Watch for Group Program Plan SMMs

On March 27, summary of material modifications (SMM) documents for the NRECA Medical Plan and the NRECA Long-term Disability Plan will be released to cooperatives that offer these plans. Both SMMs are effective April 1, 2025, and must be distributed to participants no later than May 31, 2025. Watch your Message Center for a notification linking to each SMM.

All co-ops that offer the NRECA Medical Plan will receive an SMM explaining prescription drug coverage changes effective April 1, 2025. These changes were announced in the January 22, 2025 issue of NRECA Employee Benefits Weekly.

Co-ops that offer the NRECA Long-term Disability (LTD) Plan will receive an SMM if they received an annual SMM (dated January 1, 2025, for distribution to participants by March 1, 2025) instead of a summary plan description. Visit the Other Disclosure Information page of the Employee Benefits website to read about why your co-op receives an annual SMM instead of an SPD for plans in the Group Benefits Program.

These SMMs must be distributed within 60 days of the April 1, 2025 effective date. Before distribution, review the standing guidelines in the BA Guide to learn about acceptable distribution methods, including electronically using the Employee Benefits website. As the final step of your distribution process, acknowledge distributing your SMMs right away. 

COBRA plan participants, retirees, surviving dependents and any children covered under a qualified medical child support order who do not reside with your employee must receive their own copy of the NRECA Medical Plan SMM. Throughout 2025, give a copy of these SMMs to new plan participants at the same time you give them a copy of the summary plan description (SPD).

Participants with questions about plan coverage may call the Member Contact Center at 866.673.2299. For questions about the SMM, call the group compliance team at 866.673.2299, option 7, or email group.compliance@nreca.coop.