Distribute Health Plan Notices Before December 31

December 31 is the deadline to give the following annual notices to employees who participate in the NRECA Medical Plan. You may distribute these at any time, including with annual enrollment materials, but be sure you’ve distributed them before December 31.

Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act Notice
Give this notice to employees who participate in the NRECA Medical Plan. It explains that medical plans are required to provide certain benefits for mastectomy-related services, including all stages of reconstruction and surgery. Send the notice either alone, in a benefits newsletter or with other benefits information. Cooperatives must prepare the notice, and a sample notice is posted on the Employee Benefits website for your convenience.

Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) Notice
Co-ops that offer the NRECA Medical Plan and have plan participants residing in certain states must give the CHIPRA notice to employees who participate in the plan. It tells employees that they may be eligible for premium assistance from state programs. A model notice is available on the Department of Labor’s website. You may either distribute a printed copy or, under certain conditions, you may use an electronic method. Check the electronic distribution rules posted on the Employee Benefits website to find out.

Employers in these states must distribute this notice: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

If you have questions, contact the benefits compliance team at 866.673.2299, option 7, or group.compliance@nreca.coop.