Greetings, and if we haven’t crossed paths before, I’m Stacey Rodgers, Director of Health & Welfare Plans for North America. Each year Open Enrollment brings changes that you need to be aware of to make informed decisions. So, let’s talk about the usual topics of plans and costs, learn about our new prescription partner and, sprinkle in a little politics as it relates to healthcare reform.
I am pleased to announce that our medical plans will stay the same with both the Basic and Enhanced PPOs being offered through Anthem and Cigna in 2017. In addition, there is no change next year to deductibles and copays for any of the medical plans. Nevertheless, we will need to make some adjustments to payroll contributions for 2017. For a look at the plans impacted, please see the chart in Article 1.
Pearson Benefits is always looking for partners who provide the highest level of service, save you and the company money, and demonstrate a strong commitment to health. With that in mind, we are pleased to introduce CVS Caremark™ as your prescription plan administrator effective January 1, 2017. We’ve chosen to work with CVS Caremark™ for several reasons, among them their 67,000 pharmacy network including those in Target stores, and its commitment to a culture of health with actions such as banning the sale of tobacco products in its pharmacies. To learn more about our new partner and what you need to know about this change, please see Article 2.
With a presidential race underway, along with many seats in Congress in contention, we don’t know what the political landscape will look like after November or what changes might occur, so we must plan ahead based on the current healthcare legislation. That journey will likely include additional changes to our benefits in the near future.
Despite all the financial considerations, the bottom line here is about your well-being. It’s about being healthy and doing all you can to prevent or diagnose serious illnesses early. It’s also about times when, even if you’ve been doing everything right, illness may strike. That’s when you can rest easy knowing your benefits through Pearson are here to support you.
Be well,
Stacey Rodgers
Director, Health & Welfare Plans, North America