There are going to be some major changes this year, and EVERYONE is going to have to be a part of the change.

In all of the years I have been working with the flex program, I have battled the problem of poor receipts, unacceptable receipts, ineligible receipts, and sometimes no receipts for flex claims. As much as possible, I have tried to pay claims, and ask people to send the proper receipts, or go through our copies of the explanation of benefits to find eligible receipts to match what has been sent in.

Starting the first of the year, we will no longer get copies of the explanation of benefits (EOBs). The first question you may ask is: “What does this have to do with me?” Answer: It puts ALL of the responsibility on you whether your claim will be paid or not. When a medical bill is covered by insurance, the ONLY eligible receipt is the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from the insurance company.

Be sure to look at everything that you get from the insurance company. If you receive a questionnaire or a letter requesting more information, BE SURE to fill it out and return it to the insurance company. Again, if you have questions or aren’t sure what they are asking for, call the person at your company who takes care of your health insurance. If you ignore these requests for information, your claim is set-aside in a file, and nothing is done until you have responded.

There is another thing you are responsible for concerning the insurance. If you change from your spouse’s insurance to the company insurance or come on the company insurance for the first time, you are required to send our insurance company (Wellmark Administrators) a certificate of insurance showing you have been continuously covered with insurance, previous to coming on to our insurance. Your previous insurance company should furnish this for you, but you are the one that will be affected, so it is to your advantage that you check to be sure this has been done. If you do not have proof of continuous coverage, our insurance will consider claims as pre-existing conditions, and nothing will be paid until they have that certificate.

As for the flex program, here are a few reminders for those of you who have not sent in your claims, yet. Only claims with a DATE OF SERVICE in the year 2001 can be paid from this year’s flex money. You have until the end of February to file your claims for the year 2001. Flex money can only be used for medical claims NOT COVERED by insurance. In addition, it may be used for eye care, dental care, hearing aids, etc. THE EMPLOYEE must sign the claim form.

New Flex Agreement forms for 2002 must be filled out and returned to the office by January 1, 2002, even if you are laid off and do not return to work in the spring. This is a Federal IRS rule.

Well, enough of this boring information. I trust that everyone will have a truly great Holiday Season. Take some time to reflect on the real meaning of this Christmas season, spend time with families, relax and listen to some of the great “old” Christmas songs, slow down and ENJOY!!