FAQs Q: When is the annual open enrollment for the Brethren Insurance Services? A: During Oct.1-31. Q: When will we get enrollment materials? A: They will be mailed the last week of September to those who are currently in the Plan. If you are not currently in the Plan, contact the BBT Insurance department. Q: Can anyone elect to have a Health Savings Account? A: In order to qualify for an HSA, you must be enrolled in one of the two high deductible plan designs the Brethren Medical Plan offers to agencies. Q: How many plan designs does the BMP offer to agencies and what are their deductibles? A: Two traditional Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan designs, with deductibles of $500 single/$1,000 family or $1,000 single/$2,000 family. Two high deductible plans, which can be taken in conjunction with health savings accounts, are offered, with $3,000 single/$6,000 family or $4,000/$8,000 deductibles. Q: Is there a required contribution that employers must make into employees’ HSA accounts? A: In March 2005, Brethren Benefit Trust convened a meeting of the Brethren Medical Plan Interim Advisory Panel. This group, which represented pastors, the denominational agencies, Council of District Executives, and Annual Conference’s Pastoral Compensation and Benefits Advisory Committee, approved a recommendation that calls on every congregation, district, or other agency that offers a high deductible plan to its employees to make a minimum contribution to their employees’ HSAs. The minimum recommended contribution for those with individual medical coverage is $500; it is $1,000 for those with family medical coverage. That recommendation was supported by the BBT Board at its April 2005 meeting. Q: What is the HSA contribution limit? A: For 2008, the Internal Revenue Service has established a maximum contribution limit of $2,900 for those with individual medical coverage and $5,800 for those with family (more than one person) medical coverage. Q: The Brethren Medical Plan for agencies only uses Blue Cross/Blue Shield for its PPO. How do I figure out which physicians and medical facilities will be “in network”? A: You can find all qualified Blue Cross/Blue Shield providers by visiting the Brethren Insurance Plans website at www.brethrenbenefittrust.com/insurance/bcbs. Q: Where will claims be processed? A: For active participants, Highmark Blue Shield in Pennsylvania processes medical claims. Medco is the pharmacy benefits manager for those enrolled in a high deductible health plan and Caremark is the pharmacy benefits manager for those enrolled in the traditional medical plans. For retired participants, Mennonite Mutual Aid processes medical claims. Q: Do Medicare Supplement participants have access to a prescription drug plan? A: Yes, through Medicare. The prescription drug plan is called Medicare Part D. Refer to www.medicare.gov/medicarereform/drugbenefit.asp for further details on Medicare Part D. Q: Can retirees who are not currently enrolled in the Medicare Supplement Plan join? A: Medicare supplement insurance will be offered to all current and future church workers and spouses who have reached age 65. Employees and/or their spouses will need to apply for this insurance no later than six months following their 65th birthday. Widows or widowers of Church of the Brethren employees may also apply within six months of their 65th birthday.