The No Surprises Act was enacted to protect health plan members from surprise billing after receiving certain services from out-of-network providers.
The WELS VEBA Group Health Care Plan (the “Plan”) provides health benefits to eligible WELS/ELS workers and their eligible dependents. The Plan is required by law to notify members of their protections against surprise billing under federal law.
You may view the WELS VEBA No Surprises Act notice by clicking this link.
Following the 2021 synod convention’s endorsement of the WELS Pension Plan freeze and transition to a defined contribution plan in 2022, WELS has produced the following three videos to help called workers and sponsoring organizations prepare for the upcoming changes.
The first video summarizes the upcoming WELS Retirement Program changes.
The following is a summary of the main actions for organizations and workers to take to prepare for the new defined contribution plan:
The WELS Benefit Plans Office and the Hahn Financial Group are happy to help with questions that you may have regarding the upcoming changes. For questions regarding the new defined contribution plan and the WELS Pension Plan, including contributions and billing, please contact the Benefit Plans Office by calling 414-256-3299 or emailing [email protected]. For questions regarding the WELS Shepherd Plan and how sponsoring organizations can enroll and create participant accounts, please contact the Hahn Financial Group by calling 1-800-516-4246 or emailing [email protected].
In addition, a comprehensive “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) page, as well as a benefit comparison tool to help workers to compare their potential benefits at retirement under the current and new programs, are available at the links below.
The WELS Benefit Plans Office understands that some WELS VEBA plan members have received a notification regarding the settlement of a lawsuit in which Blue Cross Blue Shield was a party. The notification provides that individual plan members may have the opportunity to participate in the settlement and file a claim.
Resources are available from the settlement administrator, JND Legal Administration, to address questions about the settlement including the claim submission process and the amount of relief that certain class members may receive. JND Legal Administration is the best resource for WELS VEBA plan members to contact for any questions related to the settlement, as the Benefit Plans Office cannot provide members with legal and/or tax advice or recommend any particular course of action in this matter. Contact information for JND Legal Administration was included in the official notifications and is provided below:
Please feel free to contact the WELS Benefit Plans Office by email to [email protected] or by calling 414-256-3299 if you have any questions.
June 2021 Update: WELS held two webinars, one on June 3 and another on June 8, to inform 2021 synod convention delegates regarding the proposed changes and allow delegates to ask questions. A replay of the June 8 webinar is available at this link.
A retirement strategy committee was appointed in 2017 and has done extensive research on the best options for providing future retirement benefits to workers. The committee has completed its work and recommends that some changes be made to the WELS retirement program.
In summary, it is proposed that the WELS Pension Plan be frozen and replaced with a defined contribution plan, wherein all eligible workers would receive contributions to individual accounts in the WELS Shepherd Plan to be used for retirement benefits. The proposed changes have been reviewed and endorsed by both the Conference of Presidents and Synodical Council.
The WELS Retirement Strategy Committee invites you to learn more about these proposed changes by viewing the presentation included above.
In addition to the presentation, a comprehensive “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ) page is available here: FAQ page.
WELS has also developed a benefit comparison tool, which will help workers to compare their potential benefits at retirement under the current and proposed programs, and is available here: comparison tool.
The proposed changes will be a significant topic on the 2021 synod convention agenda. A resolution will be provided for the delegates to review, discuss, and vote on during the convention. If the convention approves the resolution, it is anticipated that the proposed changes will be implemented as of January 1, 2022. Information will be included in the Book of Reports and Memorials leading up to the convention.
It is important to note that, if the proposed changes are approved and implemented, all benefits earned under the WELS Pension Plan prior to its freeze date will be honored and paid according to the plan’s terms. Benefits earned under the WELS Pension Plan will not be lost as a result of the proposed changes.
WELS is committed to providing detailed, transparent information during this process. Please refer to the FAQ page which will be updated with additional information. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments regarding the proposed changes, please submit them to WELS using the feedback form here: feedback form.