10/20/2023: The Accident Plan premium for employee + child and family plans decreased by $.01. This change was required because of a system limitation. (There is no change for the employee or employee + spouse plans.)
The annual health benefits open enrollment period is September 25 - October 20, 2023.
The annual health benefits open enrollment allows uninsured but eligible employees and retirees to enroll for coverage effective the following January 1. In addition, this is an opportunity for currently insured subscribers (active employees, retirees, and continuants) to change health plans, enroll or remove adult children from family coverage, change from individual to family coverage, change from family to individual coverage, or cancel coverage.
We encourage employees and retirees to electronically submit their enrollment changes via the myETF Benefits Online Health Insurance Enrollment System. Retirees may use myETF Benefits or complete the Health Insurance Application/Change for Retirees (ET-2331) form, which will be included in the 2024 health benefits decision guides mailed to retirees. Employees will find step-by-step information on how to submit an electronic request on ETF’s website. Please see the Employer ’s Application Processing Instructions for 2024 later in this bulletin.
Note: If retirees are electing Medicare Some coverage, they must complete a paper application (ET-2331) and submit it to ETF.
The 2024 health benefits decision guides will be delivered to all employers at the end of September, if requested. The 2024 health benefits web pages will be available online to employers and members before the end of September. Visit etf.wi.gov for open enrollment information.
Please consider using the sample email at the end of this employer news to notify employees of open enrollment and important changes. To comply with federal notification requirements, see the Electronic Distribution of the health benefits guides section later in this bulletin. Since these web pages will not be available until the end of September, please do not send this email to your employees until mid-September.
Local Employer Kickoff Meeting Reminder
Local Insurance Q&A Session Reminder
2024 Virtual Benefits Vendor Forums
Important Plan and Program Changes
Federal Section 1557 Non-Discrimination Information
General Open Enrollment Information
2024 Health Benefits Decision Guides Distribution
Additional Instructions and Information
Local Employer Kickoff Meeting Reminder
Reminder! ETF will host several open enrollment employer kickoff events for local government employers for plan year 2024. All kickoff events will be held virtually. These events will follow a similar agenda as in previous years, and a recording will later be available on the ETF website for viewing anytime.
See the previous employer news for more local employer information and registration links.
Employers must pre-register to attend these events online via webinar. Due to the high demand, please register as soon as possible.
The employer kickoff meeting provides an opportunity to hear from the health plans, pharmacy benefit manager, supplemental plans, wellness vendor (WebMD), and ETF employees about the benefit program changes that are effective January 1, 2024.
Local Insurance Q&A Session Reminder
ETF will host its annual local government employer insurance question and answer session on September 22. All local employers may register to ask ETF staff any insurance (health, life, income continuation insurance) benefit-related questions.
Employers must pre-register to attend this event online via webinar. Due to the high demand, please register as soon as possible.
2024 Virtual Benefits Vendor Forums
ETF is hosting a series of virtual forums for employers and members to connect with benefits vendors during the 2024 open enrollment period. These virtual forums with the vendors will provide the same personal interaction with a vendor as a benefit fair or informational event from the safety of your own home or office.
Additional details and registration information will be provided in the near future. Attendees must pre-register to attend these events online via webinar. Due to the high demand, please register as soon as possible.
Important Plan and Program Changes
Health Plan Changes
New Health Plan: GHC of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW) will split into two separate networks starting January 1, 2024: GHC-SCW Dane Choice and GHC-SCW Neighbors. Both networks will include UW and Meriter hospitals and specialists.
Members currently enrolled in GHC-SCW will automatically be enrolled in GHC-SCW Dane Choice unless they elect to enroll in a different health plan during open enrollment.
GHC-SCW Dane Choice will include current in-network providers in Dane County.
GHC-SCW Neighbors will include current in-network providers in:
- Columbia County
- Grant County
- Iowa County
- Jefferson County
- Juneau County
- Lafayette County
- Sauk County
The State Maintenance Plan (SMP) is offered by Dean Health Plan. SMP will be offered in the following counties:
| Adams | Iron | Price |
| Ashland | Juneau | Richland |
| Bayfield | Langlade | Sauk |
| Burnette | Lincoln | Sawyer |
| Clark | Marathon | Taylor |
| Columbia | Marquette | Vilas |
| Douglas | Menominee | Washburn |
| Florence | Oneida | Waupaca |
| Forest | Polk | Waushara |
| Green | Portage | Wood |
This growth in service area is due to the fact that several health plans that had been tier 1 qualified plans in 2023 are no longer tier 1 qualified in 2024.
Benefit Changes
Medical Benefit Changes: There are several medical benefit changes for plan year 2024, including:
- The annual medical deductible for the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and Access HDHP have increased to comply with federal requirements.
- Individual: increased to $1,600
- Family: increased to $3,200
- Advance care planning and palliative care services have been clarified.
- Removed the expectation that physical, speech, and occupational therapies result in significant improvements for patients within two months of the beginning of treatment.
- Removed the requirement of a 30-day rental of infusion pumps for insulin, pain relievers, and other drugs prior to the purchase of equipment.
- Removed the requirement that members who change health plans during an inpatient stay need to move to a new in-network facility due to the change in the plan provider.
Supplemental Benefit Plans
Accident Plan by Securian Financial: 2024 premium costs are decreasing by 15% from 2023 premiums.
2024 Monthly Premium
| Individual | Individual + Spouse | Individual + Child(ren) | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.72 | $5.32 | $7.16 | $10.46 |
Supplemental Dental by Delta Dental: Delta Dental of Wisconsin will continue to provide dental plans in 2024. In addition to the Uniform Dental Benefit, which is available to those enrolled in health insurance under the Wisconsin Public Employers Group Health Insurance Program, Delta Dental will again be providing three supplemental dental plans in 2024. Returning for 2024 are the Preventive Plan, Select Plan, and Select Plus Plan.
Effective January 1, 2024, supplemental dental premiums will be changing. The Preventive Plan will experience a 4% increase, and the Select Plus Plan will experience a 3% increase. The Select Plan will experience a 7% decrease in premiums. See the tables below for the 2024 premiums.
Employers must opt in by October 20, 2023, to offer this benefit to employees for plan year 2024. If you have questions, please contact ETFsales@deltadentalwi.com or call 715-343-7679.
Note: Employers currently offering this benefit do not need to opt in again. Opt-in elections automatically continue to the subsequent plan year.
Local WRS retirees are eligible for supplemental dental coverage even if their former employer doesn't opt in to the program.
Active Employee 2024 Monthly Dental Rates
| Uniform Dental Benefit | Preventive Plan | Select Plan | Select Plus Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $32.08 | $36.10 | $9.08 | $21.60 |
| Individual + Spouse | n/a | n/a | $18.16 | $43.22 |
| Individual + Child(ren) | n/a | n/a | $12.24 | $40.12 |
| Family | $80.20 | $90.28 | $21.76 | $66.20 |
Retiree 2024 Monthly Dental Rates
| Uniform Dental Benefit | Preventive Plan | Select Plan | Select Plus Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $32.08 | $36.10 | $15.08 | $32.06 |
| Individual + Spouse | n/a | n/a | $30.66 | $64.10 |
| Individual + Child(ren) | n/a | n/a | $20.70 | $59.30 |
| Family | $80.20 | $90.28 | $36.80 | $97.78 |
Vision Plan by DeltaVision: DeltaVision, with EyeMed Vision Care, will continue to provide supplemental vision coverage in 2024.
Employers must opt in by October 20, 2023, to offer this benefit to employees for plan year 2024. If you have questions, please contact ETFsales@deltadentalwi.com or call 715-343-7679.
Note: Employers currently offering this benefit do not need to opt in again. Opt-in elections automatically continue to the subsequent plan year.
Local WRS retirees are eligible for supplemental vision coverage even if their former employer doesn't opt in to the program.
Accident Plan by Securian Financial: Securian Financial will continue to provide supplemental accident coverage in 2024. Premium costs are decreasing by 15% from 2023 premiums.
2024 Monthly Premium
| Individual | Individual + Spouse | Individual + Child(ren) | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.72 | $5.32 | $7.16 | $10.46 |
Employers must opt in by October 20, 2023, to offer this benefit to employees for plan year 2024. If you have questions, please contact MadisonBranch@securian.com or call 866-295-8690.
Note: Employers currently offering this benefit do not need to opt-in again. Opt-in elections automatically continue to the subsequent plan year.
Well Wisconsin Program
The deadline to earn the 2023 Well Wisconsin incentive is October 13, 2023. Participants can choose to receive the $150 prepaid card virtually or by postal mail to their home address.
Participants can learn more about Well Wisconsin at etf.wi.gov/video/well-wisconsin-program or log into their account at webmdhealth.com/wellwisconsin.
Federal Section 1557 Non-Discrimination Information
Reminder: Please notify ETF of requests for health benefit information to be translated into languages other than English. Please share data about which information is being requested and in what language. Send to etfhealthandins@etf.wi.gov.
General Open Enrollment Information
To change health plans or coverage levels or decline dental coverage, employees must submit a completed electronic or paper health insurance application to their employers no later than Friday, October 20, 2023.
Employees may select any health plan regardless of their county of residence, but should consider whether the providers are within a reasonable distance for medical care. The 2024 plan pages under the Health Plan Search page will identify counties covered by each health plan, as well as a listing of their major providers and links to provider directories.
ETF mails health benefits decision guides directly to retirees and former employees who have continued their health insurance coverage. Employees who wish to change health plans and who will retire effective January 1, 2024 or later, must complete their health benefits applications as active employees. Employees who will retire prior to January 1, 2024 should submit their health benefits application to ETF. Changes for retiree and continuant coverage are handled by ETF.
ETF will publish the 88% premium rate tables prior to open enrollment. ETF does not publish the 105% rate tables on the website. Employers may request the 105% rate tables from ETF at etfsmbemployerinsurance@etf.wi.gov; be prepared to discuss which employee group you are using the rates for as these rates should only be used for Public Safety Employees (and their management) under a valid collective bargaining agreement.
The updated Group Health Insurance Application/Change (ET-2301) form can be downloaded from ETF’s Internet site or you may order applications by completing the Online Forms Order page found on the employer forms page on the ETF website. Local employer-paid annuitants should submit the Group Health Insurance Application/Change for Retirees (ET-2331) form, which will be available in the health benefits decision guide and on the ETF website.
2024 Health Benefits Decision Guides Distribution
The 2024 health benefits decision guides must be distributed in a timely manner to all employees. The distribution method (hard copy, link to web version, PDF file) is determined by the employer. It is acceptable for employers to distribute health benefits decision guides using an electronic method. Employee distribution should include:
- Employees who have indicated they do not wish to make a change during the annual open enrollment period.
- Remind these employees that they remain responsible for understanding the information contained in the 2024 health benefits decision guides and on the ETF website, and that their certificate of coverage and schedule of benefits are available on the ETF website. We encourage you to point employees to the enrollment checklist on the inside cover of the Health Benefits Decision Guide for important reminders.
- Insured employees on temporary layoff or leave of absence and those on permanent layoff paying premiums through the employer.
- Employees who allowed health insurance coverage to lapse while on a leave of absence or a temporary layoff that encompassed the entire open enrollment period should be advised they are eligible to make a health benefits election within 30 days of returning from the leave or layoff.
Electronic Distribution of the 2024 Health Benefits Decision Guides
Employers distributing open enrollment information electronically must incorporate the following as part of their electronic distribution procedures:
- Develop a list of all eligible employees and use that list to match against their file of employee email addresses.
- Verify the list and then send the employee an email (see sample email below) with the link to the guides and online information. Employers should send the email with a “return receipt.” This will establish a record of when the employee opened the email.
- Due to federal regulations, employers must retain the list of employees who received an electronic copy of open enrollment materials. For each employee who is sent an email message, the employer should receive a “reject” notice if the email address is no longer in existence.
Note: Distributing links to web versions or PDF files of the health benefits decision guides is acceptable. However, if employees do not have access to a computer and/or request a paper copy, they must be given one.
Employee Responsibilities
Employees must contact health plans directly to request the most up-to-date information regarding service area and/or provider availability related to open enrollment.
Note: When contacting a health plan or Navitus, employees must identify themselves as a Wisconsin Public Employer Group Health Insurance Program subscriber in order to receive information pertinent to the program administered by ETF. It’s also beneficial if they state which program option they are offered; please provide this information to employees.
Health plans often report they are unable to contact current subscribers due to incorrect addresses on file. Please remind employees who participate in the group health insurance program that they are responsible for providing address changes and revisions of other relevant information, such as marital status changes, to you via a myETF Benefits update or the Group Health Insurance Application/Change (ET-2301) form.
Processing Changes
Employers are responsible for keying changes submitted on paper by using the myETF Benefits system found through the Online Tools link found on the ETF website by November 10, 2023. Once mailing addresses are updated, employees will receive provider information in a timely fashion, including information for the annual disabled dependent verification process, which enables dependents who remain eligible in 2024 to continue their current health insurance.
Employer’s Application Processing Instructions
During the open enrollment period, employers have three options for handling requests from their employees:
Employers can require employees to use the Online Network for Members (ONM) site to file their requests through the myETF Benefits system. Employees must submit their electronic request no later than October 20, 2023. ETF strongly encourages employers to direct their employees to use the myETF Benefits system.
Retirees may use myETF Benefits or complete the Health Insurance Application/Change for Retirees (ET-2331) form, which will be included in the 2024 health benefits decision guide. Retirees electing Medicare Some coverage must complete and submit a retiree application (ET-2331) to ETF by October 20, 2023.
Employers may require employees to file their requests by completing a Group Health Insurance Application/Change (ET-2301) form and submit the application to the employer no later than the end of the business day on October 20, 2023. If an employer elects to require a paper application, the employer must enter that application into the myETF Benefits system on behalf of their employee accessed through the Online Tools link on the ETF website. The application is not to be mailed or faxed to ETF for processing and keying. The deadline for employers to enter health benefits applications into the myETF Benefits system is November 10, 2023.
If the employee submits a paper application to their employer, ETF does not require that a copy of the application be submitted to ETF. Employers are not to make entries on behalf of their employee without an application as documentation of the employee’s request. The employer is to maintain a copy of the paper application in the employee’s file.
In summary, either accept an electronic request from an employee or a paper Group Health Insurance Application/Change (ET-2301) form. Again, this is at the employer’s discretion to determine what will be acceptable.
If employers are going to accept a Group Health Insurance Application/Change (ET-2301) form, the following steps in processing the application are required:
- Verify the employee completed the application in its entirety, including signing the application. The application should be promptly returned to the employee if it is incomplete. The application may be signed electronically, as long as the employer can verify the signature. A secure email from the employee stating their intent to apply for health insurance or change their coverage along with a complete health insurance application provided to ETF in the normal manner is acceptable in lieu of a signature.
- Complete the employer section of the application in its entirety. Do not leave requested information blank.
- Return a completed copy of the application to the employee. Do not send a copy of the application to ETF or the health plan.
- All Group Health Insurance Application/Change (ET-2301) forms received by the employer on or prior to October 20, 2023, must be keyed into the myETF Benefits system by November 10, 2023. This deadline must be met by the employer to ensure health plans and Navitus receive the contract information timely so employees receive their health plan information and identification cards prior to January 1, 2024.
Withdrawing/Rescinding a Health Benefits Application
Entry into myETF Benefits of an employee’s request to withdraw or rescind a health benefits application must be completed by ETF. Employees may rescind a 2024 application by notifying their employers in writing prior to December 31, 2023. The written request should be filed with the employee’s records. Forward one copy of the employee’s written request to rescind to ETF. ETF will update myETF Benefits by deleting the request and reinstating the employee’s original coverage.
An employee may also rescind their request by writing “Rescind” across the top of their original application and initialing. Forward a copy of this updated application to ETF for processing and keep a copy for the employee’s file. ETF will update myETF Benefits by deleting the request and reinstating the employee’s original coverage.
Additional Instructions and Information
Specific instructions are found in the Local Employer Health Insurance Standards, Guidelines and Administration Manual (ET-1144):
Information on what to do if you have an employee initially eligible for coverage in November or December.
Instructions on completing the Continuation - Conversion Notice (ET-2311) if you have an employee who terminates employment in November or December after filing a health benefits application.
Information on the process to follow if you receive a late application, an application received after the last day of the open enrollment period. ETF reviews all late requests. Note that documents for late applications can be faxed to 1-608-266-5801, attention Employer Services.
Contact the Employer Communication Center at 1-877-533-5020 with questions or via email at etfhealthandins@etf.wi.gov.
Contacting the Health Plans
The updated Health Plan Contact List (ET-1728) is meant for employers to use when contacting the health plans for assistance with membership, supplies, etc. The contact list includes email addresses and fax numbers when available.
Note that employees who need assistance should contact the health plan directly, using the health plan contact information for members that will be available on the updated health plan pages soon and on the back cover of the decision guides. These are customer service lines and are fully staffed to handle a large number of phone calls. Employees should specify they are enrolled in the Wisconsin Public Employers Group Health Insurance Program when calling the health plans.
Sample Employee Email
You can use the below sample email to provide health benefits information to your employees. You may want to provide a link to your program option’s decision guide.
Important Information about Your Health Benefits for 2024
The annual open enrollment period, which begins on September 25 and ends on October 20, 2023, is right around the corner.
This is your chance to:
- Enroll or make changes to your health insurance.
- Add or decline Uniform Dental (Employer, if you offer Uniform Dental Benefits include this bullet. Strike it from your email if you do not offer Uniform Dental Benefits.)
- Enroll in supplemental dental coverage. (Employer, reminder you must opt in to the Supplemental Dental Program before your employees can register for it. Strike this line from your email if you are not opting in to the program.)
- Enroll in supplemental vision coverage. (Employer, reminder you must opt in to the supplemental vision benefit before your employees can register for it. Strike this line from your email if you are not opting in to the program.)
- New: Enroll in the Securian Accident Plan. (Employer, reminder you must opt in to the Securian Accident Plan before your employees can register for it. Strike this line from your email if you are not opting in to the program.)
Changes you make during open enrollment become effective January 1, 2024.
Your To-Do List:
Visit etf.wi.gov for information about your 2024 benefits.
- Attend a benefit vendor forum. ETF will host a number of forums during the open enrollment period for you to learn about the 2024 plan year. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions directly to health plans and vendors. Visit etf.wi.gov/insurance to register.
- The deadline to submit your electronic request or your completed paper application to your benefits office is 4:30 p.m. on October 20, 2023. (Employer, replace this bullet with information about your electronic enrollment system, and/or alter the deadline time if your office is open later.)
Language assistance is available.