Updated May 11, 2022
Hello, Accend Family!
We have several important announcements to make. It has been awhile since we published a newsletter, mostly because the straw poll we took last November indicated little interest and very low readership. That does not mean we won't keep publishing updates, but we may do so less frequently than in the past.
Do I Have the Right Health Insurance?
Who should consider our high deductible (HSA) plans?
Consider a high deductible plan if you
- are healthy and rarely get sick or injured
- are willing to open an HSA and make monthly contributions (perhaps from your premium savings by switching from the low deductible plan) at a minimum)
- have at least some savings to pay for unexpected health care costs that occur early in your participation in the plan (before you’ve built up your HSA account).
Who should consider our low deductible plan?
Low deductible plans have higher premiums but might be the right choice if you:
- take expensive prescription drugs
- need to see your physician more frequently due to a chronic condition
- plan to undergo a reparative surgery such as a hip replacement
- participate in high-risk sporting activities
- are pregnant or planning to get pregnant
- have small children.
Notes from the Director
Health Insurance Open Enrollment
Health Insurance open enrollment is right around the corner (May 23-June 3). If you are not currenlty enrolled and are eligible, consider signing up. If you are currently enrolled, consider looking at the different plan options we offer and considering whether or not you are buying the right plan. See the tips to the right and also consider the following:
- By moving from the 3 For Free Plan to one of the HSA plans, you become eligible to contribute to an HSA with pre-tax earnings.
- If you do change plans, the premium savings you realize can be the seed money for your HSA.
- Your contributions to your HSA are yours for life and are never taxed if you use them for qualified health care expenses.
- We match your HSA contributions at up to $100/month or $50/month and our match is also yours to keep.
Some studies show that 80% of consumers do not have the right insurnance plan and are paying too much for their health care as a result. Get informed, ask questions, do your research, and do the math.
TeleDoc
Have you used this service? It is a tremendous bargain. Instead of calling your doctor to schedule an appointment, wait, make arrangments to go to the clinic, or go to the Urgent Care, you can contact a licensed physician 24/7/365 for help with general consultation. You can also schedule a mental health therapy appointment (free of charge) with 24 hours notice if you need. Free of charge!
Check out this informational video about Teledoc services here. (Ignore the start and other dates in this video. The service remains in place today and for next year's health insurance benefits.) Pay attention especially to how many Teledoc services are free. No charge to you, your deductible, or HSA. Wow!
And remember, if you are a health insurance participant, many mental health therapy services are free with TeleDoc betwen 7 AM and 9 PM daily. Another wow!
Minnesota Frontline Worker Pay (tax-free cash in your pocket, with thanks from the State of Minnesota)
If you worked for Accend between March 15, 2020, and June 30, 2021, and provided face-to-face services to clients, you may be eligible for Frontline Worker Pay, which some are calling "Hero Pay." We like this term. You all who have been with us throughout it all have been heroes in this pandemic! Governer Walz and the state legislature also appreciate you and make this benefit available to you with their thanks. And from what we know, you do not need to be a resident of Minnesota to receive this benefit, just someone who worked here providing qualifying services.
We don't have all the details yet, but some information about this can be found here at the Mn Frontline Worker Web Page and here in an informational document about this benefit. If you want to keep up to date on this on yoiur own, you can sign up for email updates from the links provided in this paragraph.
Meanwhile, we will send updates and information as we get it.