2024 Summer ABC Training

PRESENTERS

Melissa Wiseman | Director of Operations | Melissa Wiseman has been Director of Operations for Benefits Administration since 2019. She has served in various roles in Benefits Administration since 2010 and has been employed with Finance and Administration since 2006. In this role she handles leading the effort in Finance and Administration Division of Benefits Administration to deploy new systems and processes that will produce effective and efficient results to ensure the Division executes its mission, vision and values. Melissa leads teams that assist with active employees, retirement, billing, data quality and analysis, education and outreach, and administrative services.

Gena Bishop | Billing Manager | Gena Bishop was named Billing manager in September of 2018. In her role she handles overseeing the day-to-day workflow for the Billing Team which includes retro billing transactions, direct billing for active members, COBRA participants, non-payroll agencies, Flexible Benefits and PPACA eligibility. The Billing Team consists of six billing specialists.

Ian Harris | Systems Administration Manager | Ian Harris is the Systems Administration Manager for Benefits Administration, supervising the Quality Assurance and Scanning Teams, and two data analysts. He has been with BA for seven years. Prior to joining BA, his prior State service includes stints with Edison, the Central Procurement Office and DHS Fiscal Services.

Jasmine McCreight | Retirement Insurance Manager | Jasmine McCreight was named Retirement Insurance Manager in December 2022. In this role she handles managing the Retirement Team, who’s also responsible for servicing three basic groups of employees and retirees by managing their state-provided insurance benefits. The retirement unit provides counseling on the eligibility criteria and the process of continuing insurance coverage at retirement for employees on the state, local education and local government plans. The team is comprised of six insurance benefits analyst and four insurance benefits specialists.

Jessica Southern | Outreach Director | Jessica Southern became the Outreach Director for BA in 2021. In this role, she facilitates outreach efforts to local agencies across the state. This includes managing relationships, building partnerships and increasing participation in the State Group Insurance Program. Jessica partners with local government and education agencies to provide their employees with comprehensive, affordable, dependable and sustainable benefits.

Paige Turner | Population Health Director | Paige Turner is the Population Health Director for the State of Tennessee’s State Group Health Program. She oversees the statewide Population Health and Emotional Wellbeing Solutions programs including a primary population health program, weight management program, the Working for a Healthier TN initiative, and the Employee Assistance and Work-Life programs.

Paula Vetter | Insurance Benefits Manager | Paula Vetter was promoted to manager of the Active Service Center in August of 2022. In this role she oversees the operational areas of the benefits service center to ensure members and agency benefits coordinators are served promptly, excellent customer service is provided in all call, chat and email communications and enrollments are processed following all Plan Document regulations.

Tameka Allen | Program Director Active Service Center | Tameka Allen was named Program Director of the Active Service Center in February 2022. In this role she is responsible for daily operations including managing the Active Training Team whose primary responsibility is the training and development of new employees on the Active Team, and onboarding new ABC's for existing participating agencies. Tameka also provides support and customer service management to the Active Insurance Benefit Manager and Active Service Center analysts. The team is comprised of a total of 17 insurance benefits professionals.

James Armistead | Regional Outreach Specialist | James Armistead has worked for the Treasury Department in various capacities since 2009. In his current role as Regional Outreach Specialist he works with state agencies and political subdivisions throughout Middle Tennessee to help employers understand, navigate and set up education for their employees on both the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) and the 401K and 457b deferred compensation plans. He also works with governing bodies throughout Middle Tennessee with the resolution adoption and implementation process of TCRS and deferred compensation. James holds a bachelors of science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a JD from the Nashville School of Law.

Education and Outreach Team

Nakeisha Myles | Education and Outreach Administrator

Ebony Davidson | Outreach Specialist

Judy Carman | Outreach Specialist

Rachel Craft | Outreach Specialist

Ian Skotte | Communications Officer

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TOPICS

Benefit Changes – Providing benefits updates, adjustments and reminders for annual enrollment for the upcoming 2025 calendar year.

Billing (State and Higher Education only) – Gaining valuable knowledge on topics like direct billing, payroll calendars and collections applied reports.

Communications/Annual Enrollment – Gaining valuable insights and strategies on sharing the benefits programs available for you and your agency.

Edison Updates – Reviewing the updated login process, password reset, Edison digital assistant, new menu system/navigation and the enrollment process.

Onboarding – Discussing best practices for implementation on the new hire process, new hire queries and enrollment deadlines.

Retirement – Explaining all the complexities surrounding retirement including eligibility, voluntary products and the Tennessee Plan.

SQEs – Summarizing all the key updates on special enrollment provisions for 2025.

Wellness and Wellbeing – Examining all the updates and advantages to the Partners for Health wellness programs including behavioral health and Emotional Wellbeing Support.

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