Your plans Started… so now what?
With most plans starting on January 1st, you might be wondering what you need to do to start using them. Below is a collected list of everything you need to do to get started as well as some recommendations for how to make the most out of your plans. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Aflac
The only important thing to do for Aflac is to set up your MyAflac account. To do so head to https://MyAflac.Aflac.com and click register. Select “Certificate Number” and use the number that came on your Aflac packet that was mailed to you. If you don’t have that, no sweat, email [email protected] or call 888-315-8027 during business hours, and we’ll help you out!
Special note on Certificate Numbers: You need to make sure your Certificate Number is ten digits. In order to do so you might need to add leading zeroes to the front of your number. You also remove the 5-digit code before the hyphen. For example, if your code is: 25400-1234, your certificate number is 0000001234. We understand that this is confusing, so if you need additional support email or call us and we can walk you through it.
Once you’re signed up for MyAflac, you can file a claim whenever you want! We put together a pretty handy guide earlier this year and we recommend you follow it: https://www.sdpeba.org/news/how-to-file-an-aflac-claim-online
As a reminder, with the Accident and Critical Illness plans, you get access to “Wellness Claims.” These once-a-year claims pay you $50 for getting routine medical tests. Learn more about them here: https://www.sdpeba.org/news/all-about-aflac-wellness-claims
Aura
Once you’re enrolled with Aura, you’ll receive an email from Aura asking you to set up your account. You’ll need to go in, make an account, and start filling in your information. The more information you give it, the more coverage you’ll have!
Best Health
Once you’re signed up for Best Health, you’re in! There’s nothing else to do. You can access the site by heading to https://sdpeba.sharp.wellness.us-1.healtheintent.com/onboarding and logging in.
If you’re having trouble, you can contact us by emailing [email protected] or by calling 888-315-8027 and we’ll help get you set up!
MetLife Dental
There are two dental plans: HMO and PPO. Depending on which plan you’re enrolled in there are some differences in how to get started.
If you have the HMO plan, you’ll need to select a dentist ahead of time. If you need to make a change or didn’t select a dentist during Open Enrollment, you can change your dentist on MetLife’s website or by calling us at 888-315-8027 (you can also email [email protected]). We recommend you contact us because our wait times are a lot lower than MetLife’s, and also because we can make the change to your account immediately, whereas MetLife’s changes might take up to a month. If you choose to use their website to find a provider, SDPEBA’s HMO plan is under the “MET100” network.
If you’re new to the plan, you’ll also receive an ID card with the HMO plan. This card should be sent out within 10 days of your enrollment, if you didn’t receive one within 14 days, call us! We’ll get that squared away.
With the PPO plan you don’t get an ID card. You can grab one from MetLife’s website, but it’s not necessary. We recommend you head to MetLife’s website and find a dentist through their service to make sure you’re in-network. SDPEBA’s PPO plan is in the PDP Plus network.
Note: If you are a member of Local 127 and have their version of MetLife Dental the information provided above might differ and we suggest you go through your organization’s channels.
MetLife Legal
Once you signed up for MetLife Legal you can start receiving covered legal services through MetLife’s site. You don’t need an ID card; you just need to call 800-821-6400 or go to https://legalplans.com and you’ll be able to get set up with a referral number.
If you signed up for the MetLife Legal + Parents plan, you’ll need to get them added as well. This will happen when you enroll with us.
We highly recommend you call the MetLife service team for advisement on what’s covered and do your research when choosing your lawyer!
Nationwide Pet Insurance
There isn’t much extra you need to do for pet insurance. Since you can technically enroll in the plan year-round, your start date might not be January 1st. Much like Aflac, this is a claims-based service, so you just need to contact Nationwide after you go to the vet. There are a couple of ways to submit a claim, check out their site here: https://www.petinsurance.com/submit-claim/.
Purchasing Power
Once you’re signed up for Purchasing Power, you’re in! There’s nothing else to do. You can access the site by heading to https://www.purchasingpower.com/?domain=sdpeba and logging in.
If you’re having trouble, you can contact us by emailing [email protected] or by calling 888-315-8027 and we’ll help get you set up!
Sharp Healthcare
When it comes to Sharp Health insurance you could have 1 of 4 plans. There’s the Classic, Saver, Select, and our retiree plans. If you’re new to the plan, you’ll get an ID card in the mail within 10 days of your plan being entered into the system. If you don’t receive your ID card within 2 weeks of your plan starting, contact Sharp’s dedicated SDPEBA team by calling 888-840-4747 (for active employees) or 888-562-8853 (for Sharp Medicare).
Once you have your ID card, you’re basically good to go! But we do recommend you make an account online. https://account.sharp.com/.
Once you make an account, you’ll be able to see where your doctor, urgent care, and emergency care center are, and you can read more about your benefits. If you’d like to make any changes to your doctor, you can do so online or by calling the SDPEBA Sharp Team which again is 888-840-4747 (for active employees) or 888-562-8853 (for Sharp Medicare). We can help you out as well of course! But these hotlines are actual Sharp employees who know your benefits in and out, so we recommend you start by reaching out to them. If you have any billing or cost questions though, then you should call us first! 888-315-8027.
If you need help finding a provider, we have an article to help with that! Click here.
Unum
There isn’t much to do for Unum until you come to actually need long term care. If you are qualified to receive long-term care (you’ll need a doctor to sign off on this), you’ll have a 90-day elimination period. Once that period is over you can call 800-227-4165 to start receiving payouts.
If you have questions or are having trouble, contact us and we’ll help you: [email protected] or call 888-315-8027.
We put together an article on Unum that has a lot of useful information, check it out by clicking here.
VSP
Whether you just got VSP through SDPEBA or you’ve had it for a while, the most important thing is to use your plan!
You can get an eye exam and two pairs of glasses every year. So be sure to book that optometrist appointment early so that way you’re not leaving any money on the table (reminder, with SDPEBA’s VSP plan you can get 2 pairs of glasses, if you have your plan through the city/county, you can only get one pair every 2 years).
Important Note about Medical Providers and VSP: Some medical insurance providers (e.g., Sharp) have a partnership with VSP allowing you to use their network for an annual eye exam. If you don’t have VSP, but have Sharp, you can still get an eye exam. Your lenses, however, might not be covered. Please keep that in mind so that you’re not blindsided by any bills!