can help uncover these changes.
While rare, men can also get breast cancer and should be alert of any changes as well.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Meritain USD 259 Insurance Plan
Live Inspired: Its a Beautiful Life!
Saving for the Future
Free Webinar
Many people do not have a healthy level of savings, despite knowing the importance of having money set aside for emergencies, purchases, college, and retirement. In this webinar, you will learn how to utilize Emotionally Charged Saving techniques that will motivate you to set and keep your savings goals.
Some of the topics covered include:
- Savings
- Your Financial Shock Absorbers
- How Spending and Saving are Actually Two Sides of the Same Coin
- The Reasons to Save,
- Why Willpower is Overrated
- Positive + Negative Emotion=Massive Motivation
- The Power of "Mindless Saving"
Click here to access the webinar (this link allows you to skip the login page)
Employee COVID-19 Hotline
Employees of the Wichita Public Schools should call the COVID-19 Hotline or fill out the online form to report their COVID-19 situation.
Some scenarios may include:
- You are positive for COVID-19
- You are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
- You have been in close contact with someone positive with COVID-19 inside or outside your home (were within 6' of the person for 10 minutes or longer, masked or unmasked)
- You have traveled to somewhere on the KDHE travel-related quarantine list
Click Here to complete online COVID-19 form or call hotline (316) 833-0074
CATASTROPHIC ENROLLMENT MOVING TO YEAR-ROUND
The Catastrophic Benefit Pool was created to help employees who have suffered a catastrophic medical or FMLA eligible event (or been caring for an FMLA eligible family member who meets the same criterion) and have exhausted all their temporary leave days and gone into "deduct" or no-pay status as a result.
If you are a benefitted district employee, you may donate one day of temporary leave and as a result be a participant in the pool. If you are currently enrolled, you will not need to donate another day.
You will find complete instructions within your district e-mail and also on the Employee Benefits website.
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2021 BENEFITS
Please watch your mailbox for a Benefits Guide being mailed out on October 13, 2020. Employee Benefits will also send out several e-mail reminders.
Striving to keep employees well so we can continue serving the needs of the district and our students is of utmost importance. To protect everyone and limit unnecessary exposure, we are discouraging walk-ins this year and will send out information allowing you to set up a phone appointment with an Employee Benefits team member if assistance is needed with the enrollment process.
Please note the reminders below for what may be your easiest enrollment year yet!
Reminder: Wellness Credits Waived for 2021 Plan Year
As a reminder, the wellness credit requirement has been waived for the 2021 plan year only.
Employees and spouses will not be required to accumulate 100 wellness points between September 1,2019 and August 31, 2020 in order to earn the wellness premium waiver for the 2021 plan year.
Employees and Spouses on the district health plan will be required to earn 100 wellness points for the 2022 plan year and thereafter in subsequent plan years.
The points for the 2022 health plan year must be earned between September 1, 2020 and August 31, 2021 in order to be eligible for the wellness premium waiver for the 2022 health plan year.
Discounts for WPS Employees
For more details about offers, visit the Employee Discount page by following these steps:
- Go to the district’s website: www.usd259.org
- Click on the SIGN IN link (at the top of the page) and log in. You MUST be logged in to see restricted content on the website.
- Place your curser over the STAFF button (in the red bar). You’ll see a drop-down menu – select EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS.
TIP: When you look at items on the list, you must click on the title of the company to see the complete description, including code words and special links:
Employee Benefits & Insurance Management
Danielle Dettmer
Functional Manager
HR/Employee Benefits & Insurance Management
Email: employeebenefits@usd259.net
Website: http://www.usd259.org/HumanResources
Location: 903 South Edgemoor Street, Wichita, KS, USA
Phone: 316-973-4581