October 30, 2009

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Open Enrollment for Plan Year 2010
Begins November 2, 2009 through November 23, 2009.
Employees must re-enroll every year!

The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Open Enrollment period for State of Delaware active employees begins November 2, 2009 through November 23, 2009.
The FSA program will continue to be administered by ASI. New for Plan Year 2010 is the option of signing up for the optional FSA debit card, or Benny Card, that can be used to pay for eligible medical expenses using pre-tax money.

For more detailed information please refer to the October 23, 2009 FSA Open Enrollment Announcement also available on the ePay Announcement website at http://omb.delaware.gov/epay/announcement.shtml and the FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA) section of this website to learn more.

October 6, 2009
H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Information is available at:

http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/index.html.

September 28, 2009
FIGHT THE FLU – Prevention is your best Defense.
Human Resource Management has partnered with Omega Medical Center to provide on-site visits for seasonal flu shots.
(We anticipate offering H1N1 flu shots at a later date.)

Click here for dates and locations where seasonal flu shots are being offered.

September 23, 2009
Breach Notification by Express Scripts

In October 2008, Express Scripts received a letter from an unknown person or persons trying to extort money from the company. This unknown person or persons threatened to expose millions of the company’s members’ records on the Internet if the extortion threat was not met. The extortion letter included personal information on 75 members, including their social security numbers, addresses, dates of birth, and in some cases, prescription information. In November 2008, a small number of additional clients also received similar letters concerning this situation. All members whose information was contained in the letters were notified. Express Scripts notified the FBI and an official investigation was launched. At that time the State of Delaware was assured that none of our members had appeared on the list of 75 members and no other communications were received directly from the perpetrators.

In late August 2009, Express Scripts was informed by the FBI that the perpetrator of the crime had recently taken action to prove that he possesses more member records from the same period as those identified in the 2008 extortion attempt. This is not a new data incident. Express Scripts is in the process of notifying these members. Our contacts with Express Scripts on September 22, 2009, have revealed that approximately 4000 State of Delaware members were on the list produced in late August.

Express Scripts is unaware at this time of any actual misuse of any members’ information, but understands the concern that this situation has caused members. In the wake of the 2008 incident, Express Scripts took aggressive action to enhance its security operations and data handling procedures. Express Scripts is committed to protecting the privacy and security of its members’ and clients’ information.

Express Scripts stands firm in their refusal to give in to the demands of the perpetrator and will continue to cooperate fully with the FBI in their investigation. They are taking this situation very seriously and want to reassure current and past members of their commitment to doing everything possible to secure the data.

Additional information is also available at www.esisupports.com.

September 2, 2009
DelaWELL 2009 Health Risk Assessment
Complete the confidential Health Risk Assessment (HRA) between September 15 and December 31, 2009 to be entered into a monthly random prize drawing.

This program is being offered free to all full-time, school district, charter school, higher education employees and non-Medicare eligible retirees, as well as spouses and dependents over 18 who are covered under the State Group Health Insurance Program as of July 1, 2009.

To complete the online HRA go to https://delaware.online.staywell.com
Click Register Now and simply follow the on-screen instructions. For more detailed information go to http://www.delawell.delaware.gov.

July 1, 2009
Disability Insurance Program (DIP) Changes

House Bill 290 passed by the 145th General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Jack Markell effective July 1, 2009 made the following changes: (1) applied any reduction in salary to employees receiving disability benefits on or after July 1, 2009; (2) clarified termination of employment for employees who have exhausted their Short Term Disability period and who are receiving hazard duty pay and/or Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits; and (3) reduced the time frame to file a Level I STD appeal from 180 days to 90 days of the postmark date of The Hartford’s written notice to deny and/or terminate STD benefits.

House Bill 295 passed by the 145th General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Jack Markell changed the elimination period for Short Term Disability benefits from 20 calendar days to 60 calendar days effective August 1, 2009.

Click Here for More Information About Your Disability Insurance Program Changes.

February 19, 2009
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – A new federal law that impacts the health care FSA was recently passed. This law is called the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Act of 2008 (the HEART act). The purpose of this act is to help military personnel called to active duty who may otherwise forfeit dollars set aside in a health care FSA. More detailed information is available by clicking on the following link: http://ben.omb.delaware.gov/fsa/index.shtml.