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 […]
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 […]
Effective July 1, 2020, WELS announced a change in its interpretation of the workers who may be considered “ministers of the gospel” for federal tax purposes, which was based on a thorough investigation and legal opinion from a nationally recognized expert in this area of tax law. Read the WELS announcement here. Distributions from the […]
The WELS VEBA Commission has approved several enhancements to the WELS VEBA health plan benefits in response to COVID-19 and the ongoing public health emergency. A summary of the enhancements is provided below. WELS VEBA will cover, at 100% of the plan’s maximum allowable amount, eligible billed charges for the medically appropriate diagnostic test for […]
WELS VEBA provides health benefits for workers at WELS and ELS calling bodies across the country. The above video provides information on the important advantages of WELS VEBA. A flyer highlighting the main points discussed in the video is available for download here. We encourage you to share this video and flyer with fellow workers and […]
Easy, fast doctor visits. All from the comfort of your own computer or mobile device 365 days a year. LiveHealth Online is a new communications tool provided by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield that allows you to talk to doctors online by two-way video on a computer. Doctors can answer questions, make a diagnosis, […]
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has provided information on how to immediately enroll in credit protection services to all members who are potentially impacted by the recent cyber attack on Anthem’s systems. Starting Friday, February 13, 2015 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, current and former Anthem members can visit www.anthemfacts.com to learn more about credit […]
We are informing all WELS VEBA members and former members that we are aware Anthem, Inc., the claims administrator for WELS VEBA, is the victim of a highly sophisticated cyber attack. Anthem has informed us that its member data was accessed, and could include that of our current and former members. We are working closely […]
Pension Plan Status Like most investments, the Plan trust experienced significant losses during the market downturn of 2008-09. Although trust assets have rebounded they have not kept pace with benefits liability growth. The Plan continues to face two significant ongoing challenges: aging participant demographics and an uncertain global economy with volatile financial markets. One of […]
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) was implemented in order to protect the rights and information of health plan members and improve certain operations in the health care system. The WELS VEBA Group Health Care Plan (the “Plan”) provides health benefits to eligible WELS/ELS workers and their eligible dependents. The Plan creates, […]