Group Medical, Dental and Vision Plan Summary of Material Modifications Available October 15

As previously announced, effective December 31, 2014, the NRECA post-65 retiree group health plans (medical, dental, and vision) will no longer be available to Medicare-eligible retirees. Summary of material modifications (SMM) notices reflecting this change will be released on October 15, 2014. Co-ops will receive a message center alert directing them to the notices on the Employee Benefits website.

Deliver the notices to all active employees, retirees, surviving family members and COBRA participants in the medical, dental, and vision plans by November 1, 2014. SMMs must be delivered by November 1 in order to comply with regulations requiring 60 days’ advance notice prior to this type of coverage change.

Electronic Distribution
Department of Labor regulations allow employers to give out SMMs electronically (usually via email) only to certain employees who can effectively access the documents through computers that are an integral part of their work duties. Other participants–for example, linemen and meter readers–must receive paper copies. Detailed information about electronic distribution of SMMs and other ERISA-required notices is on the BA Assistant section of Cooperative.com.

Once you’ve distributed the SMMs, don’t forget to fill out the online distribution acknowledgement form. Please do this as soon as you’ve given out the notices.

Questions
If you have questions about downloading SMMs, contact the Member Contact Center at 866.673.2299 or contactcenter@nreca.coop. For all other questions about SMMs, contact the benefits compliance team at 866.673.2299, option 7, or at group.compliance@nreca.coop.