2025 Benefits Open Enrollment is NOW Closed, if you have questions or issues, please contact rx@domail.maricopa.edu.
The Open Enrollment window closes tomorrow at 5:00 pm Friday, November 22, 2024. Don’t miss your opportunity to elect and confirm any changes to your benefits, effective January 1, 2025.
Effective January 1, 2025, if you take no action, all your current benefit elections, including vision, will roll over except for any Flexible Spending Account elections. If you were enrolled in the VSP Vision plan for this year, it will automatically roll over into the New EyeMed Core Vision plan. During Open Enrollment, you can upgrade to the new Buy Up vision plan through EyeMed.
If you currently do not have an active benefit, a waived election will roll over as well.
The following list of resources can help you through this Open Enrollment process.
Open Enrollment Benefit Guides
Links to virtual Open Enrollment Guides are available on our MCCCD Open Enrollment website.
IMPORTANT: Current Benefits that WILL NOT ROLL OVER & Plans you may want to Increase:
NOT Rolling Over
Flexible Spending Accounts - You must enroll each year during open enrollment to begin or continue your Health Care FSA or Dependent Care FSA, even if you are not changing your contribution amounts.
Employees can contribute up to $3,300 to their Health Care FSA.
The 2025 Dependent Care FSA contribution limit will remain the same at $5,000.
Plan Increases that need to be initiated
Voluntary Short-Term Disability Increases
Employees can increase one level of coverage without a Statement of Health.
As a reminder, elected amounts cannot exceed 66.67% of an employee's base salary.
View the MCCCD Short-Term Disability webpage for more information.
Retirement Savings Plan - The basic contribution limit for 2025 is $23,500. This limit applies to 403(b) and 457(b) separately. If you participate in both plan types, the amount contributed to 403(b) does not affect the maximum for 457(b) and vice versa.
Employees who are 50 or older by Dec. 31, 2025, may contribute an additional $7,500 above the basic 2025 annual limit of $23,000 for a total of $31,000.
Please Note: Changes to participation in these plans can be made throughout the year; they are not restricted to or part of Open Enrollment. Visit Retirement Savings Plans for more information.
Open Enrollment Additional Resources:
ADP My Benefits Service Center
For technical assistance with My Benefits Portal or Enrollments:
Chat: 24 hours/7 days a week, excluding Holidays; click the chat bubble in the top right corner of the ADP open portal page.
Phone: 1-855-403-2762, M-F 7 am - 7 pm MST & Sat. 8 am - 5 pm Eastern. Saturday hours are only available through November 18, 2023. SEE World Time Buddy Converter.
Multilingual support available
MCCCD Retirement Savings Plans
Are you on track for your retirement goals? In addition to the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), MCCCD offers voluntary retirement savings plans, sometimes referred to as Tax Sheltered Annuities (TSA). The options available are Traditional and Roth 403(b) and 457(b), which are similar to Traditional and Roth 401(k). Although you can start, stop, or change your contributions to these plans at any time, it’s a good idea to review your retirement savings plan while selecting other workplace benefits during the open enrollment period.
Traditional 403(b) and 457(b)
When you participate in a 403(b) or a 457(b) plan, you designate a portion of your salary to contribute to the account every paycheck on a pre-tax basis. This reduces your taxable income, so you don’t pay taxes on these contributions until you withdraw from the account later on.
Roth 403(b) and 457(b)
Contributions made to a Roth 403(b) or 457(b) account are after-tax deductions from your paycheck. Income taxes are not reduced by contributions you make to your account. All qualified distributions from Roth 403(b) and Roth 457(b) accounts are tax-free. Any earnings on your deposits are not taxed as long as they remain in your account for five years from the date that your first Roth contribution was made.
Plan Options
Employees may participate in any or all plans as long as they stay within the maximum allowable contribution limits set by the IRS. There are various options for authorized investment providers you can choose from.
Traditional 403(b)
Traditional 457(b)
Roth 403(b)
Roth 457(b)
2024 Calendar Year Limits
The basic contribution limit for 2024 is $23,000. This limit applies to 403(b) and 457(b) separately. If you participate in both plan types, the amount contributed to 403(b) does not affect the maximum for 457(b) and vice versa.
Employees who are 50 or older by Dec. 31, 2024, may contribute an additional $7,500 above the basic 2024 annual limit of $23,000 for a total of $30,500.
2025 Calendar Year Limits
The basic contribution limit for 2025 is $23,500. This limit applies to 403(b) and 457(b) separately. If you participate in both plan types, the amount contributed to 403(b) does not affect the maximum for 457(b) and vice versa.
Employees who are 50 or older by Dec. 31, 2025, may contribute an additional $7,500 above the basic 2025 annual limit of $23,500 for a total of $31,000.
*NEW FOR 2025
Employees who are aged 60, 61, 62, or 63 on December 31, 2025, will have an extra opportunity to contribute additional funds to their 403(b) and/or 457(b) in 2025 with an enhanced catch-up option. Instead of $7,500, this enhanced catch-up amount will be $11,250, giving those individuals an annual limit of $34,750 instead of $31,000 for 2025. Note: Anyone who is aged 63 or older on January 1, 2025, will not be eligible for this enhanced catch-up contribution; their limit will be the same as those aged 50+ on December 31, 2025.
How to Participate
Plan administration services for the 403(b) and 457(b) plans are provided by US OMNI & TSACG Compliance Services (USOTCS), also referred to as TSACG. If you are interested in participating in a TSA, follow this step-by-step process to get enrolled:
Step 1:
Select an investment provider from the list of approved vendors on the TSACG website. Providers are listed by plan/account type, and not all providers offer all plans.
Step 2:
Open an account with your selected investment provider using the information on the TSACG website for that provider.
Step 3:
Download the Salary Reduction Agreement form for the appropriate plan type. These are found on the lower right side of the TSACG website.
Step 4:
Open the form. If you open it with Adobe, you can complete and electronically sign the form. Otherwise, you will need to print, sign, and scan it.
Step 5:
Send your completed and signed form to Payroll: payroll@domail.maricopa.edu
Changing Your Participation
If you already have a TSA and want to change or stop your contributions, repeat steps 3-5 above.
Deferring Unused Sick/Vacation Leave Payments at Retirement
If you will be leaving MCCCD and anticipate a payout of unused leave, you can choose to send some or all of those funds to your 403(b) and/or 457(b). This may be a good option for those wanting to defer the taxes on a large payment. To take this action, follow the same steps above. You’ll use the Termination Payment section of the SRA form to indicate what you want to do.
Additional Retirement Savings Resources
MCCCD Retirement Savings Plans website
U.S. OMNI & TSACG Compliance Services (USOTCS) Financial Wellness Center
Call USOTCS/TSACG toll-free at 1-888-796-3786
The MCCCD Benefits Team would like to send a big thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Benefits Open Enrollment season throughout the Maricopa Community Colleges. We appreciate your participation! When enrolling during the open enrollment season, whether reviewing, adding, modifying, or ending benefits offered at MCCCD, we recognize the process itself is a very critical and important part of your employment life, and appreciate the time and effort employees committed to Benefit Town Halls, In-Person Benefit Expos, Vaccination, and Biometric Screening Clinics ensuring their benefits were set up with the best options for the 2025 plan year.
The Open Enrollment window is now open! You have until 5:00 pm, Friday, November 22, 2024, to elect and confirm any changes to your benefits, effective January 1, 2025.
Effective January 1, 2025, if you take no action, all your current benefit elections, including vision, will roll over except for any Flexible Spending Account elections. If you were enrolled in the VSP Vision plan for this year, it will automatically roll over into the New EyeMed Core Vision plan. During Open Enrollment, you will have the opportunity to upgrade to the new Buy Up vision plan through EyeMed.
If you currently do not have an active benefit, a waived election will roll over as well.
The following list of resources can help you through this Open Enrollment process.
Open Enrollment Benefit Guides
Links to virtual Open Enrollment Guides are available on our MCCCD Open Enrollment website.
IMPORTANT: Current Benefits that WILL NOT ROLL OVER & Plans you may want to Increase:
NOT Rolling Over
Flexible Spending Accounts - You must enroll each year during open enrollment to begin or continue your Health Care FSA or Dependent Care FSA, even if you are not changing your contribution amounts.
Employees can contribute up to $3,300 to their Health Care FSA.
The 2025 Dependent Care FSA contribution limit will remain the same at $5,000.
Plan Increases that need to be initiated
Voluntary Short-Term Disability Increases
Employees can increase one level of coverage without a Statement of Health.
As a reminder, elected amounts cannot exceed 66.67% of an employee's base salary.
View the MCCCD Short-Term Disability webpage for more information.
Retirement Savings Plan - The basic contribution limit for 2025 is $23,500. This limit applies to 403(b) and 457(b) separately.
Employees who are 50 or older by Dec. 31, 2025, may contribute an additional $7,500 above the basic 2025 annual limit of $23,000 for a total of $31,000.
Please Note: Changes to participation in these plans can be made throughout the year; they are not restricted to or part of Open Enrollment. Visit Retirement Savings Plans for more information.
In-Person Regional Open Enrollment Benefit Expos continue with Phoenix College today! Schedule vaccination appointments and connect with benefit plan representatives and our expert benefit team members to get specific questions answered.
Important: Biometrics Screening appointments at all locations are full. Appointments can be made at the nearest LabCorp Facility to you. See Scheduling an Appointment at a LabCorp Facility. If you have additional questions, please contact the Wellness Maricopa team at wellness.maricopa@domail.maricopa.edu.
Vaccination Clinics with Wellness & Open Enrollment Stations
11/12/24 - Estrella Mountain Community College - 3000 N. Dysart Rd, Avondale
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/13/24 - South Mountain Community College - 7050 S. 24th Street, Phoenix
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/14/24 - Chandler-Gilbert Community College - 2626 E. Pecos Road, Chandler
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
Regional In-Person Benefits Expo, Vaccination Clinics & Biometric Screenings
11/18//24 - Glendale Community College - 6000 W. Olive Ave., Glendale
Vaccination & Biometric Appt Times
10:00 am - 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
11/19//24 - Scottsdale Community College - 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Biometric Appt Times
To view Parking Directional Campus Maps, or sign up for a vaccination clinic or biometric screening, visit the Open Enrollment Benefit Events webpage.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends any age-appropriate vaccine product for people six months and older. If you have specific questions about the appropriateness of a vaccine, please consult your Primary Care Physician (PCP) before your vaccination appointment. When scheduling your appointment, please only select from the vaccines listed below.
Flu Vaccine - High Dose for ages 65+ ( $95 w/o insurance)
Seasonal Flu Vaccine - ages 12 months+ ($45 w/o insurance)
Flublok - ages 18+ ($95 w/o insurance)
RSV - ages 75+ ($333 w/o insurance)
Pfizer COVID vaccine ($155 w/o insurance)
Shingrix - ages 50+ ($220 w/o insurance)
Find the vaccination sign-up link that pertains to your campus in the tables located on the Open Enrollment Benefit Events webpage to schedule your vaccination appointment. Vaccination clinics are available to all employees and their families. Your picture ID and insurance card will be required at the time of service; premade copies will help alleviate delays in the process. Credit card payments will be accepted for part-time adjuncts, part-time staff, and student employees without insurance. Walk-ins will also be welcome, provided there are still time slots available.
Kroger Health will offer a $5 off coupon for the flu vaccine only, a $20 off coupon for Flu + another vaccine. Coupons can be used at any Fry’s store here in Phoenix; one coupon per transaction.
Our last two Benefits Town Halls continue tomorrow with the Vision Plan Updates. EyeMed will present the details of our two New Vision Plans, including our first-ever Buy-Up plan, giving employees flexibility and value in plan choices, with Q&A allotted time. Our final Benefits Town Hall continues on Wednesday, 11/20/24. Benefits will present the medical, prescription, and EAP plan changes in detail with Alliant, Banner|Aetna, Virta, Aetna Resources for Living, and Capital Rx, with Q&A allotted time.
Vision Plan Updates
Fri., 11/15/24, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
View Session Information, Links & Add to Calendar
Medical, EAP, & Prescription Plan Updates
Wed., 11/20/24, 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
View Session Information, Links & Add to Calendar
Prescription coverage is not changing, but there are new copays.
Capital Rx is committed to supporting your health every step of the way. Their exceptional services and resources are designed to help you make informed choices for yourself and your family. As we updated the Medical plan design, we also needed to adjust your prescription copays. The copay for tier one generic prescriptions will remain unchanged, while the copays for tier two preferred brands and tier three non-preferred brands will increase.
What to Expect
Starting January 1, 2025, the copays for retail and home delivery prescriptions will be as follows:
As you can see, there are significant savings available when using Home Delivery for maintenance medications that you take regularly. Capital Rx continues to partner with Optum Rx to offer mail-order prescriptions at a reduced cost.
Getting started with Optum Home Delivery:
Online: Go to the Capital Rx Member Portal at https://app.cap-rx.com/login to register or log in. Select ‘home delivery’ to confirm your profile settings.
Phone: Call Capital Rx and follow the prompts for ‘medications delivered to your home’ or ask your doctor to send an electronic prescription to Optum Home Delivery. A coordinator will reach out to get you set up.
Managing New Prescriptions and Refill Requests:
Choose one of the following options to request refills of current prescriptions or to send new prescriptions to Optum Home Delivery
E-prescribe (preferred): Have your prescriber electronically send your prescription to Optum Home Delivery.
Fax: Have your prescriber fax your prescription to:
Optum Home Delivery. Faxed prescriptions may only be sent by a doctor’s office and must include patient information.
Online (refills only): Login to the Capital Rx member portal to place an order for available refills.
Once you get a new prescription for your specialty medication, you can:
Online: Go to the Capital Rx Member Portal at https://app.cap-rx.com/login to register or log in. Select ‘specialty pharmacy.’ Fill out the New Patient Form, and we will take it from there.
Phone: Call Capital Rx Customer Care and follow the prompts for ‘specialty pharmacy’ or ask your doctor to send an electronic prescription to Optum Specialty Pharmacy.
A patient care coordinator may reach out for more information to finalize your account or set up your first order. They will also contact your provider for an up-to-date prescription if needed.
Home delivery customer support is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Additional Website and Mobile App features:
In addition to adding Home Delivery and Specialty to the platform, you will still be able to find the following items. All these features are available on the Capital Rx mobile app as well.
Search for retail pharmacies. The Capital Rx pharmacy network includes 60,000+ retail pharmacies that allow you to fill a 30, 60, or 90-day prescription at places like Walgreens, CVS, and grocery store pharmacies, among many others.
Find the best pricing. Searching for drug pricing at local or mail-order pharmacies is easy to do. Enter your drug name and dosage, and you can see the price for both home delivery and retail pharmacies.
Lookup formulary. Review drugs your provider may want you to start taking or even current drugs you might be taking on an ongoing basis. The formulary will show where your drug falls in the 3 tiers: Generic, Preferred Brand, and Non-Preferred Brand. You will be able to find alternative medications in the same class that you can speak with your doctor about.
Claims history. You can view all your prescription history, including the date filled, where it was filled, and how much you and the plan paid towards each prescription.
Print Rx Card. Your pharmacy benefit information is available on the back of your medical card, but if you want additional cards, you can print extra from the website or present a digital version on the mobile app.
What is a formulary?
What is a drug Formulary? A drug list – also called a formulary – lists your health plan's preferred medicines. You'll usually pay less when you choose a drug that's on the list. Capital Rx search tools make it easy to see if your prescriptions are on the list. You can also find alternatives that may save you money. Capital Rx Customer Support (855-662-2779) can also assist with finding the best price for the medication you may need.
Watch video on Finding Best Prescription Pricing & Using the Capital Rx Formulary Tool.
Customer Service
Capital Rx Customer Support is available 24/7 to assist you. Their representatives can help you locate local pharmacies, check claims, and provide pricing information for covered medications. If necessary, they will also reach out to your local retail pharmacy to ensure your claims are processed correctly. Additionally, they can assist with any medications requiring prior authorization, collaborating with you and your provider to secure the necessary approvals.
Retail vs. Home Delivery
Capital Rx offers employees the convenience of filling a 90-day prescription at both local pharmacies and through home delivery. You can use the member portal and mobile app to compare the costs for a 90-day supply. When evaluating retail versus home delivery copays, please keep the following in mind:
Retail: 90-day supplies are filled at 3x the monthly copay for each medication.
Home Delivery: 90-day supplies are filled at 2x the monthly copay and may be less expensive to fill.
For more information about our medical plans, visit our Benefits Medical Plans & Schedule of Benefits webpage.
Money-saving tips
Always ask your doctor if a generic drug is available.
Some medications are available in generic form and will cost less than brand medications.
Check the plan’s formulary (approved drug list). Visit the plan website or call Customer Support.
Many drugs have equivalent alternative medications in the same class that might cost less. When reviewing these medications, it would be best to work with your provider to make sure these alternatives fit the needs your provider wants for you.
Ask about a 90-day home delivery supply for maintenance medications.
Sign up for a Prescription Discount Program. How do prescription discount programs work? These discounts can't be combined with your benefit plan coverage, so make sure to check the price against the cost of using your insurance's prescription drug benefit. Something else to consider: If you choose to use a discount card and are therefore not tapping into your insurance prescription drug benefit, the cash amount you pay for the prescription may not count toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum under the benefit plan.
GoodRx allows you to simply and easily search for retail pharmacies that offer the lowest price for specific medications. GoodRx is a web- and app-based platform that allows you to search for prescription drug coupons and compare pharmacy prices. The company claims savings of up to 80% on generics.
Amazon Prime Rx Savings discount card, which is included with an Amazon Prime membership and is administered by InsideRx. It provides discounts of up to 80% for generics and up to 40% for brand-name medication at participating pharmacies.
Cost Plus Drug Company is a web-based pharmacy that claims to keep costs low by buying directly from the manufacturer. It currently only offers a certain selection of medications and accepts a handful of prescription insurance providers, but it may be worth checking the price difference between Cost Plus and your regular pharmacy.
For more information about our prescription drug benefits, visit our Benefits Prescription Drug webpage.
In-Person Regional Open Enrollment Benefit Expos continue with Phoenix College today! Schedule vaccination appointments and connect with benefit plan representatives and our expert benefit team members to get specific questions answered.
Important: Biometrics Screening appointments at all locations are full. Appointments can be made at the nearest LabCorp Facility to you. See Scheduling an Appointment at a LabCorp Facility. If you have additional questions, please contact the Wellness Maricopa team at wellness.maricopa@domail.maricopa.edu.
11/07//24 - Phoenix College - 1202 W. Thomas Rd, Phoenix
9:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
9:00 am - 3:30 pm Biometric Appt Times
11/18//24 - Glendale Community College - 6000 W. Olive Ave., Glendale
Vaccination & Biometric Appt Times
10:00 am - 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
11/19//24 - Scottsdale Community College - 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Biometric Appt Times
Additional November Vaccination Clinics with Wellness & Open Enrollment Stations
11/12/24 - Estrella Mountain Community College - 3000 N. Dysart Rd, Avondale
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/13/24 - South Mountain Community College - 7050 S. 24th Street, Phoenix
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/14/24 - Chandler-Gilbert Community College - 2626 E. Pecos Road, Chandler
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
To view Parking Directional Campus Maps, or sign up for a vaccination clinic or biometric screening, visit the Open Enrollment Benefit Events webpage.
The Vaccination Clinics will be brought to you from the Little Clinic by Kroger Health in partnership with Wellness Maricopa. The CDC recommends any age-appropriate vaccine product for people six months and older. If you have specific questions about the appropriateness of a vaccine, please consult your Primary Care Physician (PCP) before your vaccination appointment. Vaccines that will be available include:
Flu Vaccine - High Dose for ages 65+ ( $95 w/o insurance)
Seasonal Flu Vaccine - ages 12 months+ ($45 w/o insurance)
Flublok - ages 18+ ($95 w/o insurance)
RSV - ages 75+ ($333 w/o insurance)
Pfizer COVID vaccine ($155 w/o insurance)
Shingrix - ages 50+ ($220 w/o insurance)
Find the vaccination sign-up link that pertains to your campus in the tables located on the Open Enrollment Benefit Events webpage to schedule your vaccination appointment. Vaccination clinics are available to all employees and their families. Your picture ID and insurance card will be required at the time of service; premade copies will help alleviate delays in the process. Credit card payments will be accepted for part-time adjuncts, part-time staff, and student employees without insurance. Walk-ins will also be welcome, provided there are still time slots available.
Kroger Health will offer a $5 off coupon for the flu vaccine only, a $20 off coupon for Flu + another vaccine. Coupons can be used at any Fry’s store here in Phoenix; one coupon per transaction.
An FSA (flexible spending account) is an employer-sponsored benefit that allows employees to make contributions from their paychecks before taxes (pretax) are taken out to cover the cost of qualified expenses.
These tax-free funds can help you cover thousands of expenses you would usually pay for out-of-pocket. But since this spending account is not being taxed, you save money when you use it to pay for health and dependent care expenses.
Through our Inspira Financial vendor, MCCCD has two different FSA accounts you can participate in:
Health Care FSA and
Dependent Care FSA.
Descriptions and videos explaining the two plans are below.
Health Care FSA (HCFSA)
This Health Care Flexible Spending Account lets you pay for many out-of-pocket medical expenses with tax-free dollars. You can elect to contribute up to your plan’s limit, $3,300 for the 2025 tax year, deducted from your paycheck throughout the year. Your full contribution is available at the start of the plan year to pay for eligible expenses, including insurance copayments and deductibles, qualified prescription drugs, dental and vision expenses, insulin, medical devices, and some over-the-counter items.
Health Care FSA (HCFSA)
This Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account lets you contribute up to your plan’s limit to pay for eligible child and adult care expenses. With a DCFSA, you use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified out-of-pocket dependent care expenses. The money you contribute to a DCFSA is not subject to payroll taxes so you end up paying less in taxes and taking home more of your paycheck. Eligible expenses include daycare, before and after-school programs, preschool, and summer day camp for children 12 or younger.
Also included in DCFSA is care for a spouse or other dependent who lives with you and is mentally or physically incapable of self-care. It is important to note that a DCFSA is not an account for your dependent’s health care expenses. However, if you are enrolled in a Health Care FSA, you may use those funds to cover eligible expenses incurred by your spouse and tax dependents. For Dependent Care FSAs, you must be working or looking for work to use your dependent care funds. If you're married, your spouse must either be working, looking for work, or a full-time student.
For more information on how to use the DCFSA, view this FAQ.
There are various ways you can use your Inspira Financial account:
Pay yourself back - Pay for eligible expenses with cash, a check, or your personal credit card. Then withdraw funds from your FSA Account and have your payment deposited directly into your checking account.
Pay your provider - You can pay your provider directly from your InspiraFinancial account.
Pay with your Inspira Financial Card - When you use it, your expense is automatically paid from your account. (You may need to provide substantiation.)
Handy FSA Reminders and Tips:
Save all of your itemized statements and detailed receipts.
View the IRS contribution limits and a list of common eligible expense items on Inspirafinancial.com.
You can change your contribution if you have a life-changing event, such as your marital or employment status, your number of tax dependents, etc.
FSA’s have a use-it-or-lose-it rule, which means if you don’t use your funds by the end of the plan year, you’ll lose them.
MCCCD offers a Grace Period that allows you to use your previous year’s election until March 15th of the following year.
MCCCD also offers a Run Out Period, which allows you to submit claims from the previous year for an additional 134 days after the plan year. This date can either be May 14th, for the 2024 plan year.
Additional FAQ Resources:
Helpful Term Definitions
Explanation of Benefits (EOB). An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is a statement that your insurance company sends that summarizes the costs of health care services you received. An EOB shows how much your healthcare provider is charging your insurance company and how much you may be responsible for paying. This is not a bill.
Evidence of Insurability (EOI). Evidence of Insurability (EOI) can also be referred to as Medical Evidence of Insurability (MEOI) and is the information that is collected for insurance underwriters to review and determine the coverage level they will approve based on risk.
Statement of Health (SOH). A Statement of Health (SOH) is a document containing a series of questions about your overall health — such as if you're a smoker or if you've ever been treated for a medical condition like cancer or high blood pressure.
Substantiation. Sufficient evidence to verify the eligibility of expenses.
Vaccination Clinics will continue on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Gateway Community College. While getting your shots, stop by a:
Wellness Station, which will include information about wellness opportunities, programs, and initiatives which are at your campus and around the district as well. You will have an opportunity to engage in light activities so that you can gather more information about your health and well-being. Wellness stations will also include healthy snacks and giveaways.
Open Enrollment Station, where you will be able to speak with an expert benefit team member who will be available to answer any Open Enrollment questions.
Important: Biometrics Screening appointments at Mesa Community College are full. Appointments can be made at the nearest LabCorp Facility to you. See Scheduling an Appointment at a LabCorp Facility. If you have additional questions, please contact the Wellness Maricopa team at wellness.maricopa@domail.maricopa.edu.
10/31/24 - Mesa Community College - Dobson Campus, 1833 Southern Avenue, Mesa
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
The Vaccination Clinics will be brought to you from the Little Clinic by Kroger Health in partnership with Wellness Maricopa. The CDC recommends any age-appropriate vaccine product for people six months and older. If you have specific questions about the appropriateness of a vaccine, please consult your Primary Care Physician (PCP) before your vaccination appointment. Vaccines that will be available include:
Flu Vaccine - High Dose for ages 65+ ( $95 w/o insurance)
Seasonal Flu Vaccine - ages 12 months+ ($45 w/o insurance)
Flublok - ages 18+ ($95 w/o insurance)
RSV - ages 75+ ($333 w/o insurance)
Pfizer COVID vaccine ($155 w/o insurance)
Shingrix - ages 50+ ($220 w/o insurance)
Find the vaccination sign-up link that pertains to your campus in the tables located on the Open Enrollment Benefit Events webpage to schedule your vaccination appointment. Vaccination clinics are available to all employees and their families. Your picture ID and insurance card will be required at the time of service; premade copies will help alleviate delays in the process. Credit card payments will be accepted for part-time adjuncts, part-time staff, and student employees without insurance. Walk-ins will also be welcome, provided there are still time slots available.
Kroger Health will offer a $5 off coupon for the flu vaccine only, a $20 off coupon for Flu + another vaccine. Coupons can be used at any Fry’s store here in Phoenix; one coupon per transaction.
November 4, 2024, will kick off the In-Person Regional Open Enrollment Benefit Expos starting at Rio Salado Community College. Schedule vaccination appointments and connect with benefit plan representatives and our expert benefit team members to get specific questions answered.
Important: Biometrics Screening appointments at all locations are full. Appointments can be made at the nearest LabCorp Facility to you. See Scheduling an Appointment at a LabCorp Facility. If you have additional questions, please contact the Wellness Maricopa team at wellness.maricopa@domail.maricopa.edu.
Additional November Vaccination Clinics with Wellness & Open Enrollment Stations
11/12/24 - Estrella Mountain Community College - 3000 N. Dysart Rd, Avondale
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/13/24 - South Mountain Community College - 7050 S. 24th Street, Phoenix
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/14/24 - Chandler-Gilbert Community College - 2626 E. Pecos Road, Chandler
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
To view Parking Directional Campus Maps, or sign up for a vaccination clinic or biometric screening, visit the Open Enrollment Benefit Events webpage.
Upwise Decision Tool Brought to You by Metlife
Choosing your benefits is one of the most important decisions you can make, so this year MCCCD is offering Upwise to help you select the right benefits for you and your family—think of it like your own personal benefits consultant. You get a custom, comprehensive benefits recommendation in 10 minutes or less.
Your Upwise journey begins with a quick survey at the start of enrollment, exploring your health, wellness, finances, and future plans. Then Upwise provides a personalized and comprehensive recommendation based on your goals and the broad array of all-covered benefits we offer, not just medical.
Even if you have an idea of which benefits you want to select, Upwise provides a data-driven recommendation that can help you feel more confident in your decisions and ensure you’ve considered all the different options available to you.
Upwise is not an enrollment service; they provide personalized recommendations based on the information you share with them. They ask for only the details necessary to offer better recommendations tailored to your needs. While their suggestions focus on affordability, they encourage you to consider your personal situation and family needs when making decisions. Once you've made your choices, you can sign up for your benefits through HCM.
After you’ve enrolled, Upwise continues to help you maximize your benefits with timely reminders and opportunities for additional wellness resources you or your family may need down the road. All your benefits-related information is easily accessible in your personalized Upwise dashboard tile located on your HCM Employee Self-Service page under Benefits.
On October 22, 2024, the IRS announced an increase in the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) contribution limit as part of their 2025 annual inflation adjustments. The HCFSA contribution limit for the 2025 tax year will increase to $3,300. This is a $100 increase from the 2024 limit of $3,200. This adjustment is a welcome change, offering individuals more opportunities to set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified medical expenses.
More information on the Flexible Spending Accounts available to employees will be shared in our Next Open Enrollment Newsletter. You can also visit our Benefits FSA webpage.
Vaccination Clinics will continue on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at Gateway Community College. While getting your shots, stop by a:
Wellness Station, which will include information about wellness opportunities, programs, and initiatives which are at your campus and around the district as well. You will have an opportunity to engage in light activities so that you can gather more information about your health and well-being. Wellness stations will also include healthy snacks and giveaways.
Open Enrollment Station, where you will be able to speak with an expert benefit team member who will be available to answer any Open Enrollment questions.
Important: Biometrics Screening appointments at Mesa Community College are full. Appointments can be made at the nearest LabCorp Facility to you. See Scheduling an Appointment at a LabCorp Facility. If you have additional questions, please contact the Wellness Maricopa team at wellness.maricopa@domail.maricopa.edu.
10/29/24 - Gateway Community College - Washington Campus, 108 N. 40th St., Phoenix
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
10/31/24 - Mesa Community College - Dobson Campus, 1833 Southern Avenue, Mesa
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
The Vaccination Clinics will be brought to you from the Little Clinic by Kroger Health in partnership with Wellness Maricopa. The CDC recommends any age-appropriate vaccine product for people six months and older. If you have specific questions about the appropriateness of a vaccine, please consult your Primary Care Physician (PCP) before your vaccination appointment. Vaccines that will be available include:
Flu Vaccine - High Dose for ages 65+ ( $95 w/o insurance)
Seasonal Flu Vaccine - ages 12 months+ ($45 w/o insurance)
Flublok - ages 18+ ($95 w/o insurance)
RSV - ages 75+ ($333 w/o insurance)
Pfizer COVID vaccine ($155 w/o insurance)
Shingrix - ages 50+ ($220 w/o insurance)
Find the vaccination sign-up link that pertains to your campus in the tables located on the Open Enrollment Benefit Events webpage to schedule your vaccination appointment. Vaccination clinics are available to all employees and their families. Your picture ID and insurance card will be required at the time of service; premade copies will help alleviate delays in the process. Credit card payments will be accepted for part-time adjuncts, part-time staff, and student employees without insurance. Walk-ins will also be welcome, provided there are still time slots available.
November 4, 2024, will kick off the In-Person Regional Open Enrollment Benefit Expos starting at Rio Salado Community College. Schedule vaccination appointments and connect with benefit plan representatives and our expert benefit team members to get specific questions answered.
Important: Biometrics Screening appointments at all locations are full. Appointments can be made at the nearest LabCorp Facility to you. See Scheduling an Appointment at a LabCorp Facility. If you have additional questions, please contact the Wellness Maricopa team at wellness.maricopa@domail.maricopa.edu.
Additional November Vaccination Clinics with Wellness & Open Enrollment Stations
11/12/24 - Estrella Mountain Community College - 3000 N. Dysart Rd, Avondale
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/13/24 - South Mountain Community College - 7050 S. 24th Street, Phoenix
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/14/24 - Chandler-Gilbert Community College - 2626 E. Pecos Road, Chandler
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
To view Parking Directional Campus Maps, or sign up for a vaccination clinic or biometric screening, visit the Open Enrollment Benefit Events webpage.
Kroger Health will offer a $5 off coupon for the flu vaccine only, a $20 off coupon for Flu + another vaccine. Coupons can be used at any Fry’s store here in Phoenix; one coupon per transaction.
Wellness Maricopa will present the interim wellness incentive program in detail, including changes to the health risk credit for employees enrolled in the medical plan. Allotted Q&A time will be reserved at the end of the presentation.
Mon, October 28, 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
View Session Links & Add to Calendar
Our virtual Open Enrollment Town Hall Series continues with Dental, Life, and Disability Plans today and next Wednesday. Although these plans will not change, Solstice and MetLife representatives will be on the call to give overviews of the plans available and answer questions you might have. Each session in the series listed below will include the same presentation but may address different questions depending on the audience. You and your dependents are welcome to attend one or all sessions.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
MCCCD offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to benefit eligible employees, part-time employees, and anyone in the employee’s household, regardless of their relationship, age, or health insurance coverage. For example, if you live with roommates and/or care for an elderly family member, they are also eligible for services. These services are brought to you through Aetna’s Resources For Living, which provides confidential support 24/7 to handle everyday concerns and balance the demands of work, life, and personal issues.
Here are a few examples of ways individuals may utilize EAP services.
Emotional Well-Being Support
Up to 6 counseling sessions per issue each year. You can also call 24 hours a day for in-the-moment emotional well-being support.
Counseling sessions are available face to face, online with televideo, or by phone. Services are free and confidential for a wide range of issues, including but not limited to:
Relationship Support
Stress Management
Work/Life Balance
Family Issues
Grief and Loss
Depression
Anxiety
Substance Misuse and more
Self-Esteem and Personal Development
Daily Life Assistance
Competing day-to-day needs can make it tough to know where to start. You can call Resources For Living for personalized guidance, and they can help you find resources for:
Childcare, parenting, and adoption
Summer programs for kids
School and financial research
Care for older adults
Caregiver support
Special needs
Pet Care
Home repair and improvement
Household services and more
Resources for Living also offers care kits for growing families, childcare, caregiving, and more.
Legal Services
You can get a free 30-minute consultation with a participating attorney for each new legal topic related to:
General
Family
Criminal
Elder law and estate planning
Divorce
Wills and other document preparation
Real estate transactions
Mediation services
If you opt for services beyond the initial consultation, you can get a 25% discount.
Financial Services
Call for a free 30-minute consultation for each new financial topic related to:
Budgeting
Credit or debt issues
Retirement planning or other financial planning
College funding
Tax and IRS questions and preparation
Mortgages and refinancing
You can also get a 25% discount for tax preparation services.
Services must be for financial matters related to the employee and eligible household members.
The Resources For Living website offers a full range of tools and resources to help with emotional well-being, work/life balance, and more. You will find articles, self-assessments, adult care and child care provider search tools, stress resource center, video resources, live and recorded webinars, mobile apps, and more. For more information, visit the MCCCD EAP Website or contact Resources for Living directly.
Username: MCCCD
Password: EAP
888-238-6232, TTY:711
Open Enrollment Benefit Guides:
Links to the electronic Open Enrollment Guides are available on our MCCCD Open Enrollment website.
Open Enrollment Benefits Guide Flipbook
Open Enrollment Benefits Guide PDF Version
Open Enrollment Benefits Guide Accessible Version
Open Enrollment Benefits Guide Spanish Version
If you opted-in to receive the physical Benefits Guide, printed guides will be mailed out beginning on _________.
2025 Open Enrollment Website Features:
Although our Open Enrollment website has been available and interlinked with the first OE Newsletter launched on September 19th, we would like to bring your attention to some of the new available features.
Benefit Town Halls:
If you missed any part of the Open Enrollment Benefit Town Hall Series, you can find recordings, Q&As, and slide decks on the website under 2025 Benefit Town Hall Resources.
We are also hosting six more Benefits Town Halls through the end of the Open Enrollment Period, November 22, 2024. See the Benefit Town Hall Reminder section below.
Benefits - What's new for 2025:
This page gives a quick view of what is new and changing for 2025. Sections include:
Benefit Vendor Resources:
To help you further explore the benefit plans and offers available to you, our Benefit Vendor Resources page includes links to short videos, flyers, and much more.
Benefits Contact Page:
Includes contact information for all of our current vendors. View the Open Enrollment Vendor Contact page to see the popup list, or open it in PDF to use interactive links.
November 4, 2024, will kick off the In-Person Regional Open Enrollment Benefit Expos starting at Rio Salado Community College. Not only will you be able to schedule vaccination appointments and Biometric Screenings during the In-Person Regional Benefit Expos, but you will be able to connect with benefit plan representatives and our expert benefit team members to get specific questions answered.
10/22/24 - Red Mountain Campus - 7110 E. McKellips Rd, Mesa
10:00 am - 12:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
10/29/24 - Gateway Community College - Washington Campus, 108 N. 40th St., Phoenix
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
10/31/24 - Mesa Community College - Dobson Campus, 1833 Southern Avenue, Mesa
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
Mesa’s Biometrics Screen appointments are already full. If there is interest in additional sessions (for 10 or more individuals), LapCorp will consider extending the time and adding additional appointments. If you are interested in a biometric screen at Mesa but have not yet booked an appointment, please notify Wellness Maricopa at wellness.maricopa@domail.maricopa.edu.
11/12/24 - Estrella Mountain Community College - 3000 N. Dysart Rd, Avondale
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/13/24 - South Mountain Community College - 7050 S. 24th Street, Phoenix
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/14/24 - Chandler-Gilbert Community College - 2626 E. Pecos Road, Chandler
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/19/24 - Scottsdale Community College - 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
10:00 am - 2:30 pm Biometric Screenings
To view Parking Directional Campus Maps, or sign up for a vaccination clinic or biometric screening, visit the Open Enrollment College Benefits Events webpage.
Wellness Maricopa will present the interim wellness incentive program in detail, including changes to the health risk credit for employees enrolled in the medical plan. Allotted Q&A time will be reserved at the end of the presentation.
Mon, October 28, 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm
View Session Links & Add to Calendar
Don’t miss out on Vision Plan Updates Town Hall scheduled today at 3:00 pm. EyeMed will give a detailed presentation of our two New Vision Plans and all the benefits that come with being an EyeMed member.
The MCCCD Benefits team will review the Dental, Life, & Disability Plans in next week's Town Hall webinar.
Metlife Life Short Term Disability
What is Short Term Disability?
Simply put, short term disability is a non-occupational instance that puts you out of work temporarily, such as an injury, illness, pregnancy, childbirth, or procedure recovery. When one of these incidents happens, you may be able to qualify for benefits if you are enrolled in a short term disability insurance plan ahead of time.
No one foresees needing disability benefits. But, should a problem arise, having short term disability insurance can help you cover your essential living expenses such as car payments, groceries, childcare, mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, and other household expenses. Premiums are conveniently paid through payroll deductions, so you don’t have to worry about writing a check or missing a payment.
Although disability insurance is used by employees as an income replacement when they are unable to work due to an illness or injury, it is important to note that disability insurance only replaces some of the lost income, not all.
MCCCD has two short term disability plans available for employees:
Voluntary Short Term Disability - Coverage Period 15-90 days after the incident
Company Paid Short Term Disability - Coverage Period 91-180 days after incident
What is Voluntary Short Term Disability Insurance?
Voluntary Short Term Disability (STD) Insurance is an optional elected employee-paid short term disability policy available through MetLife. If enrolled in this plan, the employee becomes unable to work due to an injury, illness, or procedure. Direct payments to the employee are made weekly after a 14-day waiting period, up to 90 days from the initial date of disablement. Accrued time off (sick or vacation) can be paid prior to and in addition to any funds from the Short Term Disability plan.
Current employees not already enrolled: If you have not participated in the Voluntary Short-TermShort Term Disability plan prior to Open Enrollment, you may elect any amount up to 66.67% of your monthly pay, no more than $4,000. You will be required to submit Evidence of Insurability (EOI) through MetLife’s Statement of Health (SOH) process. MetLife will send you an email to start the SOH process.
Current Employees already enrolled: You can increase one level of coverage at each Open Enrollment period, without having to complete an EOI, up to a max of 66.67% of your monthly pay, or $4,000 per month in coverage.
This coverage provides additional financial protection for your family, ensuring peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
What is Company Paid Short Term Disability Insurance?
Our Company Paid Short Term Disability Insurance is an Employer-provided short term disability insurance plan that provides additional financial protection if you are unable to work due to an injury, illness, or procedure and cannot perform the duties of your job. As a benefit-eligible employee, you are automatically enrolled in this plan during your benefits enrollment period at no cost to you.
When combined with other sources of benefits and income, such as, but not limited to, Social Security, etc., this short term disability insurance plan provides direct payments to the employee made weekly from the 91st day through the 180th day of disablement up to 66.67% of your base annual salary, to a maximum monthly benefit of $4,000.
Please Note: All accrued time (sick and vacation) must be used up before payments will begin on this plan.
For more information, including how to manage short term disability claims, visit the Benefits Short Term Disability webpage.
MCCCD disability plans do not cover disablement due to workplace injury or sickness. These types of incidents are covered by our Worker's Compensation plan.
Please stop by our annual Vaccination Clinics that will begin October 22, 2024, at MCC’s Red Mountain Campus. Besides getting your shots, you will be able to speak with expert benefit team members who will be available to answer any Open Enrollment questions at the Wellness and Open Enrollment Stations. In addition, Mesa Community College’s Dobson Campus will host biometric screenings as part of the Wellness Incentive Health Risk Credits Redesign for employees living and working in the East Valley. The following clinics will be available in October.
10/22/24 - Red Mountain Campus - 7110 E. McKellips Rd, Mesa
10:00 am - 12:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
10/29/24 - Gateway Community College - Washington Campus, 108 N. 40th St., Phoenix
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
10/31/24 - Mesa Community College - Dobson Campus, 1833 Southern Avenue, Mesa
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
The Vaccination Clinics will be brought to you from the Little Clinic by Kroger Health in partnership with Wellness Maricopa. The CDC recommends any age-appropriate vaccine product for people six months and older. If you have specific questions about the appropriateness of a vaccine, please consult your Primary Care Physician (PCP) before your vaccination appointment. Vaccines that will be available include:
Flu Vaccine - High Dose for ages 65+ ( $95 w/o insurance)
Seasonal Flu Vaccine - ages 12 months+ ($45 w/o insurance)
Flublok - ages 18+ ($95 w/o insurance)
RSV - ages 75+ ($350 w/o insurance)
Pfizer COVID vaccine ($171 w/o insurance)
Shingrix - ages 50+ ($230 w/o insurance)
Find the vaccination sign-up link that pertains to your campus in the tables located on the Open Enrollment Benefit Events webpage to schedule your vaccination appointment. Vaccination clinics are available to all employees and their families. Your picture ID and insurance card will be required at the time of service; premade copies will help alleviate delays in the process. Credit card payments will be accepted for part-time adjuncts, part-time staff, and student employees without insurance. Walk-ins will also be welcome, provided there are still time slots available.
November 4, 2024, will kick off the In-Person Regional Open Enrollment Benefit Expos starting at Rio Salado Community College. Not only will you be able to schedule vaccination appointments and Biometric Screenings during the In-Person Regional Benefit Expos, but you will be able to connect with benefit plan representatives and our expert benefit team members to get specific questions answered.
Additional November Vaccination Clinics with Wellness & Open Enrollment Stations
11/12/24 - Estrella Mountain Community College - 3000 N. Dysart Rd, Avondale
10:00 am - 2:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/13/24 - South Mountain Community College - 7050 S. 24th Street, Phoenix
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
11/14/24 - Chandler-Gilbert Community College - 2626 E. Pecos Road, Chandler
10:00 am - 1:00 pm Vaccination Appt Times
To view Parking Directional Campus Maps, or sign up for a vaccination clinic or biometric screening, visit the Open Enrollment Benefit Events webpage.
Kroger Health will offer a $5 off coupon for the flu vaccine only, a $20 off coupon for Flu + another vaccine. Coupons can be used at any Fry’s store here in Phoenix; one coupon per transaction.
You and your family are invited to attend our Open Enrollment Town Hall webinars to learn more about changes in your Benefit plans and get your questions answered. Each session in the series listed below will include the same presentation but may address different questions depending on the audience. You and your dependents are welcome to attend one or all sessions.
If you missed the first town hall in our series, the recording and slide deck are now available for viewing What’s Changing Town Hall Recording & Slide Deck.
See the whole Town Hall Series Titles and Dates and Add Links to Your Calendar.
Metlife Life Insurance Plans
What is Life Insurance?
Life insurance is a contract between an insurance company and a policyholder that provides financial security to the policyholder's loved ones after they pass away. The policyholder makes regular payments, called premiums, to the insurance company, who then pays a death benefit to the beneficiaries when the policyholder dies.
MCCCD Company Paid Group Term Life Insurance
MCCCD offers a Company Paid group term life insurance that offers an affordable way to provide essential protection for employees during their employment period. Here are some key points:
Cost-Effective Coverage: It provides a base level of life insurance at a lower cost compared to individual policies.
Coverage Duration: Also known as the “term”, the coverage lasts as long as the employee is employed, ending when they retire or leave, unless premiums are no longer paid.
No Cash Value: Unlike whole life insurance, there’s no cash accumulation; the benefit is only paid if the insured dies within the term.
Tax Benefits: Benefits paid to beneficiaries are typically income-tax-free.
Legal Benefits: Will preparation and Estate resolution services are available online.
Portability Options: Employees have options to continue coverage after leaving the employer, making it flexible for their needs.
This type of insurance can complement personal savings and other benefits, providing financial support to families in case of an untimely death.
MCCCD also offers supplemental life insurance for our employees.
Supplemental Life Insurance is a voluntary, employee-paid option that enhances your life insurance coverage beyond the company-provided plan. Here are the key details:
Eligibility: You can elect coverage for your spouse/domestic partner and child(ren) during open enrollment.
Evidence of Insurability (EOI): Any new elections or increases in coverage amounts will require a Statement of Health, which must be approved by MetLife.
Notification Process: If your coverage requires EOI, MetLife will send you an email with instructions on how to complete the Statement of Health process.
Legal Benefits: In addition to online services for will preparation and Estate resolution services, you will have access to “face to face” meetings for services.
This coverage provides additional financial protection for your family, ensuring peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
What is Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance?
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance provides coverage for unintentional injuries resulting in death or dismemberment. Here are the main points:
Coverage: AD&D insurance pays benefits in the event of accidental death or dismemberment, which includes the loss or loss of use of body parts or functions, such as limbs, speech, eyesight, and hearing.
Benefits Structure: In cases of accidental death, the full benefit amount is typically paid to the beneficiary. For dismemberment, the payout varies based on the specific loss incurred.
MCCCD also provides supplemental AD&D insurance for our employees.
During open enrollment, you can purchase dependent coverage or additional coverage at the rates specified in the Open Enrollment Booklet. Benefit coverage reduces to 50% starting at age 70. While the maximum level of coverage is $500,000 you may not elect more than 10x your annual base pay. Here are some key details:
Benefit Structure:
100%: Paid for accidental death or loss of both feet, both hands, sight in both eyes, or loss of both speech and hearing in both ears.
70%: Paid for the accidental loss of one limb.
50%: Paid for the accidental loss of one hand, one foot, sight in one eye, or loss of speech or hearing in one ear.
25%: Paid for the accidental loss of the thumb and index finger on the same hand.
This coverage can provide significant financial support in the event of an accident, ensuring you and your dependents are protected.
You may also cover your dependents with Supplemental AD&D Insurance.
You have the option to cover your dependent spouse/domestic partner and child(ren) with Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance. As you are covering your dependents, you are automatically the beneficiary for each plan. Here’s how the coverage works:
If you cover Spouse/Domestic Partner and Child(ren):
Spouse/Domestic Partner: The employee receives 40% of their coverage amount.
Child(ren): The employee receives 10% of their coverage amount.
If you cover your Spouse/Domestic Partner Only:
Spouse/Domestic Partner: The employee receives 50% of their coverage amount.
If you only cover Dependent Child(ren):
Child(ren): The employee receives 15% of their coverage amount.
This structure allows you to extend valuable protection to your loved ones, providing them with financial support in case of accidental events.
For more information on Life and AD&D insurance, visit our Benefits webpage.
Metlife will also be available during the Dental, Life, & Disability Town Hall to answer any questions you might have regarding Life & Disability plans.
Thurs., 10/24/24, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Wed., 10/30/24, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Helpful Term Definitions
Beneficiary. The person or financial institution that receives the insurance proceeds when the policyholder dies.
Insured. The person or people covered by the policy.
Evidence of Insurability (EOI). An Evidence of Insurability (EOI) can also be referred to as Medical Evidence of Insurability (MEOI) and is the information that is collected for insurance underwriters to review and determine the coverage level they will approve based on risk.
Statement of Health (SOH). A document that asks questions about a person's overall health. It's also known as "evidence of good health" or "Medical Evidence of Insurability".
Premiums. The amount of money paid to the insurance company on a monthly or annual basis to maintain coverage.
Accidental death benefit. An additional benefit paid out if the policyholder dies in an accident.
Term Life Insurance. Life insurance that provides coverage at a fixed rate of payments for a limited period of time, the relevant term.
Did you know that each year MCCCD updates the Annual Benefits Legal Notices in our Benefits Guide? These Annual Notices have been at the end of the guide each year. In order to make the annual notices easier for our employees to find, we are taking them out of the guide and publishing them on our existing Benefits Forms, Documents, and Links webpage.
The Annual Acknowledgements & Disclosures typically include the following information:
Important Plan Information including the “No Surprises Rule,” Plan Documents including, the Plan Summaries, Health Plan Notices, COBRA Continuation Coverage, Availability of Privacy Practices Notices, and ACA Disclaimer
Medicare Part D Notice
Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act
Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act
HIPAA Notice of Special Enrollment Rights
Premium Assistance under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Wellness Maricopa offers Wellness Incentive Credits (WIC) for employees enrolled in coverage in a Maricopa Medical Plan. WICs help offset medical premiums, as well as reinforce how important employee health and well-being are to Maricopa.
Representatives from the faculty, staff, administration, and affiliate groups have been working behind the scenes to redesign the Wellness Incentive Credit (WIC) program in an effort to advocate for and promote employee engagement in well-being events, initiatives, communications, and programs throughout the district. The WIC Redesign Project Team is nearing the end of the RFP process for procuring a district-wide wellness platform.
An interim solution to begin the 2025 plan year has been developed to ensure continuity of service. The Wellness Incentive Credit (WIC) information below will begin effective January 1, 2025, and continue until the wellness platform is implemented with the new WIC plan design.
Non-Tobacco Use Credits
Currently, you are eligible for a $30/month credit when you complete a Google form indicating that you don’t smoke, are in a smoking cessation program, or are enrolling in a program in the next six months. This will not change.
If you already receive the non-tobacco credit, you do not have to take any action to continue to receive it.
If you do not currently receive the non-tobacco use credit, and would like to receive this WIC, complete the questionnaire at this link: http://www.maricopa.edu/2025-non-tobacco-use The deadline to complete the questionnaire for the 2025 plan year is November 22, 2024, at 5 pm.
Health Risk Credits
Currently, you are eligible for a $20/month credit when you enroll in the MCCCD medical plan. Starting in January 2025, you will be eligible for this credit only when you do one of the following:
Complete a biometric screening at one of the 2025 Open Enrollment planned Events.1
Complete a biometric screening at any participating testing facility with a voucher by November 22, 2024.1
Complete an annual Primary Care Physician (PCP) preventive visit, also known as an annual wellness visit or annual physical, on or between November 1, 2023, and November 22, 2024.2
1Biometric screens help you identify and monitor (over time) any concerning health conditions and include assessments of Cholesterol, Blood Sugar, Blood Pressure, Height, Weight, BMI, and Waist Circumference. They promote engagement in preventive health so you can make educated decisions about your healthcare.
2If you choose to see your PCP for an annual preventive visit, MCCCD will get confirmation from Banner|Aetna. Updates will not include any protected health information but will only show if a PCP preventive visit was completed. Benefits will send a communication to you to inform you whether MCCCD has received confirmation.
*Credits will only be paid on the first and second payroll checks of each month for every month of the year.
As we embark on a new plan year, MCCCD is dedicated to providing you with up-to-date information about any changes to our wellness and well-being programming. Please be on the lookout for more exciting changes from Wellness Maricopa.
You and your family are invited to attend our Open Enrollment Town Hall webinars to learn more about changes in your Benefit plans and get your questions answered. Each session in the series listed below will include the same presentation but may address different questions depending on the audience. You and your dependents are welcome to attend one or all sessions.
View What’s Changing Town Hall Recording & Slide Deck
See the whole Town Hall Series Titles and Dates and Add Links to Your Calendar.
Medical Plan Changes
In January of 2024 the Benefits department held town halls regarding the financial overview of the state of our medical plans. MCCCD has a self-funded medical plan which means that we pay for all of our own medical costs from employee premiums and employer contributions. These funds are deposited into a Health Funding Account. Because we had not increased employee medical premiums or employer contributions in the past seven (7) years, we held a Special Medical Only Open Enrollment in April 2024 with premium increases that became effective July 1, 2024.
Working with the Employee Benefits Advisory Committee (EBAC), the recommendation to make additional changes to not only our medical premiums but also medical coverages became necessary to keep costs from jumping too high, too fast. The goal for 2025 is to have a cost share of 10.6% paid by the employee in their premiums. To do this, MCCCD had to make adjustments to certain levels of coverage that are shown in the tables below.
How Your Medical Plans Work
Deductible. A deductible is the In-Network or Out-of-Network (if applicable) amount you pay for health care services before your health insurance begins to pay. As the chart below shows, Out-of-Network is not covered under the Core Plan, and the Out-of-Network amount for the Buy Up Plan is higher than the In-Network deductible.
How it works: For our Core plan, the In-Network deductible is $1,000; you’ll pay 100 percent of eligible healthcare expenses until the bills total $1,000. After that, you share the cost with your plan by paying your coinsurance of 20%. Your deductible is generally required for procedures, lab tests, hospital stays and complex medical imaging such as an MRI, PET scan or CT.
Below you can see the current plan year deductible and the changes for 2025. Changes for 2025 are in Blue.
Coinsurance. Coinsurance for both plans is not changing for 2025. A coinsurance is your share of the costs of a healthcare service. It's usually figured as a percentage of the amount your plan allows to be charged for services. For our plans, it is based on the contracted rate your in-network providers agree to by being part of the Aetna Broad Network. You start paying coinsurance after you've met your plan's deductible. We have two plans to choose from. Your coinsurance for the Core plan is 20% In-Network after you have met your deductible, with Out-of-Network costs not covered on the Core plan. The coinsurance for the Buy Up plan is 15% In-Network and 50% Out-of-Network once you have met your deductible.
Out-of-Pocket Max. The out-of-pocket max is the most you could pay in a calendar year for covered services. If you have other family members in your plan, they have to meet their own out-of-pocket limits until the overall family out-of-pocket max has been met.
The out-of-pocket maximum does not include your monthly premiums. It typically includes your deductible, coinsurance and copays, including prescription costs. Below is the out-of-pocket maximum for each plan we offer.
Below are the Out-of-Pocket Maximums for the two plans. Changes for 2025 are in Blue.
Copay. A copay is a fixed amount you pay for a health care service, usually when you receive the service. The amount can vary by the type of service.
How it works: Your plan determines what your copay is for different types of services, and when you have one. You may have a copay before you’ve finished paying toward your deductible. You may also have a copay after you pay your deductible, and when you owe coinsurance.
Below are the coinsurance and copay rates for each plan we offer. Changes for 2025 are in Blue.
Tier 1: Generic, Tier 2: Preferred Brands, Tier 3: Non-preferred Brands
The Banner|Aetna Concierge can help you estimate costs before you make an appointment or schedule a procedure.
For more information about our medical plans visit our Benefits Medical Plan webpage.
Don’t miss our next scheduled Open Enrollment Benefit Town Hall Series, “Medical, EAP, & Prescription Plan Updates.”
You and your family are invited to attend our Open Enrollment Benefits Town Halls series hosted by the MCCCD Human Resources Benefits Department. In place of Virtual Expos, we are planning more detailed Town Hall webinars. Each session in each series will include the same presentation. For those unable to attend one or more sessions, all series presentations will be recorded and made available along with a Q&A documentation.
Medical, EAP, & Prescription Plan Updates
Benefits will present the medical, prescription, and EAP plan changes in detail with Alliant, Banner|Aetna, Virta, Aetna Resources for Living, and Capital Rx. Allotted Q&A time will be reserved at the end of the presentation.
Mon., 10/7/24, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Thurs., 10/10/24, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Wed., 11/20/24, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm
View Joining Information & Add to Calendar
See the whole Town Hall Series Titles and Dates and Add Links to Your Calendar.
When choosing your dental plan, there are some important differences. We offer two different types of plans through our dental carrier, Solstice. The Solstice Dental Comparison Chart outlines the plans’ differences in copays, deductibles, co-insurance rates, and maximums, as well as provides examples of services that fall into the different tiers for each plan. While the chart has great information, there are additional nuances to take into account when choosing the right plan. Reviewing the following information can help when determining which plan is best for you.
Solstice Dental Plan Options
Dental PPO (DPPO) Plans
Solstice High DPPO
Solstice Low DPPO
Dental HMO (DHMO) Plan
Solstice S700B DHMO
If a DPPO plan is the type of plan more suited for your needs, you should also know the out-of-network distinctions between the Solstice High DPPO and the Solstice Low DPPO plans. Besides the differences in premiums and all of the elements outlined in the Dental Comparison Chart, one significant distinction is how out-of-network claim costs are calculated for each plan. This is a critical distinction because they are not calculated the same, and this calculation determines the amount to which your co-insurance coverage percentage is applied.
Using Out-of-Network providers with the DPPO plans
The Solstice High DPPO plan uses Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UCR) pricing: The cost of the service is calculated using the 90th percentile of provider charges in your area; in other words what
9 out of 10 providers in your area charge for any given service.
The Solstice Low DPPO plan uses Maximum Allowable Charge (MAC) pricing: The out-of-network benefits are based on the fees for dental procedures negotiated between the in-network providers and the insurance company.
Let’s dive into an example that shows how your two DPPO plan options will work if you go out-of-network with a basic filling dental procedure.
Out-of-Network Provider Example - Service: Filling*
*Example assumes out-of-network deductible has already been met.
Additional examples are provided in the Solstice UCR vs. MAC out-of-network flier.
Another important point about receiving out-of-network services is that the providers will not always file the claim on your behalf as in-network providers do. In these instances, you will be responsible for the total cost at the point of service and will need to file an out-of-network claim using the Claim Form to recover the portion that the insurance covers.
How do you determine if your provider is in or out of Solstice’s network or one of their network partners (United Concordia or GEHA solutions - formerly known as Connection Dental or PPOUSA)?
We published a Solstice article in a 2023 HR Weekly Newsletter that explains just that.
What do I do if my provider is not listed in my plan network?
Solstice is continually recruiting new providers to the network. If your provider is not displaying in their provider search as a participating dentist, you can provide them with your nomination, and Solstice will gladly begin the recruitment process.
To nominate a provider, please visit www.SmileMaricopa.com and select the “Provider Nomination Form” under the “Member Resources” drop-down menu.
Complete the form to the best of your ability and submit it.
You can expect the typical recruitment to take between 30-90 days, depending on the provider.
Need help choosing the right dental plan?
We recommend employees prioritize dental care needs when selecting their plan to ensure you get the best coverage. You can visit SmileMaricopa.com for Plan Selection Tools. From there, you can select the “Choose the right dental plan” tool tab, which will help you evaluate the best plan for you and your family.
Solstice Contact Information
Phone: 1-844-224-4903, available Mon - Fri from 6 am to 6 pm AZ Time
Email: mcccd@solsticebenefits.com
Website and Chat: www.smilemaricopa.edu
Helpful Term Definitions
In-Network. A list of providers that an insurance plan contracts with to provide care to its members.
Out-of-Network. A provider that is not contracted with the insurance plan.
Schedule of Benefits. The schedule of benefits is a document that lists all the procedures your plan covers and what you pay for each procedure.
Deductible. A deductible is a specific dollar amount you must pay before the insurance carrier will pay your claims.
Annual Maximum. Is the highest annual amount an insurance company will pay towards your dental care in a specific period of time (i.e. January through December).
Reminders
Opt-In to Printed Mailed Open Enrollment Guide - Deadline 5 pm, Friday 9/27/24
Open Enrollment is your opportunity to review your benefit choices, enroll or change medical, dental, and vision plans, add or drop dependents, and enroll or re-enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts. After Open Enrollment ends, you cannot change your benefit elections until the next Open Enrollment period unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event.
What’s New and What’s Changing
At MCCCD, we are committed to continuously reevaluating our benefits program to offer you and your family comprehensive and affordable options. This year, we would like you to be aware of some changes to your benefits:
As part of the Multi-Year Strategic Medical Benefits and Fiscal Sustainability Project presented in Spring 2024, Medical Premiums will be increasing to 10.6% of the medical plan costs.
Medical and Prescription plan design changes will be announced in our first “What’s Changing town hall”.
The wellness incentive credit program will be modified to promote employee engagement - more information to come.
EyeMed will replace VSP as the new vision plan provider starting on January 1, 2025. EyeMed provides improved benefits and a vast network of eye care professionals, and will offer a basic Core plan as well as a first-time-ever Buy-Up option plan.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Plan Design Change
Counseling sessions for employee (excluding first-responders) will transition from 10 to 6 per issue for unlimited issues.
Other Upcoming Changes:
In place of Virtual Expos, we are planning more detailed Town Halls. Check out the Benefit Town Hall Series announcement below.
DOHR Benefits and the College HR departments will host five Regional In-Person Benefit Expos
Continued vaccine clinics will be offered at all colleges with Wellness and Benefit Q&A stations.
This year’s Open Enrollment is different!
You must OPT-IN to receive an Open Enrollment Guide mailed to your home.
Some of our new benefit systems are able to support English or Spanish language options; please indicate your preference.
Please scan the QR Code, or click on the 2025 OE Preference Form to submit your response. Responses must be received by 5 pm 9/27/24.
If you do not complete the response form, your default options for receiving guides will be electronic formatted versions.
You and your family are invited to attend our Open Enrollment Town Hall webinars to learn more about changes in your Benefit plans and get your questions answered. Each session in the series listed below will include the same presentation but may address different questions depending on the audience. You and your dependents are welcome to attend one or all sessions.
For those unable to attend one or more sessions, all series presentations will be recorded and made available along with Q&A documentation.
Open Enrollment runs from November 4th through November 22nd, 2024. Open Enrollment is your opportunity to enroll, cancel coverage, or make changes to your coverage in the health care plan, AD&D, STD, and supplemental life insurance, and/or enroll in flexible spending accounts for 2025.
Ensure you are ready for the upcoming enrollment by reviewing your information in the My Benefits Portal.
View your current benefits; see View Your Benefits Video for help.
Validate your dependents’ names and social security numbers, and
Update beneficiaries if needed; see Manage Beneficiaries Video or Manage Beneficiaries QRG for help.
Confirm that your home address is correct in HCM to assure all vendors have your correct contact information; see View/Edit Personal Information QRG for help.
Changes made during Open Enrollment will be effective on January 1, 2025, for the plan year that ends December 31, 2025.
Our current agreement with VSP for vision insurance ends December 31, 2024. The District recently completed a formal competitive bid process where proposals for employee vision insurance were requested. The proposals were evaluated, finalists were interviewed, and EyeMed was invited to submit a best and final offer after everyone on the committee selected EyeMed as their first choice.
Not only are you guaranteed five years of premium rates at a 5% discount from our current plan premium rates applied to the new Core Vision plan, but EyeMed is also offering a Buy-Up Vision plan, providing you with an additional option for vision care.
EyeMed vision benefits provide you with an affordable vision plan that includes membership to Eye360, which features a $0 eye exam, along with additional dollars to spend on materials at Plus Providers. Both the Core and Buy-Up plans additionally include:
Additional Pair Benefit: 40% off + $100 allowance at Plus Providers ($50 at other providers)
$0 copay for Standard Progressives, Child Polycarbonate, and Retinal Imaging Coverage
See the EyeMed Plan Comparison Chart for more details.
EyeMed has thousands of vision network providers with the right mix of independent eye doctors and national and regional retail providers. Members have the freedom to choose any ophthalmic frame, lens, or contact lens without restrictions at any of the retail providers, independent provider locations, or online. EyeMed’s in-network options for buying eyewear online include glasses.com, contactsdirect.com, lenscrafters.com, oakley.com, targetoptical.com, and rayban.com, with benefits applied directly to the shopping cart. Members also enjoy exclusive savings on LASIK, including $800 off at preferred providers or 5% off the in-store promotional price.
EyeMed’s cost-estimator tool, Know Before You Go, lets members get a feel for what they might pay out-of-pocket on a range of lens types, options, and add-ons with benefits applied. Additional digital tools include online scheduling, a mobile app, and personalized text alerts.
The complimentary HealthyEyes Wellness program focuses on eye health with online articles, videos, and healthy recipes that support eye vitality. As part of HealthyEyes, the EyeRewards program rewards members for taking care of their vision health with savings, prizes, and wellness tips. EyeMed teamed up with Amplifon, the nation’s largest independent hearing discount network, to add affordable hearing care to every EyeMed vision benefit package. And with their Vision Abroad benefit, if you lose or break your glasses while traveling abroad, you’ll be taken care of.
Vision benefits are so much more than an eye exam. They may help you save money, stay healthy, and see everything life has to offer. If you don’t wear glasses, do you really need vision benefits? You bet. Eyesight changes all the time, and serious health problems can show early signs through your eyes. An eye exam can spot early signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Not to mention cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Detect it sooner. Treat it sooner. To learn more read the EyeMed article, “Is it time to schedule an Eye Exam?”
The Benefits Department supports the District's Vision, Mission, and Values by providing Benefit services to the 10 MCCCD Colleges, 2 Skill Centers, and the District Office.
Our Staff displays innovation, professionalism, and the skills to provide outstanding service to all our customers.