2009 Benefit Frequently Asked Questions
The following commonly asked questions are available to assist during the annual enrollment period.
- General Open Enrollment Questions
- CIGNA Health Insurance
- Dental Plan
- VSP Vision
- Flexible Spending Plan
- UNUM Supplemental Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment
- Short-term Disability
General Open Enrollment QuestionsI do not want to make any changes to my benefits for 2009. Do I have to enroll online? No. No action is required if you are not making changes to your current benefit elections.
I only want to change my election for one benefit plan. Do I have to make changes to all of my current benefit elections? No. You only have to make the change to the plan you have selected by going to the appropriate online enrollment tool.
Can I make a change to my elections after the open enrollment deadline? No. Benefit elections for 2009 are irrevocable. This is to ensure that the benefits department meets payroll and vendor deadlines for benefit changes to be effective by January 1, 2009.
If I have general enrollment questions whom do I contact? If the answer to your question is not listed, please contact our annual re-enrollment line at 856-6090 or via email at benefits.reenrollment@co.wake.nc.us.
Learn more about 2009 Benefit Enrollment
I am enrolled in the HRA plan and I have fund dollars remaining in my account. What will happen to the extra money? The extra fund dollars will rollover or carry over to the next plan year as long as you are enrolled in the HRA Plan.
I am currently enrolled in the HRA plan and have HRA fund dollars in my medical fund account. I want to switch to the Open Access Plan for the 2009 plan year. What will happen to my HRA fund account? You will forfeit any remaining fund dollars in your HRA Account. The dollars do not rollover to the Open Access Plan. However, remaining fund dollars will be applied toward any outstanding claims while you were enrolled in the HRA plan.
Will I get a new member id card for 2009? Employees who are enrolled in the HRA plan will receive new member id cards on or before January 1, 2009. Employees enrolled in the OAP plan will receive a new card only if they make changes to their coverage level.
If I do not participate in the wellness programs for 2008, what will happen to the money?
You will forfeit the incentives dollars for 2008.What is the deadline to take part in the 2008 health risk assessment and preventive health screening? The deadline to participate is December 31, 2008.
How do I access the Health Risk Assessment and Preventive Screening acknowledgement? You can access the health risk assessment at www.mycigna.com. If you are new to the site you must register. To complete the Preventive Screening acknowledgement go to www.wakeemployees.com/welless and click on the Health Screening Acknowledgement link.
Learn more about CIGNA Health Plans
Can I enroll in the dental plan during the annual enrollment period? No. There is no annual enrollment for 2009. However, if you experience an IRS qualifying event during the year, you can enroll, drop, cancel or change coverage levels.
Will I get a new card since the premium rates are increasing? No. You will keep the same membership ID card.
Can I cancel my dental coverage or make a change to my coverage level during the annual enrollment period? No. The dental plan is a biannual enrollment. There is a two-year commitment upon enrollment unless you have an IRS defined qualifying event.
Learn more about the dental plan
Do I get a membership ID card for the vision plan? No. You simply provide your eye care provider with your social security number.
How do I locate an eye care provider in the VSP network? You can locate a VSP network provider by visiting their website at www.vsp.com.
Learn more about the vision plan
IMS Flexible Spending PlanALERT – DEPENDENT CARE PARTICIPANTS! If you have a child who will no longer be in daycare full-time because he/she will start in a traditional or year round school beginning in the Fall of 2009, please plan your annual contribution with care. Midyear contribution changes will not be considered if you over contribute or if your child experiences a school reassignment. These circumstances do not satisfy the IRS defined qualifying events to allow a mid year change.
- I want to contribute to the Flexible Health and or Dependent Care accounts. Do I have to re-enroll for 2009? Yes. If you wish to enroll in the Flexible Spending Program for Health and or Dependent Care for 2009 you must re-enroll online at www.wakeemployees.com/benefits/enrollment and click on the health, flex and vision enrollment link.
- What is the annual maximum contribution limit for 2009? The annual maximum contribution limit for the health care account is $5000.00. The annual maximum contribution limit for the dependent care account is $5000.00.
- I want to check my 2008 Flex account balances. Who do I contact? Contact Interactive Medical Systems at 919-877-9933.
- What is the deadline to exhaust my 2008 flex health care account contributions? You have until March 15, 2009 to incur expenses and March 31, 2009 to file for reimbursable expenses for contributions made during the 2008 calendar year.
- Will I receive a new Flex Card for 2009? If you have a MBI Flex Card, do not discard. Your card will be reloaded with your 2009 annual election for the health care and or dependent care accounts.
Learn more about flexible spending plans
UNUM Supplemental Life, Accidental Death and DismembermentHow much supplemental life coverage can I purchase for my family or myself?
- Employee coverage - Employees may choose to purchase coverage in $10,000 increments up to $500,000. The guarantee issue amount is five times your salary or $200,000 whichever is reached first. A purchased amount over the guarantee issue is subject to approval by Unum Life.
- Spouse coverage – You can purchase coverage for your spouse in $10,000 increments up to the maximum amount you have for yourself. The guarantee issue amount for spousal coverage is $50,000. An amount over the guarantee issue is subject to approval by Unum Life. NOTE: Spouse coverage may not exceed the employee’s coverage amount this includes your Basic Life coverage that Wake County provides plus any supplemental life insurance coverage you elect.
- Children may be covered at $2500, $5000, $7500 or $10,000.
Do I have to complete a health statement for my spouse or myself? A statement of health (evidence of insurability) must be completed for life insurance elections greater than the guarantee issue amount for current participants or for those who are electing coverage for the first time.
The online statement of health questionnaire is located at http://www.wakeemployees.com/benefits/disabilityplans/default.htm. Simply click on the Supplemental Life Evidence of Insurability online form link. You must complete the form and return to the benefits department for processing. Unum will notify you in writing if the additional coverage amount you elected for you and or your spouse has been approved.
Can I elect coverage for my spouse or children without electing supplemental coverage for myself? Yes. You must enroll in supplemental life insurance in order to enroll your spouse or children in the plan.
Learn more about supplemental life, accidental death and dismemberment
I am electing Short Term Disability coverage for the first time. Do I have to fill out a medical history form to be approved for Short Term Disability? No medical history form is required. You are eligible for coverage. However, you will be subject to the pre-existing condition clause for the first year of coverage.
I want to change my Short-Term Disability elimination period from 30 days to 15 days. How will the pre-existing clause apply to me? If you received medical treatment including consultation, diagnosis or took prescription drugs for the condition in the 3 months prior to your effective date of coverage, you will be covered at your previous benefit amount. However, you will be subject to the pre-existing condition clause for the first year of coverage.
My current Short Term Disability weekly benefit is less than the maximum amount allowed based on my salary. I want to increase my weekly benefit. Does the pre-existing clause apply to me? Yes. If you become disabled during the first year due to a pre-existing medical condition, you will be paid based on your current weekly benefit instead of your new weekly benefit.
Learn more about short-term disability
