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Annual Change - 

Is OVER for the 2012 Plan Year 

 
The following Annual Change information is applicable to the 2012 plan year which is now over.  Annual Change information for the 2013 plan year will be updated before Annual Change starts in September 2012. 
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During Annual Change, you can make changes to your health, dental, and life insurance.  You may enroll in vision coverage and flexible spending accounts.  You can apply for life insurance, long-term care, and long-term disability.

Quick Information Links 

Annual Change for the 2012 Plan Year -

 Begins on September 21, 2011   - Closes October 26, 2011 

 Presentation Schedule for Employees
 Presentation Schedule for Retirees

 

To attend a live webinar, click here. 
 

Changes made to your benefits during Annual Change become effective on January 1, 2012 (with the exception of Life Insurance plan changes that require approval).  The deadline for making changes is October 26, 2011.  The new contributions will not be deducted until the January 25, 2012 paycheck.

To enroll in your 2012 benefits:

For online access from your work location:

  1. Log into MINE (http://mine.mt.gov)
  2. Select the Employee Self Service link on the Enterprise Menu
  3. Select the Benefits link
  4. Select the Benefits Enrollment link
  5. Click Begin

For online access from home or other public place:

  1. Go to the State Employee Access site at (www.mt.gov/employee)
  2. Select the Employee Self Service Portal link
  3. Log into MINE
  4. Select the Employee Self Service link
  5. Select the Benefits link
  6. Select the Benefits Enrollment link
  7. Click Begin 
 
Verify your benefit elections during the week of November 14, 2011 – instructions below.

For online access from your work location:

  1. Log into MINE (http://mine.mt.gov)
  2. Select the Employee Self Service link on the Enterprise Menu
  3. Select the Benefits link
  4. Select the Benefits Summary link
  5. In the date field, enter 01/01/2012 and click GO

 

For online access from home or other public place:

  1. Go to the State Employee Access site at (www.mt.gov/employee)
  2. Select the Employee Self Service Portal link
  3. Log into MINE
  4. Select the Employee Self Service link
  5. Select the Benefits link
  6. Select the Benefits Summary link
  7. In the date field, enter 01/01/2012 and click GO 

 

The benefits listed will be your benefits for the 2012 Plan Year. NOTE: If you have applications pending approval, coverage is NOT reflected in the Benefits Summary.

If the Benefits Summary is not accurate - not what you selected - for the 2012 plan year, print a copy of the Benefits Summary and make the necessary changes.

Sign the Benefits Summary and return it to the Health Care and Benefits Division (HCBD), PO Box 200130, Helena, MT 59620-0130 postmarked no later than November 28, 2011.

 

How Do I Enroll?

To continue our savings from last year of about $14,000, Annual Change for the 2012 benefit year will be a paperless process. 

Anyone hired after August 27, 2011 must complete the Individual Benefit Statement Form and return it to Health Care & Benefits Division.  Employees retiring after October 1, 2011, must complete the Retiree Benefits Statement Form and return it to  Health Care & Benefits Division. 

 

CAL Tips and Reminders for Human Resources 

If you have a Client Access License (CAL) account set up just for Annual Change, you must change your password immediately after setting up your account.  Follow the password change instructions to reset your password. 

 

State Share Contribution -

The amount the State of Montana contributes toward benefits for state employees.

The state share for 2012 is $733.00/month.

  • Individual Benefit Statements- Employees will elect their benefits through SABHRS Employee Self Service.  The HCBD website has updated  step-by-step instructions to help employees make their online elections.  To view a presentation of the benefits for employees, click this webinar.  Turn up your speakers!  A retiree presentation will be available soon.
     
  • Joint Core Members - can make their benefit elections online!  The only exception to this is if you are joining Joint Core or if you want to delete your Joint Core participation.  To join or remove your partnership, contact Health Care and Benefits Division, (406) 444-7462, (800) 287-8266, TTY (406) 444-1421, or email benefitsquestions@mt.gov.
     
  • Help Stations - Agencies may set up help stations in human resources or payroll offices. 
     
  • Client Access License (CAL) - For employees without access to SABHRS HR Self-Service features, DOA/ITSD has created a special account to allow all active employees to have access. Agency Human Resources staff and Agency Security Officers staff can set up the account by following the CAL Setup Procedures. 

Where Can I Get More Information?

Learn about the benefits available to you by reviewing the Annual Change booklet.

We will also be providing several presentations to inform you about your 2012 benefit options.

To get the most out of your health care benefits, review the schedule of presentations and plan on attending one.

Our webinar presentations are Voice Over Internet (VOI), so you can hear the presentation through your computer speakers. If using speakers, click the X in the audio pop-up which requests your phone number when signing into the webinar. No speakers? Type your phone number including area code in the audio pop-up, and the webinar conference line will call you. 

To view a pre-recorded Annual Change presentation webinar, click here. 
 
For a complete description of the benefits offered to employees, check out our SOME information resource or review the Summary Plan Document.

 

What can we expect for 2013 benefits and rates?

At this time there is only one thing we can reasonably expect to happen:  health care costs will continue to increase.  We (HCBD) are constantly evaluating benefit options and new programs to enhance benefits and help keep those benefits affordable.  Because of the complexity of health care and benefits, it takes time to evaluate the implications of making changes.  Final decisions for 2013 benefits and rates will be made in late August 2012.  In the meantime, we encourage you to become an informed consumer (ask questions and seek alternative treatments) and live a healthy lifestyle (exercise, eat properly, and quit smoking).

 

Questions?

Please direct questions regarding your benefit package to (800) 287-8266, (406) 444-7462, or TTY (406) 444-1421. Due to the high volume of calls during Annual Change, callers will be asked to leave a message.  All calls are returned within 24 hours - our promise to you.