It’s that time of year when we are required to review and renew our benefits offered by the company, making the changes that will carry us into 2023. From medical, dental and eyecare benefits to legal to life insurance to disability insurance, you will find enrollment information and be able to decide your very best set of Benes at lifeisbetterinblue.com.
Our goal at TWU Local 579 and with the Health, Safety & Security Committee is to make sure “life is better for YOU” and offer any assistance you may need outside the explanations given by JetBlue in your US mail pamphlet, your emails, the website and their offered Benefits Enrollment online seminars as you pick through the puzzle of the 2023 enrollment.
I recently attended a briefing with the company’s top benefits executives along with the Director of Labor Relations Ellen Ham and TWU International’s Thom McDaniel to see a presentation of our benefits and to discuss the changes. It’s clear the company is looking to cut costs and are forcing everyone into the Anthem BCBS program, and leaving United Healthcare, on January 1. Money is being offered to entice our members currently in the “Green” plan to move to the Blue or Core plans earlier than the mandatory move in 2024 and to elect those plans earlier in 2023.
Remember to look closely at the per-check price increases, the higher (or lower) deductibles, the amount paid for medication and the out-of-pocket max changes to each plan. You will need to choose a plan that best fits both your pocketbook and your anticipated usage of these benefits. Tailor it to your personal needs! For example, the “Green” plan would be perfect for those who use their medical benefits a lot (like me!) The “Blue” or “Core” plans benefit those who may not use a lot of medical benefits. There is even a special “Partnership Option powered by Centivo” plan for certain areas, that is said to be expanded into South Florida and other regions in 2024. Healthcare is expensive for everyone. Make it work for YOU.
One thing is for certain: we highly recommend the election of the “voluntary short-term disability” option (VSTD) as you just never know when this benefit will help you avoid dependability points, and allow you even some pay, when approved for a health issue lasting longer than seven days. Don’t get caught without short term disability!
Remember to make your benefit elections by the November 10 deadline. If you make NO changes, your current benefit elections will roll over to the next year. If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) you must renew that election every single year and if you do not manually elect to renew it in 2023, you will not enjoy that tax-free benefit for 2023. Questions? It can certainly be confusing. The Health, Safety & Security Committee is here for you! The clock is ticking to the November 10 deadline for making these elections to your benefits. Call us if we can be of assistance using our Health, Safety & Security Hotline: 954.900.7725. Also find information at lifeisbetterinblue.com or in any upcoming company webinars.