Author: MSU Human Resources

MSU is committed to offering valuable benefits to support you and your family. In conjunction with our faculty and staff healthcare committees, we review our benefits program regularly to ensure it offers a positive experience to our benefits-eligible employees, their spouses or other eligible individuals, and dependents. Part of the benefits program includes offering a wide range of optional benefits and resources for you to use. While MSU offers these tools and resources to support you and your family, living well is also about the choices you make. Whether it’s the doctors you choose or where to go for care, your decisions can impact your health and how much you pay.

But keeping track of the different benefits and resources available to you can be overwhelming. The following recap will help jog your memory on the new benefits we introduced over the last year, and review some of the “golden oldies”. You can also check out an infographic of this info by clicking on the image below.

New programs we rolled out in the last year include:

• Livongo – a diabetes management program providing free supplies, education and tips for making healthy lifestyle choices, and support with optional coaching. Read about an MSU employee’s perspective on the diabetes management program.
• Teladoc – telemedicine services you can use to speak to a doctor at any time via web, phone or mobile app. They can even write you a prescription when necessary.

Let’s not forget those benefits and resources that have been hanging around for a while, but you may have forgotten about – sort of like those summer clothes stuffed in the back of your closet during this long Michigan winter.

• Best Doctors – get medical advice from experts on your specific medical condition to feel empowered to make the best choice possible for your care. This is a great resource for getting a second opinion on a diagnosis and/or treatment plan.
• Voluntary Benefits – these are optional benefits offered through MSU Benefits Plus. It has insurance offerings such as vision, long-term care, legal, pet, home/auto, and critical illness. And more than that, it offers a wide range of discounts you can tap into for everything from hotel stays to car rentals to even those tickets to Disney you’ve been thinking about.
• On-Campus Services – save time by getting your MRI, x-ray, or CT scan done right on-campus at MSU Radiology or have the MSU Clinical Center or Olin Pharmacy deliver your prescriptions directly to your office. Convenience is key, and you have the right to request your doctor to refer you to or send your prescriptions to these close and convenient services.

While you might not need or think of these benefits and resources all the time, keep them tucked away for a day when you will, and make it easier and more cost-effective for you to manage your health.

Do you have a loved who needs assistance with daily routines, such as bathing or eating, due to either a physical or mental impairment? Are you prepared if this were to become a reality in your life in the future – either for yourself or a loved one? Long-term care is here to help an individual due to an injury, illness, mental deterioration or advancing age. Long-term care is not only for the elderly; it can help you when an unexpected accident or illness arises.

MSU offers long-term care insurance as an optional benefit to eligible MSU employees. If you are an eligible faculty, academic staff, executive management, or support staff member,  you are eligible. Your spouse, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, grandparents-in-law, adult children, and sibling (referred to as other eligible individuals (OEI) under the plan) are eligible as well.

Long-term care insurance is offered through Transamerica, and you can enroll anytime during the year through MSU Benefits Plus. Not sure what options to choose? You can consult with specialists from the Todd Benefits Group, a third-party firm specializing in long-term-care benefits, to help you select the Transamerica options that best meet your needs.

Here are some most frequently asked questions about long-term care:

How do I or one of my OEIs qualify for long-term care coverage?

First, a licensed health care practitioner needs to provide a plan of care and certify that within the last 12 months you/your OEI are unable to perform two out of six activities of daily living or have a severe cognitive impairment that requires substantial supervision, you are eligible to start receiving long-term care benefits. These activities include bathing, maintaining continence, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring.

How do I determine how much long-term care coverage to get?

Policies have a daily benefit amount and a lifetime benefit amount. The daily benefit amount is the amount the insurance company will reimburse you for each day of qualified care received. The lifetime benefit amount is the total amount available to cover the cost of long-term care services.

Factors to consider when deciding how much to purchase include:

• Cost of care in your area of residence or where you plan to live in retirement
• Other sources of income or how much you can afford to self-insure

It’s best to consult the Todd Benefits Group for assistance in deciding.

Does long-term care only include out-of-home care or in-home care?

Long-term care includes Home Care, Home Health Care, Adult Day Care, and Hospice Care.

What if I wish to remain at home but still require long-term care?

a. Long-term care insurance called TransCare II includes a Cash Benefit which, once you qualify for benefits, you can choose to receive your benefit payments in an amount equal to 10 times the maximum daily benefit each month. You can use this money in any way you see fit and it gives you freedom of choice to pay a family member for care, for example.

b. The Remain at Home Benefit can further assist with challenges you may face when you wish to stay in your home. For example, this benefit can be used to pay for the following qualified long-term care services:

i. Home modification (ramps, grab bars, etc.)

ii.Caregiver training for informal caregivers (such as a family member)

iii. Therapeutic device or technology (i.e., crutches, wheelchairs, hospital-style beds)

iv. Medical Alert System (rental or purchase of systems to monitor health)

How much does it cost?

Premium rates vary depending on the coverage you select. Contact the Todd Benefits Group to determine what coverage is best for you. There’s also a Premium Calculator on their MSU website portal which allows you to review some coverage options, as well as create your own custom plan and see immediate premium quotes.

Are there any discounts available?

• A 5% discount for all (including family members) who qualify for coverage.
• Married/Partner* discount of 15% if only one spouse applies (if you have a spouse/partner).
• Spousal/Partner* discount of 30% if both apply (with identical coverage) and are approved.
• Preferred discount of 10% if you qualify medically.

*This includes OEIs.

What happens to my policy when I retire or change employment?

Coverage is provided under an individual long-term care policy, which means nothing changes if you retire or change jobs. Benefits and discounts are permanent.

What happens if I never use my long-term care policy?

In the event you do not utilize your policy, there is a return of premium to age 67. If you pass away before age 67, TransAmerica will pay a lump sum benefit to your beneficiary or estate totaling the sum of all premiums paid less the amount of any claims.

Still not sure if you or your OEIs are eligible? First, review your respective policy: Faculty & Academic Staff; Support Staff. You can also learn more about more about long-term care insurance on the HR website or request more information from Todd Benefits Group at 1-888-310-8633. Visit MSU Benefits Plus to enroll and learn about enrollment options.

Information in this blog post was provided in part by the Todd Benefits Group and Pacific Resources, MSU’s voluntary benefits administrator. 

This week’s job of the week is an Extension 4-H Program Coordinator (#561501) for the MSU Extension Children and Youth Institute. This position is seeking an individual to provide leadership and oversight for the growth and management of local 4-H programs, volunteers and youth participants.

The responsibilities for this role include recruiting, selecting and training 4-H program volunteers, overseeing program promotion, and gathering and analyzing data for impact evaluation efforts, among other duties.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge acquired by completing a four-year degree; two years’ experience in program development and management in 4-H or other youth development program; volunteer management and experience supervising volunteers or of others; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visit careers.msu.edu. Internal applicants should access postings through the Careers @ MSU tile in the EBS Portal.

At the beginning of the new year it may be overwhelming and difficult to stick with your resolutions, especially with everyone telling you what to do or how they are doing it better. Don’t fall into the trap of setting lofty goals that will never be accomplished. Instead, set realistic resolutions that can help benefit your work life.

First, make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you see what to improve on, what you are already doing well and how you can utilize these strengths. Second, think long-term about your career goals. Where do you see yourself next year, in five years and 10 years? Third, be present in the workplace. Don’t just show up to the office and try to get through the day. Make the most out of each day, be productive and positive. Little changes can make a difference too. Consider updating your resume, going to networking opportunities and taking classes on subjects that interest you or will help boost your career.

Simple resolutions made out of the office could ultimately help your career. Try to add 30 minutes to an hour of physical activity to your schedule at least three days a week, even if it means taking a quick walk on your lunch break. Do things you enjoy after work and on the weekends. Maybe pick up a new hobby or activity, or simply explore what your city has to offer. If changing your eating habits seems unattainable, MSU offers a six session course, How to Eat, on Thursdays in the Olin Health Center. The course teaches mindful techniques to bring awareness to eating without judgment. For more information on How to Eat, or other Health4U courses, visit Health4U.msu.edu.

Setting New Year’s resolutions shouldn’t be a hassle. Think about how you want to progress as a professional and make simple changes to help kick-start your new year.