IMPORTANT: Effective beginning on January 1, 2011, over-the-counter medicines or drugs (e.g. Advil, Ibuprofen, cough syrup) are not eligible for reimbursement under an FSA, without a doctor’s prescription. Insulin is the only medicine that doesn’t require a prescription. Also supplies that you need for medical care (e.g. contact lens solutions, bandages for wounds, thermometers) will continue to be eligible for reimbursement.
As such, upcoming enrollment in your employer’s flexible spending account should take into consideration as of 1/1/2011, over the counter items will no longer be reimbursable under the health FSA.
Region VIII Education Service Center is pleased to sponsor the Region VIII TIPS Employee Benefits Cooperative (TIPSEBC). Protecting your family and assets is an important and complicated task. TIPSEBC offers you a comprehensive benefits package to achieve this goal. Use the navigation tools at the top of the screen to learn more about the different benefit offerings available to you as an employee of Region VIII TIPSEBC.
Important Things to Know for 2010 – 2011
(Click on BENEFITS & FORMS for detailed information on the benefits offered.)
- FSA NOTICE: Effective tax year beginning January 1, 2011, over-the-counter medicines or drugs (e.g. Advil, Ibuprofen, and cough syrup) are NOT eligible for reimbursement under an FSA, HRA, or HSA without a doctor's prescription.Insulin is the only medicine that doesn't require a prescription. Supplies needed for medical care (e.g. contact lens solution, bandages, thermometers) will continue to be eligible for reimbursement. Upcoming enrollment in your employer's flexible spending account should take into consideration as of 1/1/2011; over-the-counter items will no longer be reimbursable under the Health Care FSA.
- IMPORTANT NOTICE: New mandated federal regulations require all dependent socials for any elections made for medical, dental, and/or vision.
- UPDATE all personal information online to include any address changes, new phone numbers and/or new email information.
- SECTION 125 CAFETERIA PLAN YEAR: September 1, 2010 through August 31, 2011.
- MEDICAL: Medical changes cannot be made in the online enrollment system. You MUST see your benefits administrator for any plan changes or pre/post tax election changes to this plan.
- New! IDENTITY THEFT: TIPSEBC is now offering Identity Theft Protection through ID Watchdog. Monthly reporting alerts you to any identity threats or notifies you that there has been no change in the last 30 days. Full resolution services are included should your identity ever be compromised.
- FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS: (1) If you participate in the FSA and your district has the MGM Flex Debit Card, please DO NOT discard. The MGM Flex Card is good for 3 years and costs $10 to replace should you lose it or throw it out. (2) Flex elections do not rollover. (3) PLEASE KEEP ALL RECEIPTS should you be audited by the IRS or asked to substantiate a claim.
- DENTAL: Dental rates have increased slightly with a new 2 year rate guarantee. This is a PPO dental plan that gives the participant the freedom to choose any dentist. The annual maximum is $1,000 with a rollover feature available.
- VISION: This plan allows all vision members to receive eye exams, lenses or contacts once a year and frames every two years. In-Network benefits have co-payments for exam and materials.
- DISABILITY: Employees can enroll and/or increase their monthly benefit amount up to 66 2/3% of gross annual salary without Evidence of Insurability. Guarantee issue amounts are subject to a 12 month pre-existing condition exclusion.
- SULPHUR SPRINGS ISD EMPLOYEES ONLY - UNUM SHORT TERM DISABILITY: Employees who apply for new coverage this year must complete an Evidence of Insurability form and pre-existing condition exclusion will apply.
- New! CRITICAL ILLNESS: TIPSEBC is now offering Critical Illness coverage through UNUM. This is an age banded rate plan that allows benefits up to $15,000 for employee and $10,000 for spouse in increments of $5,000. Dependent children are automatically covered for 25% of the employee’s approved coverage. Elections are issued on a Guarantee Basis (no questions asked) THIS YEAR ONLY!
- CANCER: The APL cancer Plan is offered on a Guarantee issue basis; this means NO HEALTH QUESTIONS are required. Guarantee issue coverage is subject to pre-existing condition exclusions.
- ACCIDENT: The American Public Life Accident Plan is designed to be a supplement that pays benefits directly to you. This plan has an ambulance, hospital and a physician expense benefit.
- VOLUNTARY GROUP LIFE: Voluntary term life insurance is available to NEW Cooperative Member Districts on a Guarantee Issue basis, first year only. This means that employees may enroll up to the lesser of 7 times salary or $230,000 without having to provide medical history. Employees can also enroll their dependents up to 100% of employee election; the guarantee issue is $50,000 for a spouse and up to $10,000 for children.
*Employee/Spouse with existing coverage may purchase an additional $10,000 up to the guarantee issue amount with no evidence of insurability. Evidence of insurability is required for late entrants, existing employees electing new coverage and requests for an increase over $10,000.
- New! INDIVIDUAL LIFE: TIPSEBC is now offering the 5 Star Family Protection Plan with Terminal Illness. This plan offers a guaranteed level premium to age 100 and a guaranteed level death benefit for the first 10 years. You and your family can continue coverage with no loss of benefits or increase in cost should you terminate employment after the first premium is paid. This insurance does not require a medical exam or blood profile. Eligibility for coverage is based on a few simple health questions.
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Financial Benefit Services, LLC
2121 N. Glenville Drive
Richardson, TX 75082
Local: 469.385.4640
Toll Free: 800.583.6908
Fax: 469.385.4641 |
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