Distribute Required Health Plan Notices by December 31
If you haven’t already done so, December 31 is the final deadline to give the following disclosure notices to employees participating in the NRECA Medical Plan. Your cooperative may distribute these with annual enrollment materials or at a different time, but if not, be sure you’ve distributed them before December 31.
Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act Notice
All co-ops must 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. Co-ops must prepare the notice, but a sample is posted on the Employee Benefits website.
Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) Notice
Co-ops that offer the NRECA Medical Plan and are located in certain states must give the CHIPRA notice to employees who participate in the plan. It tells them that they may be eligible for premium assistance from state programs. A model notice is available on the Department of Labor’s website.
Employers in these states must distribute this notice:
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, 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.
Delivery methods
Printed copies of both notices are always acceptable, but you may be able to use an electronic method under certain conditions. Check the electronic distribution rules posted on the Employee Benefits website to find out if you can use an electronic method.
If you have questions, contact the benefits compliance team at 866.673.2299, option 7, or group.compliance@nreca.coop.