Benjamin Franklin
Month: October 2021
Categories
Explore more
EXPLORE MORE
NOVEMBER 2021
Check out the Aetna Dental® EPP Plan
Here’s something to smile about. Depending on your location, you may be able to enhance your dental coverage during Annual Enrollment, November 1-23, by selecting the Aetna Dental EPP Plan.
With the Aetna Dental EPP Premium and EPP Core plan options, you can take advantage of these benefits:
- Higher annual maximums — more dollars to spend on dental expenses
- Higher orthodontia lifetime maximum benefit
- Coverage for white (resin) fillings
Looking for more? Find other articles below
The benefits of in-network-only care
The Aetna Dental EPP Plan offers coverage for in-network-only care. This means there’s no coverage for providers who are outside the Aetna® network.* And the plan offers benefits for both your oral health and your wallet:
- Quality care In-network dental providers must meet strict quality measures to join the Aetna network. This means better care for you and your family.
- No-cost preventive care The Aetna Dental EPP Plan covers two routine exams and two cleanings per year, plus routine X-rays at 100% with no deductible. These services help keep your teeth and gums healthy and contribute to your overall health.
- Lower costs In-network dental providers bill based on the Aetna contracted rates, which are typically lower than non-contracted rates. This reduces your out-of-pocket amount and stretches your annual maximum benefit.
*Except for emergencies. Please review your plan documents for specifics about out-of-network emergency coverage.
Note: The Aetna Dental EPP Plan is not available in Hawaii or Puerto Rico. Learn which dental plans are available in your location by checking the resources listed below.
Categories
Learn the basics
LEARN THE BASICS
NOVEMBER 2021
Review your benefits coverage
Your 2021 may have included a new marriage, a new baby, a promotion, your first home or a newly empty nest. And whenever your life changes, it’s time to ask yourself if your benefits coverage should change, too. During Annual Enrollment, November 1–23, you’re able to add to or change your benefits coverage to better meet your financial needs — and provide for those you love.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Secure your financial well-being
Your Costco benefits include three types of coverage to help protect your finances if the unexpected happens, or you’re unable to work for medical reasons. These include life, accidental death & dismemberment, and disability insurance. All are administered by Unum.
Life benefit coverage is there when you aren’t, to keep your family’s finances healthy. It pays a cash benefit in case of your death to a person (or persons) you choose as your beneficiary. If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan or Costco Long-Term Disability benefit coverage, you and your family members are automatically covered by Basic Life coverage at no cost to you.
Want more? During Annual Enrollment, you can buy additional coverage with Supplemental Life benefits for yourself, your spouse or domestic partner, and/or your child(ren).
When you first select and/or increase your Supplemental Life coverage, you may have to provide Evidence of Insurability (EOI). Unum will let you know if EOI is needed and how to complete it. Your new coverage levels will go into effect when Unum approves your application. If you’re on a leave of absence, the new levels will go into effect when you return to active employment.
Accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage pays a benefit if you’re injured or die as the result of an accident. Depending on your injury, the benefit is a percentage of the total benefit amount you’re eligible for. It’s paid in addition to any life insurance benefit. Costco provides AD&D coverage at no cost to you.
Disability insurance helps replace income lost when you’re not able to work because of an illness, injury or other medical condition (such as pregnancy).
- Unless you live in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York or Puerto Rico, you’re automatically enrolled for Voluntary Short-Term Disability (STD).* You pay a small portion of your base weekly earnings for coverage.
- If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan, you’re automatically enrolled for Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance. There’s no cost to you. If you’re not enrolled in a Costco medical plan but are enrolled in other Costco benefits, you can elect LTD insurance and pay part of the cost.
*If you add STD insurance during Annual Enrollment, coverage will begin July 1 of the following year, after a six-month waiting period, as long as you’re actively at work. If you’re on a leave of absence on the effective date, your coverage will begin when you return to active employment.
Why choose a beneficiary?
Your beneficiary is the person (or persons) you choose to receive the funds from your Costco benefits (life, AD&D and retirement plan) in case of your death. It’s important to keep your beneficiary choices up to date, so you can be sure the right people receive your benefits.
Without a designated beneficiary, your life benefit may not go to the correct person — or your loved ones will have to take extra steps to access your life benefit. Therefore, it’s important for all employees to designate their life and AD&D beneficiaries by logging in to the Enrollment Website on Costcobenefits.com. Or you can call the Enrollment Center at 800-541-6205.
Annual Enrollment is a good time to update your beneficiary, but you can change it at any time during the year.
Annual Enrollment is November 1–23.
You can add to or change your life, AD&D or disability insurance on the Enrollment Website at Costcobenefits.com.
Categories
Take Action
TAKE ACTION
NOVEMBER 2021
Why is the flu shot important?
Flu season is well underway. If you haven’t already gotten your annual flu shot, now is the time to get it. Flu shots are available — at no cost to you — at any Costco pharmacy. If you don’t have a Costco pharmacy within 25 miles, you can also get a free flu shot from an in-network provider.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Getting vaccinated will help protect you from the discomfort and potential complications of the influenza (flu) virus. It will also help keep your family, friends and co-workers safe and healthy during flu season.
Influenza (the flu) is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, particularly in young children, older adults and people with certain medical conditions. Getting the vaccine — though not 100% effective — is the best way to prevent the misery of the flu and its complications.
. . .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccines for everyone age 6 months or older.1
. . .
This year’s flu shot will offer protection against four of the influenza viruses expected to be in circulation this flu season. High-dose flu vaccines will be available for adults age 65 and older.
It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot. But you can benefit from the vaccine even if you don’t get it until after the flu season starts.
Still not convinced you should get a flu shot?
Take a look at these five common myths about the flu and flu shots.
#1. Flu shots can cause the flu.
The flu shot is made from an inactivated flu virus. It cannot make you sick.
#2. Flu shots don’t work.
Studies show that the flu shot reduces the risk of getting the flu by 40–60%.
#3. Flu shot side effects are worse than the flu itself.
The flu shot can cause side effects — mild aches, fatigue, headache or fever. The flu can cause serious illness lasting days or weeks.
#4. Healthy people don’t die from the flu.
Influenza (the flu) is a serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and death, even in healthy people.
#5. I never get the flu, so I don’t need to be vaccinated.
Being fortunate in the past doesn’t mean you’ll be so lucky this year.
Who needs the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is especially important for people at high risk for complications, including:
- Pregnant women
- Older adults
- Young children
- People with weakened immune systems
Chronic medical conditions also can increase your risk for complications from the flu. Examples include:
- Asthma
- Cancer or cancer treatment
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Heart disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes
- Brain or nervous system conditions
- HIV/AIDS
- Kidney or liver disease
- Obesity
Anyone with a chronic medical condition or living in a nursing or other long-term care facility should also get the flu vaccine.
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Influenza vaccination: a summary for clinicians. Accessed October 5, 2021.
Source: Mayoclinic.org. Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza. Accessed October 5, 2021.
Vaccinations are an important way to help you and your family stay healthy. We’re here to support you with these and other resources you need for your well-being journey.
Categories
November 1-23, 2021
Annual Enrollment liftoff!
NOVEMBER 1-23, 2021
Annual Enrollment is your opportunity to review your Costco benefits, make changes and confirm eligibility for your enrolled dependents. An Annual Enrollment letter and the 2022 Benefits Plan Changes Booklet were mailed to you the last week of October. The booklet contains details about your enhanced 2022 benefits. You also can view the booklet on Costcobenefits.com.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Ready to launch into 2022 with enhanced benefits?
Here’s a handy checklist to ensure you have a successful Annual Enrollment.
Review your current benefit plan elections on the Enrollment Website located on Costcobenefits.com.
Complete the Dependent Verification by November 23 to continue coverage for your family members, even if you don’t make any changes to your benefits.
Sign up for text reminders on the Enrollment Website located on Costcobenefits.com.
Consider the Aetna Dental® EPP Plan. This is an in-network-only dental plan that offers higher annual limits and a higher lifetime benefit for orthodontic services.
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Enroll or re-enroll in a Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and/or Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) for 2022.**
**The HCRA and DCAP are not available to Costco employees in Puerto Rico.
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Review the 2022 Benefits Plan Changes Booklet that was sent to you, or visit Costcobenefits.com to learn more about your enhanced benefits.