Active and Non-Medicare Retirees Open Enrollment 5/1/26-5/20/26

OPEN ENROLLMENT – MAY 1 THROUGH MAY 20, 2026

After much negotiation, the MIIA/BCBSMA Medical rate increase

– originally set at 13.45% – was reduced to 10.13%. 

This was accomplished by increasing the BCBSMA ER copay to $250 from $150

(waived if admitted)and adding $150 copay outpatient surgical

and $250 inpatient copay. Also added was a $100/$200 RX deductible,

which does not apply if using mail order prescriptions.

OPEN ENROLLMENT IMPORTANT FACTS!!

If you want to change plans, this is the only time you can do so,

outside of a “Qualifying Event”. An enrollment form is required.

If you want to change to the HMO Blue Select plan,

please remember that this is a Limited Network

and all PCPs for you and all of your dependents MUST participate in the Select Plan. 

To ensure your provider accepts the Select Plan, go to https://www.bluecrossma.org 

Find Care, and when asked for a Network, make sure you look at HMO Blue Select.

TASC will continue to manage the HRA (Health Reimbursement Account),

for BCBSMA deductible payments exceeding the employee share.

Altus Dental and Altus Vision Rates are NOT CHANGING.

If you currently have two-person Dental but have young children approaching age 2 or 3,

NOW is the time to add them to your plan by completing a new Altus enrollment form.

If you are currently enrolled in any of our benefit plans and do not wish to make any changes,

you do not have to take ANY action at this time.

QUESTIONS – See instructions at the end of this memo!

Medical, Dental & Vision Health Plans

If you are joining a plan, adding or deleting a dependent or changing plans,

you will need to complete a new BCBSMA enrollment form (or Altus Dental/Vision form)

and return it to the Town Accountant’s Office by 5/20/2026. 

Remember – this is the time to add a child to the Dental or Vision plan,

who may only be age 2 or 3 and who was not previously enrolled.

You may also visit the following website for extensive information,

on the BCBSMA health insurance plans:  

 https://planinfo.bluecrossma.com/customblue/2026/miiatownofwestboylston

(This website will be updated by MIIA and Blue Cross by mid-May).

The Medical Plans have a Deductible – $2000 Individual / $4000 Family.  

The Town subsidizes a portion of the deductible,

with a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA),

through TASC who reimburses you for claims,

 AFTER you have met the employee portion of the deductible as follows:

HMO Blue New England Plan – Individual $625/Family $1250

HMO Blue Select Plan – Individual $375/Family $750

PPO Blue Care Elect Plan–Individual $625/Family $1250

(double for out-of-network services)

BCBSMA processes the claim first, applies the deductible and then sends it on to TASC,

who will either “apply” it to your portion of the Deductible or reimburse you. 

In order to track your claims, PLEASE create accounts with both BCBSMA and TASC

– https://www.bluecrossma.org  and https://uba.tasconline.com/login. 

Once logged into TASC you may see that money has been placed in your MyCASH Account. 

You can leave this money on the card and use it to pay normal expenses,

move the money to your bank account or request a check. 

You can also set a default for future payments.

A step-by-step instruction sheet on how to set up these two accounts can be found here,

on the Town Employee Benefits website

  https://www.westboylston-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif1421/f/uploads/bcbsma_and_tasc_how_to.pdf

Out-of-State Dependent Child Rider

If you have BCBSMA Blue New England coverage,

and  you have children under the age of 26 who reside outside of New England,

they can use “in-network” National Blue Cross Blue Shield providers,

for both emergency and routine treatment. 

You do not need to join the PPO plan to provide this coverage to them. 

This rider is not available with the BCBSMA Select plan.

To be part of this program you must enroll by calling 1-800-782-3675.  

There is no enrollment form, so you need to call to get your children this coverage.

* * * *

REMINDER:  If you have either the Basic and/or the Voluntary Life Plan

with Boston Mutual through the Town,

this is a good time to confirm your beneficiary designation. 

If you do not know who you named as your beneficiary,

please call us at 774-261-4060 and speak to Michelle Noberini-White. 

It is very easy to complete a “Change of Beneficiary” form. 

This is also a good time to confirm your beneficiaries for your retirement plan,

by contacting your respective Retirement system.

* * * *

The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Open Enrollment,

will take place in August and September for an October 1, 2026 Effective Date.

* * * *

If  you need to make ANY changes to your current benefits NOW,

(Open Enrollment) is the time to do it– no later than 5/20/2026. 

Otherwise, you may only make changes for Qualifying Events during the year. 

Questions?:   (774) 261-4060 or benefits@westboylston-ma.gov