Two Weeks to Go

So where are we now with making those 2014 Health Care choices? Only about 35 congregations in the I-K Synod have gone in and offered a plan.

• October 14 is the deadline for congregations to register the plan they are offering at EmployerLink.
• November 1-22 is the time frame for rostered leaders to accept the plan that is offered, buy up, or waive coverage.

Which employers need to make a health benefit option election for 2014?

• Employers currently sponsoring any members (even if all those members are waived or Medicare-primary).
• Employers who have sponsored at least one member since January 01, 2012, even if they are not currently sponsoring any members.
• Employers not currently sponsoring but planning on sponsoring in 2014.

Employers who do not need to make a health benefit election for 2014:

• Employers who have not sponsored any members since before January 01, 2012, and who do not intend to sponsor any members in 2014.
• Special exception employers (e.g. grandfathered-in retirement only, Luther Seminary, Global Missions, etc.).

Hopefully congregational leaders and rostered leaders have had or will have the needed conversations about what the health care needs of the rostered person are and which health care plan provides those. The Gold+ plan is the closest to continuing the benefits that rostered leaders currently receive under the plan now in effect.

Have those conversations now, before the October 14 deadline arrives.