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Maintaining Your Health While Aging Gracefully (09/10)
2011 CHP Choice Materials in the Mail! (08/10)
Seminar Explores Benefits of Employee Assistance Program (08/10)
Board Approves 2011 Concordia Health Plan Rates (08/10)
CIGNA, Express Scripts Helping Members Affected by Floods, Wildfires (08/10)
Expecting a Baby? (08/10)
Knowing Your Numbers Can Lead to a Longer, Healthier Life (07/10)
Concordia Plan Services, LCMS Foundation Collaborate to Save (07/10)
Concordia Plan Services Joins You at the 64th Regular Convention (06/10)
Get Regular Doses of Healthy News, Tips on Twitter (06/10)
Do You Sleep Well? (06/10)
Helping Men Take a Proactive Approach to Good Health (06/10)
Learn How to Make Things Happen through 'Power of Initiative' (05/10)
Stressed Out About Stress? (05/10)
Hiring New Workers Can Mean Payroll Tax Break for Employers (05/10)
Helping Women Make Healthy Choices a Priority (05/10)
‘Ministerial Health and Wellness Week’ May 16-22 (05/10)
Concordia Plan Services Determining if Health Insurance Tax Credit Applies to Employers (04/10)
Employee Assistance Program Gives Managers Tools to Help Employees (04/10)
Health Care Reform Bills Signed into Law (04/10)
HIPAA Privacy Notice Revised (04/10)
Initial Health Care Reform Bill Passes — Reconciliation Bill to Follow (03/10)
Growing Healthy Children Through Healthy Habits (03/10)
Make the Choice to Be Healthy (03/10)
Free Hearing Screenings to Members with Diabetes (02/10)
CIGNA Bringing Better Health to TV (02/10)
Dispelling the Myths, Misunderstandings About Depression (02/10)
Managers: Find Strategies for Dealing with Today’s Economy (02/10)
Stress and Eating Habits Addressed During February 10 Phone Seminar (02/10)
Find What You Need Under ‘Who Am I?” (01/10)
Blue Cross Blue Shield Website Unavailable This Weekend Due to Maintenance (01/10)
CIGNA’s Next Phone Seminar Educates Managers about the Employee Assistance Program and Related Services (01/10)
EAP Resources Provide a Good Start to 2010! (01/10)
Concordia Retirement Plan—Sound Principles Help steer Through Troubled Times (01/10)
CIGNA and Vision Service Plan (VSP) would like to debunk some common myths about getting older and help Concordia Health Plan members learn about the changes in their bodies and lives that typically occur with aging.
During the upcoming CIGNA Employee Assistance Program telephone seminar, “Aging Gracefully: How to Maintain Your Health,” you’ll learn ways you can slow the aging process, and maintain your health and vigor as long as possible.
Also, in the latest issue of the VSP e-newsletter, “The Center,” a doctor of optometry discusses presbyopia, the condition of age-related farsightedness, which is considered a 40-something eyesight challenge. Clik here to read more.
The CIGNA EAP telephone seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, September 8, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Please pre-register at least 48 hours prior to the start of the seminar. You will need the confirmation code 7746897 to access this seminar.
If you are unable to pre-register, you can still join the seminar by calling 877-757-0918 and using the Passcode 411904.
Presentation notes are available for this seminar. You will also find helpful tools and resources in these handouts.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight 10 days after the teleconference date. The dial-in number to access the recorded playback is 888-348-4629. Use the Passcode 411904 to access the recording.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health. (09/10)
Concordia Plan Services recently mailed employers their 2011 Concordia Health Plan (CHP) Choice materials. The packets were slightly delayed this year due to new health care reform legislation and the evaluation necessary to determine the impact of the new laws and subsequent regulations on the CHP.
Each employer packet contains:
- An Annual Rate Notice,
- A 2011 Employer Guide to the Concordia Health Plan,
- An 2011 Employer Guide to Personal Spending Accounts, and either
- An Election Information and Form for Employer Choice* employers, or an Election Worksheet and Form for Employers with Worker Choice**
For your convenience, you can also view the 2011 guides online through one of these links:
To look up your CHP rates online, visit the Healthcare/Rates section of our site.
*“Employer Choice" is for those employers who only offer one Concordia Health Plan Option to all of their workers. (Note: the majority of participating employers only qualify to offer Employer Choice.)
**“Worker Choice” is for those employers who offer more than one CHP Option at the organization, and then allows the workers to choose the CHP Option that best fits their needs. Employers must meet eligibility requirements in order to offer Worker Choice. Eligibility requirements state that employers must have at least 15 workers enrolled in the Concordia Retirement Plan, have at least 75% of those workers enrolled in the CHP (no less than 10 workers), and not offer any other health coverage alongside the CHP. Employers who qualify for Worker Choice do not have to offer multiple CHP options; they can still choose to offer only one CHP Option if they prefer.
Note: The election form provided in the CHP Choice packet will indicate whether or not the employer is eligible to offer Worker Choice in 2011. (08/10)
As an employer, you’ve probably heard that members of the Concordia Health Plan have access to CIGNA’s Employee Assistance Program. But you may not know the wide range of real-world benefits it provides. Now it’s time to learn what the EAP can do for you – as a manager and an employee.
The next telephone seminar, “Managers Guide to EAP,” is August 25. Employers are encouraged to come take a closer look at how the EAP can help employees through life’s day-to-day challenges, as well as some services designed specifically for employers.
This seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, August 25, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Please pre-register at least 48 hours prior to the start of the seminar. You will need the confirmation code 4430596 to access this seminar.
If you are unable to pre-register, you can still join the seminar by calling 877-757-0918 and using the Passcode 411904.
Presentation notes are available for this seminar. You will also find helpful tools and resources in these handouts.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight 10 days after the teleconference date. The dial-in number is 888-348-4629. Use the Passcode 411904 to access the playback.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health. (08/10)
New contribution rates for the Concordia Health Plan (CHP) have been approved to take effect January 1, 2011.
CHP rates for all Options will be increasing by 9.9% for 2011. This increase is a result of the rising cost of health care, as well as plan changes required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (health care reform). Rate increases for certain zip codes will reflect less than a 9.9% increase as some zip codes were re-aligned within geographic pricing areas to ensure the rates appropriately reflect the cost of health care in that area.
Medical inflation and the regulations associated with health care reform are causing healthcare costs to rise across the board, and industry trends show 10-15% increases, with even greater increases for small group plans.
The contribution rates for the CHP are carefully reviewed and adjusted each year, taking into consideration our stewardship and financial responsibilities. Administrative costs for the CHP are lower than the industry norms, with only 7.5 cents of every dollar going toward plan administration. Ninety-two and a half cents of every contribution dollar are used to pay CHP claims.
To view 2011 rates for Options A – D, Options Blue HRA (Option E), Options Blue HSA (Option HDHP), and all HMO Options, click here.
Please note: The 2011 rates for the CHP Medicare supplemental coverage have not been set. We anticipate these rates will be available by the end of September.
If you have any questions, please contact Concordia Plan Services at 888-927-7526. (08/10)
No one can predict when a natural disaster, like the devastating floods in Iowa or wildfires in Kern County in California, will strike. However, the CIGNA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Express Scripts’ emergency procedure for prescription drug fills is readily available to members of the Concordia Health Plan (CHP).
CIGNA Behavioral Health
The recent floods and wildfires have dramatically affected many individuals and whole communities, including Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) churches and their workers. Because employers and workers who are directly affected by community-wide disasters sometimes need special help to cope with added stressors, the EAP is ready to help – either through counseling or other available resources.
To access the workers’ Disaster Resource Center, go to www.cignabehavioral.com and locate “Members” and then click on “More” under the “Find Resources and Information” menu. Locate the “Disaster Resource Center” at the top of the page. Employers seeking help through the Disaster Resource Center should go to www.cignabehavioral.com and click on “Benefits Managers.” Under the “Find Reporting and Other Tools” menu, click on “More” Find the “Disaster Resource Center” at the top of the page.
Express Scripts
By implementing emergency procedures for prescription drug fills, Express Scripts is permitting prescription refills for patients from the disaster areas who have lost or damaged medication resulting from the floods and wildfires. This applies even if the refill occurs sooner than allowed by Express Scripts’ normal standards.*
Pharmacies will need to enter a special override code (provided by Express Scripts) in order to process the claims for affected members in the specified areas of Iowa and California. Emergency procedures are effective immediately and extend to the following dates:
- Iowa – expires September 1, 2010 (Applies to the counties of Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Buena Vista, Butler, Cherokee, Clay, Davis, Decatur, Franklin, Howard, Humboldt, Iowa, Lee, Lyon, Madison, Marion, Mills, Monroe, Montgomery, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Ringgold, Shelby, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Webster, and Wright)
- Kern County, California – expires August 28, 2010
*These procedures do not apply to CHP members enrolled in HMO Options because prescription drug benefits for these members are administered by CIGNA Healthcare. (08/10)
Having a baby is an exciting time—it also requires a lot of work as you prepare for a new addition to your family. As a member of the Concordia Health Plan (CHP) and the Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan (CDSP), you’ll have great benefits during your pregnancy.
You’ll also have helpful tools and resources to guide you as you prepare for the new baby. Here you will find information about:
- Enrolling in the CareAllies Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Babies incentive program,
- Filing a disability claim, and
- Adding a child to your CHP and CDSP coverage.
Enrollment and filing deadlines apply, so be sure to review the requirements. To learn more, contact Concordia Plan Services at 888-927-7526. (08/10)
Do you make note of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar numbers after visiting with your doctor? Knowing your numbers is one easy way to keep track of issues like heart disease and diabetes. In the next CIGNA Employee Assistance Program Telephone Seminar, “Know Your Numbers: A Guide to Understanding Your Health Status,” you’ll get simple, real-world explanations of these numbers and how to improve them.
This seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, August 11, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Please pre-register at least 48 hours prior to the start of the seminar. You will need the confirmation code 4985251 to access this seminar.
If you are unable to pre-register, you can still join the seminar by calling 877-757-0918 and using the Passcode 411904.
Presentation notes are available for this seminar. You will also find helpful tools and resources in these handouts.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight 10 days after the teleconference date. The dial-in number is 888-348-4629. Use the Passcode 411904 to access the playback.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health. (07/10)
Concordia Plan Services (CPS) and The LCMS Foundation are partnering to work with investment consultant Wilshire Associates. The collaboration with Wilshire is expected to bring about savings in custodian and investment manager fees, and lead to better outcomes for CPS and Foundation stakeholders.
“When the collaboration was initiated, the boards and investment committees for both organizations fully supported this partnership,” said Tom Ries, president of The LCMS Foundation.
“This is not about combining or pooling our funds, this is about working together in order to find strength and efficiency for similarly needed services,” said Jim Sanft, president of Concordia Plan Services.
Wilshire will advise Concordia Plans on the investment strategy for its four trust funds—Concordia Health Plan, Concordia Retirement Plan, Concordia Retirement Savings Plan, as well as the Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan, while it will work with the Foundation to oversee strategies appropriate for their wide array of investment opportunities.
Under this collaborative effort, custodians and investment managers that are used by both organizations will consider the total of both organizations’ assets when calculating fees.
Sanft added, “By looking at the assets on a combined basis, the result should be substantial savings in management and service costs associated with investment oversight.”
“We’ve collaborated with other organizations and participated in buying groups to achieve efficiency and cost savings before, particularly in regards to the benefit administration of the Concordia Health Plan. However, collaborating with a fellow LCMS organization also means we’re working together for the betterment of our Church,” said Sanft.
“The LCMS Foundation and Concordia Plans have each been blessed with many years of success,” said Ries. “We are certain this partnership is the next step toward a more efficient and effective future for both ministries.”
(07/10)
A lot will be happening at the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, but don’t forget to schedule a stop at the Concordia Plan Services booth. We have several opportunities for you to register for some prizes, as well as to gather great information through our Lunch & Learn sessions, participate in daily walks, and meet the faces of Concordia Plans. In addition, CIGNA has added the Convention as a stop on its health awareness tour.
The CIGNA Mobile Learning Lab will be open to delegates on Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11. This traveling learning lab is an experiential exhibit that helps to raise awareness and understanding of traditional and non-traditional influencers of health. The Mobile Learning Lab takes awareness to a new level, challenging guests to look at health more holistically.
For more details about what Concordia Plans will be offering at the Convention, click here. (06/10)
You can now follow Concordia Plan Services “Better Health” newsletter editor and Health Educator, Steve Gruenwald, on Twitter. Steve is now tweeting health and wellness news and tips at http://twitter.com/Steve4Health. Get your regular dose of healthy information so you can Be Well in order to Serve Well. (06/10)
If it’s been a while since you have had a good night’s sleep, then you will want to check out CIGNA’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Telephone Seminar, “Sleep Well: How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep.”
This seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, June 23, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Please pre-register at least 48 hours prior to the start of the seminar. You will need the confirmation code 3739084 to access this seminar.
If you are unable to pre-register, you can still join the seminar by calling 877-757-0918 and using the Passcode 411904.
Presentation notes are available for this seminar. You will also find helpful tools and resources in these handouts.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight 10 days after the teleconference date. The dial-in number is 888-348-4629. Use the Passcode 411904 to access the playback.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health. (06/10)
There is a belief that a large majority of men do not think about their health until they are not feeling well or facing a serious illness. CIGNA’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here to help men take a proactive approach to their health and wellness.
A good first step to being proactive is to participate in the “Healthy Life Tips for Men” EAP Telephone Seminar on Wednesday, June 9, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Please pre-register at least 48 hours prior to the start of the seminar. You will need the confirmation code 6234867 to access this seminar.
If you are unable to pre-register, you can still join the seminar by calling 877-757-0918 and using the Passcode 325404.
Presentation notes are available for this seminar. You will also find helpful tools and resources in these handouts.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight 10 days after the teleconference date. The dial-in number is 888-348-4629. Use the Passcode 325404 to access the playback.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health.
“The Power of Initiative” is the next scheduled Employer Assistance Program (EAP) telephone seminar. This seminar will help participants to:
- Understand that they have the ability to choose how they respond to situations,
- Identify roadblocks that may be getting in their way,
- Identify priorities, and
- Learn about how their EAP benefits can assist them in strengthening their initiative.
Join us for this EAP Telephone Seminar on Wednesday, May 26, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Please pre-register. You will need the confirmation code 4225670 to access this seminar.
Presentation notes are available for this seminar. You will also find helpful tools and resources in these handouts.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight 10 days after the teleconference date. The dial-in number and passcode for the replay of seminars are available on the registration site.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health. (05/10)
Stress is a part of your life, but if it’s affecting your health and happiness, that’s not good. CIGNA’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) “Stress Management 101” seminar can help you understand where your stress is coming from and what you can do to cope.
Join us for this EAP Telephone Seminar on Wednesday, May 19, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Please pre-register. You will need the confirmation code 3426061 to access this seminar.
Presentation notes are available for this seminar. You will also find helpful tools and resources in these handouts.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight 10 days after the teleconference date. The dial-in number and passcode for the replay of seminars are available on the registration site.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health. (05/10)
Eligible employers will receive a payroll tax exemption for hiring previously unemployed workers, according to the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act. HIRE created a payroll tax holiday for the employer share of the Social Security tax on wages paid to qualifying new hires from March 19, 2010, through December 31, 2010.
HIRE includes tax-exempt employers, such as those in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The only excluded employers are federal, state, and local governments, with the exception of public universities.
An employee who would qualify as a new hire:
- begins employment from February 3, 2010 through December 31, 2010,
- completes an affidavit (IRS Form W-11) certifying he/she has not been employed more than 40 hours during the 60-day period prior to beginning work at a new employer,
- is not hired to replace another worker unless that worker voluntarily quit or was fired with cause, and
- is not related to the employer.
(Note: Ordained and commissioned ministers on the rosters of the Synod do not qualify as new hires under the HIRE Act because the exemption applies to the employer share of Social Security payroll taxes, and the employer does not pay these taxes.)
HIRE does allow employers to rehire a previously laid-off worker, as long as he/she has been employed for less than 40 hours during the prior 60-day period. High school and college graduates, who have been in school for some or all of the 60 days preceding the start of employment, also qualify.
Employers can claim the payroll tax exemption for wages paid to qualified employees on the employer’s quarterly payroll tax return (Form 941) beginning with the second quarter of 2010 (due August 2).
For additional information, see our list of Frequently Asked Questions or visit the IRS website. (05/10)
It’s not easy making the healthiest choices when your daily to-do list is filled with everything marked as priority—the project at work, the kids’ after-school activities, the laundry. CIGNA’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here to help busy women make their health and wellness a priority.
The first step is to make it a priority to participate in the “Healthy Life Tips for Women” EAP Telephone Seminar on Wednesday, May 12, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Please pre-register. You will need the confirmation code 7616489 to access this seminar.
Presentation notes are available for this seminar. You will also find helpful tools and resources in these handouts.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight 10 days after the teleconference date. The dial-in number and passcode for the replay of seminars are available on the registration site.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health.
(05/10)
Improving the health of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod workers and their families is a key focus for Concordia Plan Services. We would like to help our Concordia Health Plan (CHP) members make healthy choices, such as engaging in daily exercise. If health and fitness have not been a top priority on your daily to-do list, then schedule “Ministerial Health and Wellness Week,” May 16-22, as the time to renew your focus on being healthy and well.
To help you promote “Ministerial Health and Wellness Week” at your organization, check out the ideas and resources offered through Ministerial Growth and Support’s “Wellness…Kick It Up!”.
Concordia Plan Services offers CHP members many resources and tools on health and wellness. You and eligible family members have access to comprehensive and wide-ranging health and wellness programs through CareAllies and myCareAllies.com.
Employers who are in the CHP can encourage wellness in other ways by
starting a Team Walking Contest at your church, school, or organization or by hosting a Health and Wellness presentation by contacting Concordia Plans’ Health Educator. (05/10)
Concordia Plan Services is looking into a recent postcard mailing from the Internal Revenue Service to several million small businesses, including church and church-affiliated organizations. The purpose of the mass mailing was to alert these organizations of a new possible “tax credit for providing health insurance for your employees.”
Your organization may already have received one of these postcards. While this was an encouraging communication, it is possible that certain nonprofit employers will not be eligible for this credit. Concordia Plan Services is working with our legal advisors and our alliance with other church bodies to determine if and how small employers covered under church benefit plans may be able to access these credits.
We will post our finding and recommendation as soon as possible on the homepage of our website as well as communicate with our Concordia Health Plan employers via other available channels. (04/10)
If your organization is a member of the Concordia Health Plan (CHP), then you probably know about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that is provided as a part of the CHP. However, as manager of your organization, you may want to better understand the benefits of the EAP or learn how to use the EAP as a management tool, such as how to refer employees.
Schedule time to participate in the “Manager’s Guide to the EAP” Telephone Seminar on Wednesday, April 28, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Please pre-register at least 48 hours before the conference. You will need the confirmation code 4939975 to access this seminar.
Presentation notes are available for this seminar. You will also find helpful tools and resources in the How to Make a Management Referral handout.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight 10 days after the teleconference date. The dial-in number and passcode for the replay of seminars are available on the registration site.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health. (04/10)
The initial Health Care Reform bill, the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” was signed into law by President Obama on March 23. A week later, on March 30, President Obama signed into law the “Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010” which makes tax and revenue changes to the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”
Concordia Plan Services will continue to research and evaluate the impact of the legislation on health care, our members and employers, and the Concordia Health Plan.
Most of the changes will become effective in 2014 or later—but history demonstrates that many new pieces of legislation are modified as various entities begin to work toward administering the new law’s requirements, so chances are that what is outlined in the law today may look different as we approach 2014. However, there are a few key components effective January 1, 2011, which appear to affect the Concordia Health Plan. These are:
- eliminating pre-existing condition limitations for children under age 19 (currently, CHP pre-existing condition limitations could be waived with proof of prior coverage),
- covering adult children up to age 26 under a parent’s health coverage, regardless of the child’s full-time student status (currently the CHP covers children after age 21 only if a full-time student or totally disabled), and
- eliminating the CHP’s lifetime limit on benefits (currently, the CHP lifetime maximum is unlimited for HMO Options and $5 million for all other Options).
As always, Concordia Plan Services will implement any necessary changes to comply with the legislation and communicate the changes with our plan members and LCMS employers. In addition, we will continue to share news via our website and our quarterly newsletter, the Benefits Bulletin.
See other stories related to the Health Care Reform legislation:
The federal law titled “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996” (also known as HIPAA) requires that notice be given of a change in the use or disclosure of protected health information. You can view a copy of the revised HIPAA Privacy Notice for Concordia Plan Services, or you may request that a copy be mailed to you by calling 888-927-7526.
(04/10)
Concordia Plan Services has been studying the various versions of health care reform legislation and monitoring their evolution within Congress over the past year. On March 21, the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” which was approved by the Senate on Christmas Eve 2009, was passed by the House of Representatives. President Obama is expected to sign this bill into law on March 23. Also passed by the House was the “Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010,” a second bill with further modifications, which has now been sent to Senate for their consideration and approval.
Concordia Plan Services will continue to stay abreast of the details of the two bills and evaluate the impact of the legislation’s components on health care, our members and employers, and the Concordia Health Plan.
Most of the changes will become effective in 2014 or later—but keep in mind that many new pieces of legislation run through a series of tweaks and modifications as the various industries, States, organizations, and professionals start to dive in and work toward administering the new law’s requirements. That said, there are still many questions whose answers may be fully unknown for a while, but we want to share with you a few key points.
It appears the most immediate changes that will take place within the next six months or so are:
- eliminating pre-existing condition limitations for children, and
- covering adult children up to age 26 under a parent’s health coverage, regardless of the child’s full-time student status.
We will be researching these immediate changes to determine how they impact the Concordia Health Plan and when they must become effective so that we can share the information with plan members.
As always, Concordia Plan Services will implement any necessary changes to comply with the legislation. However, it should be noted that the immediate effects of expanding coverage as noted in the two bullets above will have a cost impact on all health insurers and plans, including the Concordia Health Plan. Rest assured we will do everything we can to keep our contribution rate increases as low as possible.
To help keep our members and employer representatives up to date, we will continue to share news via our website and our quarterly newsletter, the Benefits Bulletin.
Click here to view the official LCMS reaction to the health reform bill. (03/10)
If you’re worried about what your kids eat, you’re not alone. More American children have weight issues than ever before. So you may be asking yourself, “How can I help my kids make healthier food choices”, or “How can I get them off the couch and get them active?”
Find out by joining us for “How to Develop Healthy Habits in Your Children,” Employee Assistance Program Telephone Seminar on Wednesday, March 24, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) and last one hour. Please pre-register at least 48 hours before the conference. You will need the confirmation code 5880134 to access this seminar.
Click here to access presentation notes for this seminar. You will also find helpful tools and resources in the Healthy Kids Challenge handout.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight on the 10th day from the teleconference date. The dial-in number and passcode for the replay of seminars are available on the registration site.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health.
(03/10)
Learn how to reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; make better nutritional choices; fit exercise into your schedule; and find out which health screenings you need from your doctor by participating in the next CIGNA Employee Assistance Program Telephone Seminar.
“Make the Choice to Be Healthy,” telephone seminar will be held on Wednesday, March 10, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) and last one hour. Please pre-register at least 48 hours before the conference. You will need the confirmation code 1940772 to access this seminar.
Click here to access presentation notes for this seminar. A handout on Body Mass Index will also be discussed during the seminar.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight on the 10th day from the teleconference date. The dial-in number and passcode for the replay of seminars are available on the registration site.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health. (03/10)
A new study revealing that diabetics are twice as likely to have a hearing loss as those without diabetes has prompted HearUSA, a provider for Concordia Health Plan (CHP), to provide free hearing screenings.
Starting March 1, HearUSA is providing free hearing screenings to any CHP member and their enrolled dependents diagnosed with diabetes (including Medicare Supplemental members). To schedule an appointment and/or to get a list of providers, contact 800-442-8231. When you schedule an appointment in March you will receive an educational DVD, developed by the American Diabetes Association, “Living with Diabetes.” (02/10)
CIGNA, a provider for Concordia Health Plan members, is coming to a television near you in an effort to tell the world how better health translates to a better life, and lower costs, for everyone.
CIGNA’s Chief Learning Officer and Medical Director will discuss how the right choices can positively impact your health and your finances. They’ll explore the link between making informed health choices and lower costs, and offer an array of education resources, including learning games, videos, quizzes, podcasts, and more.
During the hour episode, CIGNA will have a segment featured on “The Balancing Act” which will air on the Lifetime channel at 7 a.m. (EST) on Wednesday, March 10 and 31. Learn about ways to stay healthy through Concordia Plans “Health Resources” or visit CIGNA. (02/10)
It’s time to put the myths and misunderstandings about depression aside. Register today for the upcoming Employee Assistance Program Telephone Seminar, “A Frank Discussion About Depression.” During this seminar, you’ll learn what depression looks and feels like. Understand its effect on family, friends, and co-workers. Learn when to ask for and how to get help.
“A Frank Discussion About Depression,” telephone seminar will be held on Wednesday, February 24, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) and last one hour. Please pre-register at least 48 hours before the conference. You will need the confirmation code 8277845 to access this seminar.
Click here to access presentation notes for this seminar. Signs and Symptom of Depression will also be discussed during the seminar.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight on the 10th day from the teleconference date. The dial-in number and passcode for the replay of seminars are available on the registration site.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health. (02/10)
As a manager, you’re sure to have noticed the impact of the difficult economy in the workplace. The next Employee Assistance Program Telephone Seminar was created to help you navigate the issues these challenging times present. Learn how to keep your employees motivated. Do more with less. And find out how to keep everybody’s stress levels – including yours – down.
“Today’s Economy: Strategies for Managers,” telephone seminar will be held on Wednesday, February 17, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) and last one hour. Please pre-register at least 48 hours before the conference. You will need the confirmation code 4068250 to access this seminar.
Click here to access presentation notes for this seminar.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight on the 10th day from the teleconference date. The dial-in number and passcode for the replay of seminars are available on the registration site.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health.
(2/10)
Many people think of stress as something that comes from the outside. But, stress is actually defined as how you respond—physically and emotionally—to change and to challenging situations. Compulsive eating or dieting is just one of the behavioral symptoms of stress. If you or someone you know is eating your/their way through a stressful time, this week’s Employee Assistance Program Telephone Seminar is designed specifically to address this issue.
“How Stress Affects Our Eating Behavior,” telephone seminar will be held on Wednesday, February 10, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) and last one hour. Please pre-register at least 48 hours before the conference. You will need the confirmation code 6129948 to access this seminar.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight on the 10th day from the teleconference date. The dial-in number and passcode for the replay of seminars are available on the registration site.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health. (02/10)
The Concordia Plan Services website has everything our employers and plan members need to know about the quality benefits and services they receive from Concordia Plan Services. One of the best places on our website to find what you need is under the “Who Am I?” section.
For example, if you are new to Concordia Plans as a Treasurer/Benefit Administrator, then click on the “Who Am I?” drop down menu arrow on the upper left side of our homepage. Selecting “Treasurer/Benefit Administrator” takes you to much of what is required to successfully administer the Plans for your church or LCMS organization. The “Resources” section of the site has many features employer representatives will find helpful, including access to online training for new Treasurers/Benefit Administrators.
If you are unable to find what you are looking for on our website, please call 888-927-7526, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. CST, Monday-Friday. We’re happy to assist you.
(01/10)
Concordia Health Plan members will not be able to access the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota website this weekend. This site will be closed for scheduled maintenance. As a result, www.bluecrossmn.com/concordia, will tentatively be unavailable from 8:15 p.m. Friday, January 22 until 6 p.m. Sunday, January 24 (CST).
(01/10)
As managers, supervisors, or others in a supervisory role you may have heard about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), but don’t know the wide range of real-world benefits the EAP provides. Well, the next CIGNA 2010 Telephone Seminar is designed specifically to give you all the information you need to know about the EAP.
“Manager’s Guide to the EAP,” telephone seminar will be held on Wednesday, January 27, at 2:00 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) and last one hour. Please pre-register at least 48 hours before the conference. You will need the confirmation code 3385342 to access this seminar. You can download seminar handouts—EAP Guide for Managers and How to Make a Management Referral—which will be used during the seminar.
A recorded playback of each seminar will be available starting two hours after the seminar until midnight on the 10th day from the teleconference date. The dial-in number and passcode for the replay of seminars are available on the registration site.
To see a list of planned telephone seminars complete with access information, see the schedule provided by CIGNA Behavioral Health.
(01/10)
CIGNA is ready for a new year as it introduces the 2010 line-up of Employee Assistance Program (EAP) telephone and wellness seminars. The seminars are available to Concordia Health Plan (CHP) members as well as employers who offer the CHP. (The EAP is not available to Medicare members.)
EAP Telephone Seminars are open to CHP members and their families, as well as managers and others in supervisory roles at employers who offer the CHP. The first of 26 telephone seminars will begin on January 13. For a listing of 2010 EAP Telephone Seminars and directions on how to register, click here.
For an additional cost, employer benefits representatives can offer wellness seminars and/or management trainings for their employees. To view the 2010 EAP Wellness Seminars & Management Trainings Catalog, go to 2010 EAP Wellness Seminars & Management Trainings Catalog. To request an on-site Wellness Seminar or Management Training session, click here. (01/10)
We understand that times of uncertainty cause concern. And, we know that both the current and future benefits provided are important to LCMS employers, church workers, and retirees. That’s why Concordia Plan Services is dedicated to doing all that we can to deliver the benefits under the Plan—and doing so in a prudent, balanced, and disciplined manner.
You can find solace in the fact that your retirement funds, as well as other benefits, are managed with a disciplined approach. Concordia Plan Services staff does not work alone; we partner with top investment managers and business consultants. Their professional guidance—along with that of our experienced board members, prudent policies, and commitment to our fiduciary responsibilities—help to ensure we make the appropriate decisions when required.
In order to provide easy access to information we’ve periodically shared about the Concordia Retirement Plan, a special Web page exists. Simply click Updates About the Concordia Retirement Plan to see the various communications. For your convenience in the future, you can access this special Web page directly from the homepage by clicking the direct link in the “Quick Links” section. (01/10)
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