February 2011 Newsletter
CANCER CARE CHANGES
As a reminder, any new employees with benefit eligible effective dates starting March 1 or later will pay the new premiums for CancerCare Elite policy. USAble needs to make rate adjustments to the policy because of increased costs associated with recent medical advances.
These changes will affect employees who currently have this coverage; however, the changes will not happen until your USAble anniversary date. We’ll keep you updated with information from USAble as your anniversary date approaches.
If you need new applications, please contact our office.
SEND ME YOUR TOPICS FOR NISI NEWS
We want to provide information that is relevant to your needs. What topics would you like to learn more about? What information would help you? Send your topics to Cari Hintgen at cari.hintgen@noridian.com or call 800-575-9643.
ONLINE ENROLLMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE
NISI wants to meet your enrollment needs. We want you to be aware of the technology features we have available in addition to our current enrollment process. Online enrollment makes it easier to reach out-of-state employees, and online enrollment provides a way for employees to look at their benefits at their convenience or to view benefits from home with their spouses. In addition, it also offers a green solution for our environment.
If online enrollment would work better for your employees or even a segment of employees, contact our office.
PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS DETAILS
It’s important to make sure what you’re deducting from Payroll matches with the billed amount. Please take time to reconcile your bills. This can save you money, if you are paying bills for employees who are no longer with the company. If you have questions, call our office.
HOW TO DELETE TERMINATED EMPLOYEES ON YOUR USABLE BILL
As soon as you know when an employee will be terminating employment, e-mail USAble at maintenance@usablelife.com. You will need to include the effective date and product. Notifying USAble before the bill has been sent will help to ensure you receive a clean bill for the following month. Please continue to include your Adjustment sheet with your bill with a note as to when you e-mailed the changes. Please also use this process after your annual enrollments to update any cancellations.
WHERE TO FIND ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS AND FORMS
Our website is a great source of answers to commonly asked questions as well as forms you may need. If you’re unsure how to file a claim or what to do when an employee gets married, divorced or changes their address, you’ll find answers in our Common Questions Section. If we’re missing a question that you’d like added to the list, please let us know.
If you’re having trouble finding claims forms, please visit the Forms Section. You can find forms for these categories.
- Cancer and/or Specified Disease Claim
- Accident Claim
- Hospital Indemnity and/or ICU Claim
- Short-Term Disability Claim
- Long-Term Disability Claim
- Critical Illness Claim
- Life Claim – 10 Year Term or Universal Life Insurance
- Lincoln Mutual Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance
If you can’t find the claim forms you need, call 800-575-9643 or 701-277-2049.
NEW VISA BENEFITS DEBIT CARD FROM DISCOVERY BENEFITS
This year, several clients converted to Discovery Benefits new VISA Benefits Debit Card, an advanced and highly integrated debit card system. Here are a few changes Discovery Benefits would like to remind you of:
- Participants will need to use their new debit cards to access their funds for the January 2011 plan year.
- You will now notice transactions from UMB, the new Visa Benefit card provider, if you allow Discovery Benefits to pull claims directly from your bank account.
- Enhanced reporting now allows you to view ongoing daily reports detailing debit card transactions.
ONE-THIRD OF WORK FORCE AT RISK FOR DISABILITY
Many employees have an ostrich-like attitude toward disability. They often ignore the possibility of disability occurring in their lives. Sadly, this type of thinking can leave employees unprepared should they have a freak accident. According to the Council for Disability Awareness, back injuries, cancer, heart disease and other illnesses cause the majority of long-term absences.
Almost one-third of Americans entering the work force today will become disabled before they retire, reports the Council for Disability Awareness. That’s why disability insurance is so important to employees and their families. Contact our office on how you can make this product available on a voluntary basis.
EMPLOYEES NEED LONG-TERM CARE COVERAGE
More baby boomers are staying in the workforce due to rising health costs and economic uncertainty, according to National Business Group on Health. Baby boomers are often called upon to help others needing care. A recent study found that 73 percent of caregivers held down jobs some time while caring for a family member.
As a result, employers may experience increased absenteeism and presenteeism.
If you are interested in offering Long-Term Care as a group benefit, contact Group Long-Term Care Benefit Consultant Rhonda Peterson at 701-282-1595 or 866-392-4834. This benefit does not have to cost the employer any dollars and there is no need to do payroll deductions to receive a group discount.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Don't know whom to contact? This handy list contains contact information that you might need.
USAble Life
USAble Customer Service: 800-648-0271
USAble Wellness Fax: 501-235-8400
Lincoln Mutual
Lincoln Mutual Customer Service: 800-279-0475
Discovery Benefits Inc.
Discovery Benefits: 866-451-3399
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY
February is American Heart Month. In 2009, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. Sadly, one person will die from a coronary event about every 60 seconds. Employees can reduce their risk of heart disease by following these steps:
- Be more physically active
- Improve dietary habits
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Seek help to quit smoking
February is National Children's Dental Health Month. Good oral health habits are best started at an early age. NISI offers both group dental and voluntary dental plans.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MARCH
March is Save Your Vision Month. Many employees spend a large portion of their workday at their computers. To find tips on how to help promote good vision, visit the American Optometric Association.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cancer killer in the U.S, according to the American Gastroenterological Association. More than 90 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer can be prevented by healthy lifestyles and following recommendations for regular screenings. Sadly, many of these cancer cases and cancer deaths could be prevented if more people were screened. Contact me for more information about voluntary cancer plans.
March is National Kidney Month. More than 26 million Americans older than age 20 have chronic kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Diabetes is the No. 1 cause of kidney failure, and uncontrolled or poorly controlled high blood pressure is the No. 2 cause. Kidney diseases are a major cause of lost productivity, physician visits and hospitalizations.
Get an RSS feed of this newsletter 
Learn more about RSS feeds
Help