Benefits Bulletin April 2024

Welcome to the Benefits Bulletin!

Our goal with this monthly newsletter is to communicate benefit changes and keep you up-to-date and informed on approaching deadlines.

Welcome New Benefits Team Members!

Please welcome Juli-Anna Hendricks and Michelle Pence to the Benefits Team.

Julia-Anna will be serving as a Benefits Specialist. She graduated from Mary Baldwin University with a degree in Marketing Communication and a minor in Human Resources, as well as from Regent University with a degree in Cybersecurity. Juli-Anna comes to JMU with almost 20 years of experience, working with federal, state, and private insurance regulations, as well as working within healthcare compliance. She is excited to be part of JMU and helping others within HR.

Michelle Pence will be serving as the Benefits Administrative Assistant, replacing Angie Gett who is now serving as a Benefits Specialist. Michelle graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in 2016 and was the Office Manager of a local real estate firm for five years. She brings administrative and customer service experience with her, allowing her to provide support to the Benefits Team as well as exceptional service to JMU employees. Michelle loves helping people and puts this passion to use every day as the Benefits Administrative Assistant.

Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment Period for Health Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): May 1 – May 15, 2024

Open Enrollment for Voluntary Benefits: May 1 – May 17, 2024

The 2024 Spotlight on Your Benefits will be mailed to home addresses. Please be sure to read the Spotlight thoroughly as this year features many enhancements to your existing health insurance coverage. You may also access Open Enrollment information through the Department of Human Resource Management web page.

Para ver Spotlight en español, haga clic aquí

Enroll in Health Benefits Online with Cardinal Employee Self Service!

The Cardinal Human Capital Management System (HCM) has an Employee Self Service feature, allowing you to make changes to your health benefits and FSA online.

  • Login to Cardinal (you can find your Cardinal ID on the Employee tab in MyMadison)
  • Click on Cardinal Human Capital Management (HCM)
  • Select Benefits Details
  • Select Benefits Enrollment and follow the instructions (available May 1-15)
  • In Cardinal Employee Self Service, you may review your current health benefits record, update your personal information, and enroll or make changes to your health plan and/or membership. You may also enroll in one or both FSAs. Enroll online beginning May 1 but no later than May 15 at 11:59 p.m.

If you do not have online access, then complete the fillable Enrollment Form for Employees, and return to the JMU Benefits Team, second floor of the Wine-Price Building, no later than the close of business on May 15. The fillable health coverage form may also be sent through campus mail to MSC 7009, by fax to 540-568-7916, or by email to benefits@jmu.edu.

Ask ALEX for Advice

Evaluate and compare health plan options with ALEX, your online benefits counselor! ALEX will use your input to let you know how the different health insurance plans work for you. Visit ALEX Benefits Counselor (myalex.com).

Earn Premium Rewards to Reduce Your Monthly Premiums!*

Premium rewards are reductions in health plan premiums for participants in the COVA Care and COVA HealthAware plans who complete a health assessment. An employee and/or their enrolled spouse can reduce the premium by $204 annually ($17/month) or $408 annually ($34/month) for both employee and enrolled spouse if they fulfill the requirements to earn a premium reward. Visit your plan’s website or mobile app to access your health assessment. A step-by-step guide is provided to assist in completing your health assessment. Complete or update your health assessment between May 1 and May 15. Health assessments submitted before May 1 will not count for the new plan year! Please keep a copy of your confirmation.

*The university reduces the amount of your health insurance premium by the premium reward amount.

Flexible Spending Accounts

As a reminder you must re-enroll each year to continue participating in flexible spending accounts. The maximum Health FSA contribution is up to $3,200/plan year. The maximum Dependent Care FSA is up to $5,000/plan year, depending on your tax filing status.

Aflac

Michael Glover, JMU's Aflac representative, will provide in-person meetings and individual phone conferences during open enrollment. You may also email him directly at michael_glover@us.aflac.com.

Michael will be on campus in the Wine-Price Building on the second floor during the following times:

  • Wednesday, May 1, 2024 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, May 14, 2024 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

For more information, please view Aflac's website.

Pierce

Pierce Insurance, the broker for Chubb LifeTime Benefit Term, pet insurance, legal and identity theft coverage, and home/auto insurance, will provide in-person meetings and individual phone conferences during open enrollment.

A representative will be available on Tuesday, May 14 at the Facilities Management Annex Building from 6:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Additionally, a representative will be in the Wine-Price Building on the second floor Monday, May 13, Tuesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 16 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and on Friday, May 17 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Contact Human Resources at 540-568-3593 or email benefits@jmu.edu with any questions concerning Open Enrollment.

Additional Resources

April's Featured Benefit

This month's featured benefit is...

Chubb LifeTime Benefit Term

Chubb LifeTime Benefit Term is a powerful supplemental two-in-one insurance benefit that offers life insurance for family needs plus long-term care benefits. Life insurance benefits last a lifetime, and cash benefits can also be paid directly to you while you are living for long-term care expenses. This benefit is only available through JMU as part of the voluntary benefits package. This product is not sold on an individual basis.

Plan benefits include the following:

  • Permanent life insurance with a long-term care rider
  • Long-term care benefits up to 75 months
  • Guaranteed issue is available up to $150,000 for employees hired after May 30, 2023
  • Guaranteed benefit during working years
  • Guaranteed life premiums that do not increase due to age
  • Paid-up benefits that begin to accrue after 10 years that are guaranteed even if the premiums are discontinued
  • Terminal illness benefit
  • Spouse and children coverage available
  • Fully portable – you own it and take it with you if you leave employment with no increase in premium

During this year’s open enrollment period (May 1-17 for voluntary benefits), meet with a benefits counselor for complete details on guarantee issue guidelines. By reviewing Chubb’s LifeTime Benefit Term with an enrollment counselor for the first time, $10 per person will be donated to the UVA Children’s Hospital. There is no obligation to purchase coverage, and the donation will be made on your behalf.

To find out more about the benefit, call 800-421-3142, ext. 177 or schedule a benefits review here.

Need to Talk with an Expert?

April's Social Security Column

HOW TO SPOT AN IMPOSTER SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT

Want to learn how to spot fake Social Security social media accounts? The tips below will help you protect yourself and your family.

How fraudsters create imposter accounts

Fraudsters create imposter social media pages and accounts using Social Security-related images and vocabulary, making them appear as if they’re associated with or endorsed by us. They also create imposter social media pages of Social Security and OIG officials, such as the Commissioner or the Inspector General.

Protect your personally identifiable information

We will never ask for sensitive information through social media as these channels are not secure. Sometimes, users are asked to enter their financial information, Social Security number (SSN), or other sensitive information. This is a red flag, and often an indication of a fraudulent account.

How to spot a fake social media account

Identifying an imposter account may seem difficult at first, but there are a few things you can look for right away. You will want to focus on the following:

  • How many people follow the imposter page. In most cases, fake pages have a very low number of followers as compared to Social Security’s official page.
  • Improper punctuation.
  • Links to pages not on SSA.gov.
  • Advertisements for forms or other Social Security documents for a price.
  • Incorrect social media handles. To view the list of our official social media channels, we encourage you to visit www.ssa.gov/socialmedia.

Please report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG’s website at oig.ssa.gov/report. You can find more information about scams on our Protect Yourself from Scams webpage at www.ssa.gov/scam.

Please share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues to help spread awareness about imposter social media accounts.

SOCIAL SECURITY’S TOP 5 SCAM AWARENESS ARTICLES

Did you join us for Slam the Scam Day in March? If so, you know how important it is to raise awareness about government imposter scams. That’s why we want you to have all the information you need to protect yourself. Check out our top 5 scam awareness articles below:

  1. We work with our Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to protect you from scams that use Social Security as bait. In How We Protect You from Misleading Advertising and Communications, we detail what to do if you receive a suspicious advertisement or imposter communication. Please see blog.ssa.gov/how-we-protect-you-from-misleading-advertising-and-communications.
  2. Identity theft affects millions of people each year and causes serious harm. Here are 10 ways to protect yourself by securing your personal information at blog.ssa.gov/10-ways-to-protect-your-personal-information-2.
  3. Financial crime against all Americans is an ongoing problem. People living with dementia have a higher risk of becoming victims of fraud. You can learn how to minimize this risk for your loved ones at blog.ssa.gov/minimizing-the-risk-of-scams-for-people-living-with-dementia.
  4. Fraudsters also target veterans, active duty service members, and their families. To learn what to look for and how to help the veterans and military members in your life, check out blog.ssa.gov/stay-alert-fraudsters-target-veterans-active-duty-service-members-and-their-families.
  5. Quick Response (QR) codes are very popular these days. A QR code is a scannable barcode that directs you to a website or social media account. Did you know scammers place fake QR codes on top of official ones? It’s among the latest trends we list in this post to combat scams at blog.ssa.gov/new-years-resolutions-to-combat-scams.

We encourage you to review these articles and bookmark them for future use. Please share this information with friends and family to help us spread the word about scams.

PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE DURING FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH

We celebrate Financial Literacy Month (FLM) every April to promote financial education and well-being in the United States. FLM also serves as a reminder that Social Security is a vital part of any financial plan. Our online tools are here to help you understand your potential Social Security benefits and how they fit into your financial future.

You should periodically review your Social Security Statement (Statement) using your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Your Statement is an easy-to-read summary of the estimated benefits you and your family could receive, including potential retirement, disability, and survivors’ benefits.

If you’re planning to retire, you can visit our Plan for Retirement webpage at www.ssa.gov/prepare/plan-retirement. Here you can compare how different future earnings and retirement benefit start-dates might affect your future benefit amount.

Please tell your friends and family about the steps they can take to improve their financial knowledge by exploring their personal my Social Security account. If they don’t have an account, they can easily create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

SOCIAL SECURITY SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESSES

Running a small business can be a 24-7 endeavor. Managing employees, inventory, scheduling, services, and marketing can be challenging.

If you’re a small business owner, or you work for one, our online suite of services can help make your life easier. Our online business services at www.ssa.gov/employer will save you valuable time when you file electronic W-2s and W-2Cs and verify employee names and Social Security numbers.

Small business owners can also take advantage of our Business Services Online at www.ssa.gov/bso/bsowelcome.htm. You must register to use this free service. This service offers fast and secure online W-2 filing options to Certified Public Accountants, enrolled agents, and individuals who process W-2s and W-2Cs.

For more information about electronic wage reporting, please read our publication at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10034.pdf.

MY SOCIAL SECURITY: IT’S NOT JUST FOR RETIREES

A personal my Social Security account can be helpful in so many ways. You can benefit from its personalized tools even if you are not retired or close to retirement.

With your personal my Social Security account, you can do much of your business with us online. You rarely need to call or visit a local Social Security office once you have one.

Let’s look at some of the features offered by an account.

If you do not receive benefits, you can:

  • Request a replacement Social Security card (in most states and the District of Columbia).
  • Check personalized retirement benefit estimates to compare different dates or ages to begin receiving benefits.
  • Check the status of your Social Security application after you apply.
  • Get proof that you do not receive benefits.
  • Get your Social Security Statement.

If you already receive benefits, you can:

  • Request a replacement Social Security card (in most states and the District of Columbia).
  • Get a benefit verification or proof of income letter.
  • Update your direct deposit (Social Security benefits only).
  • Update contact information (Social Security benefits only).
  • Get a Social Security tax form (1099/1042S).
  • Opt out of receiving certain notices by mail and receive them in the secure Message Center.

Please help us spread the news! Let your family and friends know that they can create a personal my Social Security account today at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.

For more information click HERE.

Save the Date: Employee Appreciation Day

Employee Appreciation Day will be May 16

For more information click HERE.

New Catapult Health Virtual Checkup Home Kit

The Department of Human Resource Management, Office of Health Benefits (OHB) manages the State Health Benefits program with a goal of ensuring that members are utilizing the preventive benefits that are available to them. The health plan administrators for COVA Care, COVA HealthAware and COVA HDHP are working to identify members who have not received their annual preventive exam so they can be offered access to a virtual checkup.

Catapult Health is a participating network provider with Anthem and Aetna. They offer a Virtual Checkup® Home Kit to bring members a convenient, simple, and comprehensive health checkup that can be done right at home. This virtual checkup is entirely FREE as part of the member's health plan benefits.

In the coming days, identified members will be receiving an email from Catapult Health with information on how to enroll in the Virtual Checkup® Home Kit. The email will be sent from VirtualCheckup.

TIAA Webinars

2024 Modified Summer Work Schedule

President Alger and senior leaders are pleased to announce a modified summer work schedule for James Madison University for the summer of 2024.

  • The university’s 2024 modified summer work schedule begins Monday, May 13 and ends on Friday, August 9.
  • University hours of business operation will be 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday.
  • University hours of business operation will be 8:00 a.m. – noon Friday.
  • Departments and supervisors will determine customer service expectations, and employees may work an adjusted schedule after noon on Fridays.
  • Full-time employees must account for a 40-hour workweek or use leave to make up the difference. Not doing so may jeopardize the university’s ability to provide the benefit of a modified summer work schedule.
  • Full-time employee work schedules will need to be adjusted during the Memorial Day and Juneteenth to account for the eight-hour holidays. For the Independence Day holiday, work schedules will need to be adjusted to account for the eight-hour holiday on July 4 and the four-hour holiday on July 5. The workweek (taking designated holiday hours into account) must equal 40 hours. See Holiday Schedule and University Closings.
  • All leave requests are subject to supervisor approval.
  • With supervisor approval, alternate work schedules that meet the 40-hour workweek are acceptable, and employees may work past noon on Fridays to fulfill their 40-hour workweek requirement.

Please direct your modified summer work schedule questions to Reagan Neese, Benefits/Leave Specialist, neeserw@jmu.edu, 540/568-3974. Also see Modified Summer Work Schedule Frequently Asked Questions.

JMU strives for flexibility in scheduling, work-life balance and integration, and employee satisfaction.

THANK YOU FOR READING!

This bulletin has been brought to you by the JMU Benefits Team. If you have any questions or would like to reach out to us, please give us a call at 540-568-3593, visit us on the web at www.jmu.edu/humanresources/benefits, or email us at benefits@jmu.edu. Look for the Live Chat on our website and reach one of us instantly!