End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on 5/11/2023
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) has been ended by the Biden Administration effective May 11, 2023. As a result, health insurance benefits that were mandated by the government under the PHE with regards to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19 have been terminated.
Please see the document at the link above comparing COVID-19 benefits provided during the PHE and the changes that have taken effect for TAC GHB Plan participants with the ending of the PHE as of May 11, 2023, as well as information regarding additional resources available to you.
Please be aware that while COVID-19 Over the Counter (OTC) test kits are no longer a covered benefit, test kits are still available at no cost while supplies last through the Department of Health and Human Services by completing the online request form at: https://www.covid.gov/tests or by calling 1-800-232-0233.
Please contact Marianela Morales, Group Health Benefits Specialist, at or 713-533-3723 if you have any questions.
Annual Conference 2023 – GHB Vendor Fair on Tuesday, May 30 from 9 am to 4 pm
We will be having our Group Health Benefits Vendor Fair at Annual Conference again this year on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 from 9 am to 4 pm in the registration area on the 4th floor across from the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Americas Hotel where 2023 Annual Conference is being held. Come visit with our Boon-Chapman, Prime Dx, RxBenefits, Humana and our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) representatives for questions or information regarding your Group Health benefits!
The Group Health Benefits Committee and Board of Pensions 2023 Reports to Annual Conference are included in the 2023 Pre-Conference Journal. The GHB Committee has recommended four benefit changes requiring a vote of AC delegates. For a link to the Journal as well as an informative video regarding the GHB recommendations, please visit the 2023 Annual Conference page on the TAC website at: https://www.txcumc.org/tac2023/.
May Mental Health Webinars and Resources
Following are links to webinars in May and other mental health resources from Aetna Resources for Living, the TAC Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider: Monthly member newsletter (spopessentials2.com)
Further assistance can be found at Mental Health - Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Wespath Quarterly Statements Available Online Only
Effective 1/1/2023, Wespath will no longer mail quarterly paper retirement benefits statements to participants. If you are currently receiving mailed paper statements, you should have received a notice from Wespath last fall regarding this change.
Starting with the first quarter 2023 (covering January 1 to March 31, 2023), Wespath retirement benefits statements will only be available electronically through participants’ online Benefits Access account. Participants will receive an email from Wespath four times a year (early January, April, July, and October) telling you that your statement is ready to view.
Wespath will continue to mail paper quarterly statements to participants in U.S. plans who live outside the U.S. There is no change for these participants.
To access your Wespath retirement benefits statements, sign into your Wespath Benefits Access account at benefitsaccess.org. On the summary page, click on "View Statements" in the Retirement section.
Not registered for Benefits Access? Simply go to benefitsaccess.org, click on "New User Registration" and follow the prompts. You can also register by using the QR code at the following link: https://www.wespath.org/assets/1/7/5971A.pdf.