HealthFlex Exchange benefits workshops continue
This month, a series of HealthFlex Exchange Benefit Workshops will continue across the state for those covered by United Methodist conference insurance.
The workshops are designed to help those covered by the conference health plan better understand new changes and what coverage they will need. Many workshops were held in September; they will continue in October.
A workshop was or will be held in all 12 districts of the South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church.
October workshops are as follows:
- Oct. 5—2 p.m., Spartanburg, Bethel UMC, 245 Church St., Spartanburg
- Oct. 5—6:30 p.m., Spartanburg, Bethel UMC
- Oct. 9—2 p.m., Greenville, Buncombe Street UMC, 200 Buncombe St., Greenville
- Oct. 9—6:30 p.m., Greenville, Buncombe Street UMC
- Oct. 10—10 a.m., Florence, Lake City UMC, 229 W. Main St., Lake City
- Oct. 10—6:30 p.m., Florence, Lake City UMC
- Oct. 12—11 a.m., Marion, First Marion UMC, Chapel, 307 E. Godbold St., Marion
- Oct. 12—6 p.m., Marion, First Marion UMC
- Oct. 18—2 p.m., Hartsville, Trinity UMC, 226 W. Liberty St., Sumter
- Oct. 18—6:30 p.m., Hartsville, Trinity UMC
The Healthflex Exchange was approved at the 2017 Annual Conference and will go into effect Jan. 1, 2018. The new plan from Wespath Benefits will give conference employees and clergy more control, while helping the church continue to provide affordable health benefits.
The changes do not affect retirees 65 and older.
Six HealthFlex plan options—instead of one or two plans offered in past years—will be available. Some of the plans have lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs for health services, while other plans carry lower out-of-pocket costs for services used but higher monthly premiums.
The workshops are designed for clergy who are eligible for coverage under the conference health plan; local church lay employees who are covered under the conference health plan; and clergy retirees under the age of 65 who are covered under the conference health plan. Spouses are encouraged to attend.
These workshops will provide an overview of the HealthFlex Exchange; definitions of terms that will be meaningful in making informed choices; information regarding tools and support that will be provided for participants making choices for coverage under this private exchange; costs and cost-sharing of the various plans under the exchange; and instructions for actual decision-making during open enrollment in November for coverage that will go into effect Jan. 1.
Registration is not required.