HR, Payroll and Benefits News

Inflation Options and Cash Benefit Long-term Care Insurance Available to UW Employees, Annuitants and Family Members
April 27, 2017

Each year, long term insurance plans authorized by the Department of Employee Trust Funds may send out one piece of advertisement to employees and annuitants. The HealthChoice notice is shown below.

In addition to offering long term care insurance, HealthChoice also provides CareOptions services to all State, University of Wisconsin and UW Hospitals & Clinics Employees, Annuitants and their family members at no charge and with no insurance purchase required. To use this service, simply click on the button in the email to request an information packet.  HealthChoice will then send you a confirmation email that will contain a CareOptions access code. The CareOptions Program can assist you and your family members with issues related to wellness, illness, disability or aging. The CareOptions service can help you create Living Wills (advance directives for health care), conduct health care provider searches, medical information research and long-term care planning.

HealthChoice Notification about Long Term Care Insurance Plans 

The MutualCare Custom Solution^®, underwritten by Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company, is along-term care insurance policy available to UW employees, annuitants and their family members (spouse, domestic partner, parents and in-laws are all eligible to apply). In 2015, the Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) authorized the release of lower-cost inflation protection options for the MutualCare Custom Solution ^®.

Each year, many Americans lose income, savings and assets because of long-term care expenses. Long-term care insurance is designed to help protect against the high costs of long-term care services if you or a family member can no longer perform activities of daily living without the need for assistance. For many, long-term care insurance is an important part of planning for long-term financial security.

The MutualCare Custom Solution^® policy offers additional built-in benefits that include:

• Cash benefit can be used to pay for services to support your plan of care. You simply receive the full monthly cash benefit you select to pay for anything at all including family travel expenses, lost income, housekeeping services or other out-of-pocket expenses. There’s no need to collect or submit bills.
• Cash benefits paid on the first day of need with no waiting period allowing you to receive care in the environment you’re most comfortable in with the choice of who can be your caregiver, including spouse/partner, family members or friends. The immediate cash benefit also gives you total control of how you’re spending your benefit dollars.
• Lower cost inflation options that give you more flexibility in policy benefit choices.

To receive an information packet regarding your long-term care Insurance options simply click here. You may also call HealthChoice toll-free at 1-800-833-5823 or in the Madison area at 833-5823. Email at info@healthchoice.com. Direct information link; click or paste in your web browser’s address line: http://www.healthchoice.com/request.php

Long-term care insurance is underwritten by Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company, 3300 Mutual of Omaha Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68175 1-800-775-6000. Policy form: ICC13-LTC13. This policy has exclusions, limitations and reductions and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. Benefits may be provided by a combination of the policy and riders and are subject to underwriting. Premiums will vary depending on the benefits selected. Premium rates may be subject to change. A medical exam may be required for coverage. Not endorsed by or connected with Medicare, Social Security or any other governmental agency. The individual coverage provided contains options only available for State of Wisconsin employees and annuitants. An insurance agent/producer may contact you. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company is solely responsible for all insurance and business decisions.

HealthChoice provides CareOptions services at no charge to UW employees, annuitants and their family members:

HealthChoicealso provides CareOptions services to UW employees, annuitants and their family members at no charge and with no insurance purchase required. To use this service, simply click here to request an information packet– the information and confirmation email you receive will contain your CareOptions access code.

The CareOptions program can assist you or family members with issues related to wellness, illness, disability or aging. As an additional convenience, the CareOptions service can help you and your family members create Living Wills (advance directives for health care) as well as allow you to conduct health care provider searches, medical information research and long-term care planning, 24 hours a day.

To contact HealthChoice, email at info@healthchoice.com.  Visit the website at www.healthchoice.com. Call (800) 833-5823 or Fax (608) 833-7540.

This insurance plan has been authorized by the Group Insurance Board for the purpose of offering long-term care insurance to eligible State of Wisconsin employees and retirees under authority granted by Wis. Stats. § 40.55. The criteria the Board uses includes, but is not limited to: documentation of financial stability, demonstration of a reasonable ratio of claims paid to the premium level, authority to conduct business in the State of Wisconsin, agreeing to conditions for the rate-making process and other administrative conditions. ETF staff and the Board’s actuary review proposals for participation prior to Board approval. However, the Board does not require competitive bids nor a benefit comparison with similar products from other vendors. This insurance has exceptions, limitations and reductions. 

Source: UW Service Center
Categories: WI Retirement System (WRS)