Watch for Group Program Plan SMMs

Starting today, June 28, cooperatives will receive one or more notifications through the Message Center on the NRECA Employee Benefits website linking to quarterly summary of material modifications (SMM) documents for the NRECA Group Benefits Program. These SMMs are due to participants by August 30, 2023.

Quarterly NRECA Medical Plan SMM
Co-ops will receive one SMM for each type of NRECA Medical Plan they offer that reflect:

• July 1 changes made by CVS Caremark^®, NRECA’s pharmacy benefit manager, to the NRECA Medical Plan’s list of specialty drugs subject to quantity limits as outlined in Chapter 6 of the summary plan description (SPD).
• A notification that changes have been made to CVS Caremark’s Performance Drug List, Medications Requiring Prior Authorization for Medical Necessity, and High-deductible Health Plan (HDHP) Preventive Therapy Drug List. These changes are effective July 1 and were listed in the May 17, 2023 NRECA Employee Benefits Weekly.
• The end of the COVID-19 Outbreak Period and related plan flexibilities, as announced in the May 3, 2023 NRECA Employee Benefits Weekly.

Non-Medical Plan SMM
Co-ops will also receive one consolidated SMM that covers all non-medical plans in the Group Benefits Program. This SMM explains the end of the COVID-19 Outbreak Period and related plan flexibilities, which were announced in the May 3, 2023 NRECA Employee Benefits Weekly,

After downloading the consolidated SMM, follow these steps for each subgroup at your co-op:

• By August 30, 2023, distribute one copy to any individual in that subgroup who is enrolled in one or more of the plans listed at the top of the SMM.

Other distribution guidelines
Be sure to give both SMMs to new plan participants with the appropriate SPD. COBRA plan participants, retirees, surviving dependents and any children under a qualified medical child support order who do not reside with your employee must receive their own copy.

Review the standing distribution rules on the BA Guide to learn about acceptable distribution methods. As the final step of your distribution process, please acknowledge distributing your SMMs right away. Participants with questions about prescription drug coverage changes may call CVS Caremark Customer Care at 888.796.7322. If you have questions about downloading or locating your SMMs, call the Member Contact Center at 866.673.2299. For all other SMM questions, call the benefits compliance team at 866.673.2299, option 7, or email group.compliance@nreca.coop.