|
Certifying Officer Letters 2004
December 2004
Chapter 113 Salary Limits Under Chapter 113, P.L. 1997, the amount of compensation (salary) used to determine member contributions and benefits,for the State-administered pension systems listed below, may not exceed the compensation limitation of section 401(a)(17) of the federal Internal Revenue Code. This compensation (salary) limitation is adjusted annually, based upon cost of living increases. The compensation limitation for 2005 will be $210,000. In other words, under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, Section 401(a)(17), for the "qualified" defined benefit plans listed below [401(a)(2)], the current federal ceiling on pensionable salary ($205,000 in 2004) applies to the base salaries of members of these pension plans. Salary earned by a member in excess of this amount is not pensionable; that is, it may not be used in determining member contributions and benefits. Change To Member Contribution Pension Rates - Teachers' Pension And Annuity Fund Effective the first payday on or after January 1, 2005, the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) member contribution rate will return to the normal rate of 5%. Retroactive increases paid on or after January 1, 2005 should be deducted at 5% including any portion of the retroactive salary that covered a period prior to January 1, 2005. Change To Member Contribution Pension Rates - Public Employees' Retirement System Chapter 415, P.L. 1999 reduced the pension rate for members of the Public Employees' Retirement System from 4.5% to 3%. Effective the first payday on or after July 1, 2004, the Public Employees' Retirement System (State Employees) member contribution rate returned to the normal rate of 5%. The previous reduction in the member rate for the PERS was authorized by statute and was based on the existence of surplus pension assets in the retirement system. However, also per statute when there are no longer surplus pension assets, the member rate for PERS will return to the normal rate of 5% Retroactive increases paid on or after July 1, 2004, should be deducted at 5%, including any portion of the retroactive salary that covered a period prior to July 1, 2004. Your 4th
quarter 2004 Report of Contributions file, applicable to the Teachers'
Pension and Annuity Fund, Public Employees' Retirement System, and
Police and Firemen's Retirement System, is due on or before January
10, 2005. Your final December 2004 contribution remittance, which
represents the pension and contributory insurance deductions due
for the balance of the quarter, should be made through the Transmittal
Electronic Payments System (TEPS). The portion of the remittance
for total pension deductions should reflect the sum of normal pension
contributions, back deductions, loan payments, and arrears/purchase
deductions. Your TEPS remittance is also due by With the Report of Contributions file, you must complete and return the Transmittal Summary form for the 4th quarter 2004. This document is used to assist your office and this Division in reconciling your transmittal remittances to the quarterly Report. The Control and Certification form must also accompany your quarterly tape Report. This is essential as it attests to the accuracy and validity of the submitted documentation. If your quarterly Report and total contributions are not received in a timely manner, we cannot update the pension accounts of your employees. This may adversely affect any claim for benefits, including loan applications, filed by your employees. Also, any delay affects our scheduling in posting contributions to all members' accounts as well as the mailing of Reports of Contributions for the following quarter. A tape Report of Contributions will be considered received when it is submitted in an acceptable format, passes all data processing edits, and can be used to update members' accounts. Interest will be assessed, as prescribed by statute and administrative code, when monthly transmittal remittances and the quarterly Report of Contributions are not received within fifteen days of the due dates. SACT Tax-Sheltered Annuity - Remittance Of 403(b) Contributions Chapter 247, P.L. 1999 requires 403(b) salary reductions on behalf of an employee to be transmitted and credited within five business days from the pay date. Members of the Public Employees' Retirement System, Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund and Police and Firemen's Retirement System in the Supplemental Annuity (SACT) Tax Sheltered Annuity Program are required to have 403(b) salary reductions remitted to the Division of Pensions and Benefits within the timeframes prescribed by law. Contributions for these members will be made through the Transmittal Electronic Payments System (TEPS). Please note that the full quarterly SUPPLEMENTAL ANNUITY contribution must be submitted prior to the processing of your report of contributions. If the full contribution is not submitted, it may be necessary to refund any supplemental annuity contributions sent in for the quarter. This could adversely affect your employees' retirement savings. Reporting Actual Salaries For Part-Time Employees (Rule Change N.J.A.C. 17:2-4.7) The Public Employees' Retirement System's Board of Trustees adopted a rule change for N.J.A.C. 17:2-4.7, that became effective on January 1, 2000. The amendment requires reporting districts to use the actual creditable salary earned by employees, and not estimated salary, for part-time hourly, on-call and per diem employees. The enrollment criteria for part-time hourly, on-call, and per diem employees remains unchanged. However, once membership is established, an employee must only meet the $1,500 minimum salary regulation to continue membership; the number of hours worked in a month or a year is no longer applicable. This provides greater equity in granting service credit. A member is entitled to a month of service as long as the actual creditable salary being reported exceeds the monthly minimum for enrollment. In other words, when a 10-month member has a monthly reportable salary exceeding $150 (one tenth of $1,500), the member should be reported for that month. Similarly, $125 (one twelfth of $1,500) is the minimum monthly reportable salary for a 12-month member. If the member does not make $1,500 in the current calendar year, and is not expected to make $1,500 in the following year, that employee is no longer eligible for the retirement system. TEPS - Transmittal Shortage Payments The Division
sends transmittal shortage statements when the sum of the transmittal
remittances does not equal the due figure on the quarterly Report
of Contributions. Transmittal shortage statement payments can only
be paid through TEPS. Checks received for payment of transmittal
shortages will be returned. If you have questions related to TEPS,
contact the TEPS Helpline at Changing Banking Information For TEPS Notice of Changes for TEPS should be submitted to the Division of Pensions and Benefits on or after the date that the new checking account becomes effective. Every Notice of Change is verified to ensure that the Division has the correct banking information. This normally takes 12 to 15 days. Statements Of Overages/Shortages Overage and shortage statements, which affect a member's Annuity Savings Fund, identify whether or not the pension contributions are subject to the 414(h) provision. These statements should be reviewed to determine when adjustments are required to your payroll records in calculating year-to-date mandatory pension contributions under 414(h). Please note that all member shortages are to be paid by separate check. Do not remit through TEPS. Should you have any questions or need assistance in completing the Report, please telephone Peter Groffie at (609) 984-4807. Enclosures:
December 2004
This memorandum
has pertinent information concerning the completion of your Report
of Contributions (ROC). Please Chapter 113 Salary Limits Under Chapter
113, P.L. 1997, the amount of compensation (salary) used to determine
member contributions and benefits, In other words,
under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, Section 401(a)(17),
for the "qualified" defined benefit plans Change
To Member Contribution Pension Rates - Public Employees' Retirement
System - Effective
January 1, 2005, the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
member contribution rate for local Member Rates Remain Unchanged For 4th Quarter 2004 - Chapter 415, P.L. 1999 reduced the pension rate for members of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) from 4.5% to 3%. The pension rate for calendar year 2004 will remain at 3% for PERS local government employees. Change
To Member Contribution Pension Rates - Teachers' Pension And Annuity
Fund - Effective
January 1, 2004, the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF)
member contribution rate for local TEPS Please note that the only payments that should be submitted through TEPS are for monthly transmittal and appropriation payments. Employee shortages are not to be submitted through TEPS. Effective July
30, 2004, you were able to access TEPS through the Internet instead
of calling in your payments. The fax number
and address that you use to submit the Employer Authorization Forms
to the Division of Pensions and Deadline For Filing All ROCs must be postmarked by January 10, 2005, to be considered timely filed. It must be
noted that these deadlines are established to provide for the timely
updating of member accounts each quarter. In recent years
more and more employers have been delivering their ROCs to us later
and later. However, we have extended When you receive
your quarterly ROC, you should review it immediately. If
you think you will have a problem in meeting TOP 5 REPORTING AND PAYMENT ERRORS
Should you have any questions or need assistance in completing the ROC, please telephone us at (609) 292-3630. Enclosures: December 2004
The enclosed
Report of Salary Change lists those members projected on your fourth
quarter 2004 Report of Contributions. Do not add any
members (i.e., new enrollments, transfers, employees returning from
leave of absence) or reflect any You should insert
only the member's quarterly base salary, rounded to
the nearest dollar for January, February, and Project
only three full months of contractual base salary even if an employee
will be on leave of absence There is sometimes
a delay in a municipality adopting its new budget, and although
salary changes are effective The Division
will furnish a Report of Salary Change for any quarter upon request.
To avoid delays in submitting your To project the
salaries on your first quarter 2005 Report of Contributions, the
changes must be received no later than In Summary
Effective January 1, 2005, the member contribution rate will return to the normal rate of 5% for local government employees enrolled in the PERS. The previous reduction in the member rate for the PERS was authorized by statute and was based on the existence of surplus pension assets in the retirement system. However, also per statute, when there are no longer surplus pension assets, the member rate for PERS w ill return to the normal rate of 5%. Since excess assets no longer exist in the PERS for local government members, please be sure to deduct the 5% rate for base salary reported on or after January 1, 2005. Retroactive increases in base salary paid on or after January 1, 2005, must have corresponding pension contributions deducted at the 5% rate; including any portion of the retroac tive salary that covered a period prior to January 1, 2005. November 29, 2004
Recent changes
in the state licensing regulations allowed districts to use retired
teachers and administrators to serve as mentors for new teachers.
We have recently received information from the Division of Pensions
and Benefits that such employment could violate the earnings threshold
established in statute for the Teachers' Pensions and Annuity Fund
(TPAF). This violation could jeopardize either their earnings or
benefits and result in a requirement to make restitution to the
state for any pension payments made during the employment period.
The stipend
for mentoring is $550 for traditional route provisional teacher
mentors and $1000 for alternate route provisional teacher mentors.
The Division of Pensions and Benefits has advised the Department
of Education that all retired mentor teachers making more that $499
would fall under the definition in the statute.
The State Health Benefits Commission has authorized the extension of the Employee Dental Plans to State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) participating employers effective January 1, 2005. Local government and education employers that offer SHBP medical plan coverage to their employees may now offer the same dental plans to their employees that are currently offered to active State employees. Participating SHBP employers may adopt the Employee Dental Plans for their active employees and their dependents by filing the attached resolution with the Division of Pensions and Benefits, State Health Benefits Bureau. Employers with less than 250 employees must file a completed resolution to participate in the Employee Dental Plans at least 75 days prior to the effective date of coverage. Employers with 250 or more employees must file at least 90 days prior to the desired effective date of coverage. Employers electing to participate must remain in the Employee Dental Plans for at least 12 consecutive months. If you elect to participate in the Employee Dental Plans, your employees will have a choice between two types of dental plans:
Dental Expense Plan The Dental Expense Plan is a traditional indemnity, fee-for-service plan administered by Aetna Dental that reimburses covered services provided by any dental provider licensed to practice at a percentage of reasonable and customary fees. There is a $50 per person annual deductible, maximum of $150 per family, which must be met before reimbursements are made. The deductible is waived for diagnostic, preventive, and orthodontic services. The plan covers preventive, basic restorative, and major restorative services at different levels and orthodontic services are eligible only up to a limited amount. The Dental Expense Plan has a passive network of dentists who have agreed to accept a discounted fee for services. If an employee uses a network provider, the fee for the service will generally be lower than that charged by an out-of-network dentist so the employee's costs will be lower. The plan is described in greater detail in the enclosed Fact Sheet #37, SHBP Employee Dental Plans. Dental Plan Organizations (DPOs) DPOs contract with a network of providers for dental services and employees enrolling in these plans must use providers participating with the DPO to receive coverage. As long as the employee uses a DPO dentist, diagnostic and preventive services are covered in full. Most other eligible expenses require a copayment. Orthodontic treatment is covered for both children and adults. For more information on DPOs, refer to the enclosed Fact Sheet #37, SHBP Employee Dental Plans. The State Health Benefits Commission currently contracts with 10 DPOs as follows:
Employee Dental Plans Member Handbook The SHBP publishes a handbook detailing the dental plan benefits. A newly revised SHBP Employee Dental Plans Member Handbook - that includes benefits to local government and education employees - will be available to enrolled members in January 2005. Prior to publication, employers and employees may consult the current State Group Dental Program Member Handbook which describes benefits that are identical to the 2005 plan year benefits with the following exceptions:
The member handbook is available for viewing online from a link at the SHBP home page: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/shbp.htm Employer Participation in the Employee Dental Plans The rules established by the State Health Benefits Commission for participation in the Employee Dental Plans are generally the same as for the SHBP medical plans with the following exceptions.
Employee Dental Plans Cost The Employee Dental Plans are being offered to local employers at the same rates the State pays. If over the next few years there appears to be a significant difference in the utilization of the State group verses the local employer group, separate rates will be developed. A rate chart for calendar year 2005 is attached. If a participating local employer does not pay 100 percent of the cost of coverage in the Employee Dental Plans, the employee's share of the cost may be determined by a formula different from that used to determine their cost for medical coverage, provided that the employee's share of the cost for dental coverage is not more than 50 percent. For employee contribution purposes only, the DPO rates are calculated in aggregate, that is, the employee contribution for DPO coverage is the same regardless of the DPO selected. The State Health Benefits Commission determines DPO premium rates based upon the value of services provided. Plans of higher value receive higher premiums. The use of a DPO composite rate prevents adverse selection by employees against the better performing (and more expensive) plans. The 50 percent maximum employee contribution and the DPO composite rate are provided in the attached rate chart. Retiree Dental Expense Plan The State Health Benefits Commission will also offer a Retiree Dental Expense Plan to State and Local SHBP retirees effective January 1, 2005. All retirees eligible for enrollment in the SHBP will be offered an opportunity to enroll in this new dental coverage. Generally, retirees will be enrolled on a retiree-pay-all basis, although participating employers may elect to pay all or a portion of the cost of post-retirement dental coverage for eligible retirees. Information about this plan is available in Fact Sheet #73, Retiree Dental Expense Plan, which is available on our Web site at: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions For More Information General information about the SHBP Dental Plans can be found on the SHBP Web site at: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/shbp.htm If you have specific questions about the plans, employers can call the Employer Hotline at (609) 292-5353 (select option 1 when prompted for the D
ental Plan mailbox), or e-mail the Division of Pensions and Benefits at: pensions.nj@treas.state.nj.us Enclosures September 2004
We are very pleased to announce that we have enhanced the Transmittal Electronic Payment System (TEPS) so you may remit your State Health Benefits (SHBP) payments electronically. The Active Employer and Retired Employer Group payments, if applicable, can be processed by using the Internet or placing a toll free telephone call. All employers' remittances must be made through the TEPS program beginning December 27, 2004. After this date, paper checks will not be accepted. TEPS is a safe and efficient system that allows you to authorize payments from your bank account to the Division of Pension and Benefits.
To implement this system for SHBP, employer must complete the attached Employer Authorization Form for each employer identification number. Be sure to follow the instructions and attach an original voided blank bank check and return the completed document in the enclosed envelope. The Employer Authorization Form is also available on the Division's Web site. If you have Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or higher, the form can be completed on line an printed. All forms must be signed by the Certifying Officer and dated. You must submit your form with a voided check to P.O. Box 9581, Trenton, NJ 08650-9581 or you may fax the form and voided check to (720) 332-0039. Please allow fourteen to twenty-one days for the enrollment process. When this is complete, you will receive a Welcome Packet that contains a welcome letter, a temporary password, and easy instructions on how to use the TEPS System. For the Internet payment method, the TEPS Web site has a user friendly program that will guide you through the payment, inquiry, or payment cancellation processes. If you have any questions about the enrollment process, please contact Customer Service at the TEPS Helpline at (888)-835-3345 between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We appreciate your cooperation in complying with the new procedure. Thank you for your participation.
The State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Open Enrollment Period for local government employees will begin on October 1, 2004 and end on November 1, 2004. All changes to coverage made during this open enrollment will be effective on January 1, 2005. Completed employer-certified health benefit and/or dental applications should be forwarded to the Health Benefits Bureau as soon as they are received from employees. The last day that certified applications may arrive at the Health Benefits Bureau to be effective for the start of the new plan year is November 8, 2004. In keeping with its current policy, the SHBP will not provide health fairs during this year's open enrollment period. RATES FOR 2005 The State Health Benefits Commission has approved new health and prescription drug plan rates for the 2005 plan year. These rates are based upon the recommendation of the Commission's actuarial consultant, Milliman USA. Since the SHBP self-funds most of its plans, the claims experience used in projecting 2005 costs are based upon the actual claims experience of the group. Health benefit costs for many employer-sponsored plans continued to experience double digit increases in 2004, although there are signs of moderation. For the SHBP, we are pleased to report that favorable claims experience for 2003 and 2004 has helped to produce medical plan rate increases for the 2005 plan year that are somewhat lower than emerging trends. For the Employee Prescription Drug Plan, although emerging trends continue in the double digits, increases were suppressed by a large number of highly utilized drugs coming off patent, going generic or over-the-counter, resulting in a rate increase for the Plan of only 8.4%. Many industry experts predict that health care costs will begin to moderate over the next few years due to some restraint in hospital costs and stabilization of drug costs, but caution that double digit rate increases remain a possibility for many employer-sponsored health plans. Effective January 1, 2005, SHBP plan rates for the Local Government Active Group will see the following aggregate percentage of increase:
MEDICAL AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN CHANGES
DENTAL PLAN INFORMATION
A description of the plan and a chart outlining the benefits of the new Retiree Dental Expense Plan is available in Fact Sheet #73, Retiree Dental Expense Plan, which can be found on our Web site at: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions RETIREE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN INFORMATION In accordance with the provisions of the pilot Retiree Prescription Drug Plan under NJ PLUS and the Traditional Plan, effective January 1, 2005, retail pharmacy copayments for a 30-day supply will increase to $7 for generic drugs; $14 for preferred brand name drugs; and $29 for all other brand name prescription drugs. The mail order copayments for a 90-day supply will increase to $7 for generic drugs, $21 for preferred brand name drugs, and $36 for all other brand name prescription drugs. The out-of-pocket maximum will increase to $552. OPEN ENROLLMENT INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS MILESTONES - Enclosed is a milestone chart that lists the critical dates of the open enrollment period and outlines the efforts being made to educate employees. Please use this chart as a checklist to guide your activities during open enrollment. RATE CHARTS - Enclosed you will find approved rates for SHBP health and prescription drug plans. We have included rate charts for employers with and without prescription drug coverage. The listed rates are effective January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005. HEALTH CAPSULE - The Health Capsule newsletter announces the SHBP Open Enrollment Period to employees and presents important information and changes that may affect their benefit selection. A sample is enclosed for your review. The newsletters are scheduled for delivery to Local employers in mid-September. Please distribute them to your employees prior to the start of the open enrollment period. HEALTH PLAN CONTACTS - Also included in this mailing is a listing of marketing contacts for the various health and dental plans. Use these contacts to obtain provider directories or other plan specific literature. (These telephone numbers are not for member services. Please do not give these telephone numbers to your employees.) NEW HEALTH PLAN APPLICATIONS - Enclosed you will find a copy of the most current application for SHBP health plans (including prescription drug coverage). The application is also available for download from the SHBP home page. For this open enrollment period, the Health Benefits Bureau will continue to accept employer-certified changes to SHBP plans on either this newly revised application or the former Local Employer Group application. Note: A separate application is used for enrollment in the SHBP Employee Dental Plans, and will be forwarded to those employers who adopt the plan. HEALTH PLAN COMPARISON CHARTS - The SHBP Plan Comparison Chart for Local Government/Educational Active Employees and All Retirees is currently being printed and copies will be shipped to employers for the start of the open enrollment period. SUMMARY PROGRAM DESCRIPTION (SPD) BOOKLET - The SHBP Summary Program Description has been revised for the 2005 plan year. The booklet is currently being printed and copies will be shipped to employers for the start of the SHBP Open Enrollment Period. The SPD is also available for viewing over the Internet at: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/shbp.htm PLAN HANDBOOKS - The SHBP's member handbooks for the Traditional Plan, NJ PLUS, the Employee Prescription Drug Plan, and the SHBP Dental Plans are being revised for the 2005 plan year. New editions will be available in January 2005 for plan enrollees. ONLINE INFORMATION The SHBP's plan comparisons, member handbooks, newsletters, and rate information are available over the Internet at the State Health Benefits Program home page: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/shbp.htm Web-based presentations on the SHBP Open Enrollment Period will also be available for both employers and employees during the open enrollment period. Once open enrollment begins you will find the link on the SHBP home page. Participating provider information for all SHBP medical plans is available in the Unified Provider Directory (UPD). The UPD is an online service that provides a comprehensive listing of health care providers and facilities that deliver their services through one or more of the SHBP's health care plans. Updated monthly, you can access the UPD through the SHBP home page at: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/shbp.htm ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you have any questions about the SHBP Open Enrollment Period or the information in this letter, please contact our Office of Client Services at (609) 292-5353, and select option #2 on the phone. When prompted, leave a message and a representative will return your call. Thank you for your assistance in making the SHBP Open Enrollment Period a success for your employees. Enclosure: September 14, 2004
The State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Open Enrollment Period for local Board of Education employees will begin on October 1, 2004 and end on November 1, 2004. All changes to coverage made during this open enrollment will be effective on January 1, 2005. Completed employer-certified health benefit and/or dental applications should be forwarded to the Health Benefits Bureau as soon as they are received from employees. The last day that certified applications may arrive at the Health Benefits Bureau to be effective for the start of the new plan year is November 8, 2004. In keeping with its current policy, the SHBP will not provide health fairs during this year's open enrollment period. RATES FOR 2005 The State Health Benefits Commission has approved new health and prescription drug plan rates for the 2005 plan year. These rates are based upon the recommendation of the Commission's actuarial consultant, Milliman USA. Since the SHBP self-funds most of its plans, the claims experience used in projecting 2005 costs are based upon the actual claims experience of the group. Health benefit costs for many employer-sponsored plans continued to experience double digit increases in 2004, although there are signs of moderation. For the SHBP, we are pleased to report that favorable claims experience for 2003 and 2004 has helped to produce medical plan rate increases for the 2005 plan year that are somewhat lower than emerging trends. For the Employee Prescription Drug Plan, although emerging trends continue in the double digits, increases were suppressed by a large number of highly utilized drugs coming off patent, going generic or over-the-counter, resulting in a rate increase for the Plan of only 8.4%. Many industry experts predict that health care costs will begin to moderate over the next few years due to some restraint in hospital costs and stabilization of drug costs, but caution that double digit rate increases remain a possibility for many employer-sponsored health plans. Effective January 1, 2005, SHBP plan rates for the Local Education Active Group will see the following aggregate percentage of increase:
MEDICAL AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN CHANGES
DENTAL PLAN INFORMATION
A description of the plan and a chart outlining the benefits of the new Retiree Dental Expense Plan is available in Fact Sheet #73, Retiree Dental Expense Plan, which can be found on our Web site at: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions RETIREE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN INFORMATION In accordance with the provisions of the pilot Retiree Prescription Drug Plan under NJ PLUS and the Traditional Plan, effective January 1, 2005, retail pharmacy copayments for a 30-day supply will increase to $7 for generic drugs; $14 for preferred brand name drugs; and $29 for all other brand name prescription drugs. The mail order copayments for a 90-day supply will increase to $7 for generic drugs, $21 for preferred brand name drugs, and $36 for all other brand name prescription drugs. The out-of-pocket maximum will increase to $552. OPEN ENROLLMENT INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS MILESTONES - Enclosed is a milestone chart that lists the critical dates of the open enrollment period and outlines the efforts being made to educate employees. Please use this chart as a checklist to guide your activities during open enrollment. RATE CHARTS - Enclosed you will find approved rates for SHBP health and prescription drug plans. We have included rate charts for employers with and without prescription drug coverage. The listed rates are effective January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005. HEALTH CAPSULE - The Health Capsule newsletter announces the SHBP Open Enrollment Period to employees and presents important information and changes that may affect their benefit selection. A sample is enclosed for your review. The newsletters are scheduled for delivery to Local employers in mid-September. Please distribute them to your employees prior to the start of the open enrollment period. HEALTH PLAN CONTACTS - Also included in this mailing is a listing of marketing contacts for the various health and dental plans. Use these contacts to obtain provider directories or other plan specific literature. (These telephone numbers are not for member services. Please do not give these telephone numbers to your employees.) NEW HEALTH PLAN APPLICATIONS - Enclosed you will find a copy of the most current application for SHBP health plans (including prescription drug coverage). The application is also available for download from the SHBP home page. For this open enrollment period, the Health Benefits Bureau will continue to accept employer-certified changes to SHBP plans on either this newly revised application or the former Local Employer Group application. Note: A separate application is used for enrollment in the SHBP Employee Dental Plans, and will be forwarded to those employers who adopt the plan. HEALTH PLAN COMPARISON CHARTS - The SHBP Plan Comparison Chart for Local Government/Educational Active Employees and All Retirees is currently being printed and copies will be shipped to employers for the start of the open enrollment period. SUMMARY PROGRAM DESCRIPTION (SPD) BOOKLET - The SHBP Summary Program Descripti | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||