Open Enrollment for 2009 Voluntary Benefits

                               Now through February 16th

Open Enrollment for the Synod's Voluntary Benefits through AFLAC and Reliance Life Insurance is being held Now through February 16th.  Any employee wishing to add or make changes to their current voluntary benefits should do so now.

The Synod's voluntary benefits are available to all employees working 20 or more hours per week for a church or related organization with the Synod of the Pacific's bounds.  The employing church or related organization must secure its medical or dental insurance through the Synod in order for its employees to purchase voluntary benefits.

JOIN OUR WEBEX TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THESE VOLUNTARY PLANS

Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 2:00 p.m. pacific time

Call (866) 469-3239, Meeting number 805 466 533, no password required

Also Join on the Web at https://heffgroup.webex.com/heffgroup/j.php?ED=103856417&UID=81696042

Enter your name and e-mail address, no password required, then click "Join Now"

To read the current Synods Benefits Service Newsletter or about the benefits being offered by AFLAC click on each link.

Applications may be faxed to the Synod Office at (707) 765-4467 or mailed to 200 Kentucky Street, Suite B, Petaluma, California  94952. All applications must be received no later than February 16th.

Should you have any questions, please call Carolyn Linzner or Ann Butterfield, Synod Benefits, at (800) 754-0669.

                                                Synod of the Pacific

Group Health Benefits Services

The Synod of the Pacific offers comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance coverage along with many voluntary benefits such as a 125 Flexible Spending Account, and several AFLAC plans, to all of its lay employees who work twenty hours or more per week. There are no physical examinations and no exclusions for pre-existing conditions.

The Synod has several medical plans it offers: Blue Cross HMO, Blue Cross PPO, and BlueCard HSA PPO plans in California; residents outside California are offered the BlueCard PPO and BlueCard HSA PPO plan.  Each plan includes complete head to toe coverage, a prescription plan and vision benefits; all this, plus competitive pricing too.

Our Self Insured Dental Plan allows you to choose your own dentist.  In addition, there is a dentist Network available, if your provider is part of this network, you can enjoy less out of pocket expenses. All claims billing is done for you by your dentist’s office.

Eligibility l

• You must be an employee of a church or affiliated organization of the Synod of the Pacific, working twenty hours or more per week.
• Lay Employees (and their dependents) are eligible to participate in these programs after a sixty day waiting period, (from “date of hire”).
• Ordained Clergy* may enroll immediately, coverage will begin the first day of the month following their date of hire.  However, if the date of hire is the first day of the month, coverage would begin immediately.
• Coverage must be provided by the employing organization, as part of its standard employee benefits package.
• Employing organizations must provide all employees with fair and equal coverage within each basic employment classification. Basic Employment Classifications are:

                      1.  Ordained Clergy*

                      2.  Non-Ordained Exempt Staff

                                    Christian Education Directors

                                    Business Managers, etc.

                      3.  Non-Exempt Staff

                                    Clerical Staff

                                    Custodians, etc.

• Employing organizations must agree to pay at least the member portion of premiums.
• Dependent coverage may be paid by plan members through pretax payroll deduction.

All terminations must be sent in writing to the Synod office no less than thirty days prior to employees last day. Coverage will end on the last day of the month; there are no pro-rated terminations.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Carolyn Linzner at (800) 754-0669 or by email at carolyn@synodpacific.org.

* The Synod of the Pacific’s Health Benefits are available to Ordained Clergy on a voluntary basis.  Our medical plans do not compete or replace the Board of Pension’s medical plan.  

EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2008

Blue Cross HMO & PPO PLANS     

This information is meant to be a summary of benefits only. Please refer to the plan document for detailed information. If there is a conflict between this information and the plan document, the plan document will prevail.

 EFFECTIVE November 1, 2008