Over the last few months, the Department of Human Resources has worked diligently with several of our vendors to offer additional benefits to our SMU benefits-eligible employees as well as extend several of our programs to allow further coverage. We are excited to highlight several of those benefits below.
Blue Cross Blue Shield and MDLive
We have negotiated with Blue Cross Blue Shield to cover both testing and treatment for COVID-19 for employees enrolled in one of the three BCBSTX plans who receive testing/treatment that fulfills CDC guidelines. MDLive is available to all employees enrolled in the Blue Cross Blue Shield medical plans SMU offers and we have been able to negotiate a temporary waiver of costs to you as the employee through June 30, 2020. MDLive typically cost a $10 copay for employees enrolled in the $2,000 Deductible PPO or $44 for employees who are enrolled in the $2,800 or $5,000 HDHP. Â However, through the month of June you can have peace of mind knowing that those copays are waived.
Health Care Spending Account/Health Savings Account
Over-the-counter drugs and medicines not prescribed by a physician can now be reimbursed pre-tax via the Health Care FSA and the Health Savings Account. Menstrual care products are now considered eligible expenses. Please visit Discovery Benefits for examples of qualified products. SMU’s Health Savings Account vendor BenefitWallet has extended their Service Center hours so that you may reach them Monday through Friday from 10:00 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. EST.
Cariloop and the Magellan Employee Assistance Program
Cariloop, our caregiving support vendor, created two webinars that you may listen to that cover common questions surrounding COVID-19, as well as caregiving questions you may have returning back to work. Cariloop does offer virtual coaching sessions and they are simple to schedule! Magellan is also offering virtual and telephone services for those who may want to seek emotional support related to COVID-19 and returning back to work. Each of these programs are also offering assistance related to finding child care for your children.
LegalEASE
LegalEASE has allowed us to enroll into their LegalEASE Emergency Financial Hardship Package, which is available to all employees whether you are a member of the LegalGuard plan or not. This package includes Legal Corner, which allows you to browse through online content highlighting new laws and court decisions, a 30 minute no cost consultation for any legal problem, and access to their online directory which houses a total of 20,000 network attorneys. You may review the LegalEASE package and all other benefit information here.
