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We are glad to communicate that a new network agreement between Cigna and UW Medicine/UW Physicians has been agreed to. As a result, In-network access to UW Medicine will not be interrupted as was previously feared; these providers will remain In-network. The specific provider systems concerned are UW Medical Center, (Montlake and Northwest Hospital campuses) and UW Physicians.

Because of the late nature of this agreement, many employees were in talks with Cigna about what to do and the internal processes of the various network agreements are currently being brought back to In-network status. This may take some time to adjust within the systems required to process billing as it should.

In addition to email communications from SPU HR, Cigna will be proactively reaching out to those plan members that were likely to be affected be this issue. This is in the form of a direct phone call, letter, and emails. But if you are concerned about your situation, please reach out to either Cigna or SPU HR. 

Questions?

If you

New Long Term Care Plan Coming for All WA Employees - One-time Opt-out Allowed...

In May 2019, Washington State enacted the Washington Long Term Care Services and Support Trust Act (LTSS) which requires employees in Washington State to pay a 0.58% tax into a Washington State Trust starting in 2022. The tax is paid entirely by employees through payroll deduction. For example, an employee making $50,000 in annual income would pay $290 toward this fund.

Long Term Care (LTC) Insurance is designed to pay for long-term care services received at home, in an assisted living facility or nursing home if you are unable to perform defined “Activities of Daily Living” or suffer from severe cognitive impairment.

The WA LTSS is a state operated program designed to provide up to $36,500 of LTC benefits per person that qualifies. The LTSS also requires care to be provided in WA and only for WA residents. In order to file a claim under the LTSS, employees must have contributed to the fund for 10 years with no more than a 5 year interruption or 3 out of the last 6 years (at the time of filing a claim).

It is clear by this definition that many employees who are close to retirement may be required to contribute taxes to this fund without ever being able to use the benefits. A one-time exemption from the LTSS may be applied for by employees who hold qualifying, private LTC insurance purchased before November 1, 2021. This exemption is a permanent exemption and is only being offered this one time.

The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) determines the rates, definitions, and benefits for the LTC plan design going forward. So it is the ESD that will decide whether a policy will qualify or not for the payroll tax exemption. Because application for a LTC policy can take weeks or months, anyone looking to enact a private LTC plan should begin the application process immediately.

Here is the timeline of the implementation of the LTSS plan for SPU employees:

  • June 10, 2021: LTC/LTSS Introduction Webinar (CLICK HERE to view)

  • Summer 2021: SPU LTC education campaign (webinar, emails, resources, links, etc.)

  • October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022: employees can apply for a permanent exemption to the LTSS, but only if they have private LTC insurance plan that has been purchased sometime before November 1, 2021

  • January 1, 2022 all Washington State W-2 employees age 18+ will have a payroll tax deduction of 0.58%

  • October 1, 2021 – December 31, 2022 apply for a permanent exemption of the payroll tax and eligibility for future benefits if you have purchased LTC Insurance before November 1, 2021

The University has worked with LTC Solutions, Inc. for many years to provide a private LTC plan insured by Unum. This plan is available to all University benefit-eligible employees and their family members. For more information, please see the links provided below. Health underwriting is required for all applicants other than new hires in their first 30 days of employment.


Looking into a Private LTC Plan or Have Questions?

If you would like to review the details of the private LTC plan offering sponsored by the University or have questions that are not addressed above, please reach out to LTC Solutions directly or SPU Human Resources for help. Human Resources is generally available from 8am to 5pm M-F at (206) 281-2908 or by email at hr@spu.edu.