GIC News & Updates, GIC, Administration and Finance, Commonwealth of Massachusetts GIC News & Updates,Administration and Finance,Commonwealth of Massachusetts http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/news-and-updates.xml http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/news-and-updates.html © 2011 Commonwealth of Massachusetts 2011-10-05T00:00:00Z Health Leaders Caution Against Unnecessary Early Deliveries and Hospitals are Listening Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/health-leaders-caution-against-unnecessary-early-deliv.html 2013-03-15T00:00:00Z 2013-03-15T00:00:00Z

Health Leaders Caution Against Unnecessary Early Deliveries and Hospitals are Listening

 Check out Public Hearing Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.govhttp://youtu.be/6y810LCgTZ8 2013-02-11T00:00:00Z 2013-02-11T00:00:00Z Retiree Dental Plan Benefits Enhanced for July 1 Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.govhttp://www.mass.gov/anf/press-releases/fy2013/gic-to-offer-enhanced-retiree-dental-plan-benefits.html 2012-11-20T00:00:00Z 2012-11-20T00:00:00Z Four New Commissioners Appointed Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.govhttp://www.mass.gov/anf/press-releases/fy2013/4-commissioners-appointed-to-the-group-ins-commission.html 2012-11-15T00:00:00Z 2012-11-15T00:00:00Z The GIC Health Plan Procurement Was Released – What Does it Mean to You? Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/the-gic-health-plan-procurement-was-released.html 2012-10-09T00:00:00Z 2012-10-09T00:00:00Z Group insurance commission re-enrollment team awarded the manuel carballo governor’s award for excellence in public service Administration and Finance anf http://www.mass.gov/anf/press-releases/2012/gic-team-wins-carballo-governors-award.html 2012-06-27T00:00:00Z 2012-06-27T00:00:00Z Wellness Pilot Program Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/employee-health-and-other-insurance-benefits/wellness-pilot/ 2012-05-16T00:00:00Z 2012-05-16T00:00:00Z

Active state employees working in the Executive Branch, Constitutional Offices, and the Legislature, and early state retirees ages 55 to 64 and their spouses, have an opportunity to improve their health with the GIC’s pilot WellMASS program.  To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a GIC health plan.

 Municipal Group Insurance Reform Questions and Answers Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/municipality-information/municipal-group-insurance-reform/ 2012-05-10T00:00:00Z 2012-05-10T00:00:00Z

State law permits cities, towns, and other c. 32B entities such as regional school districts to transfer their employees, retirees, survivors, and dependents to the GIC for health insurance. Two parts of chapter 32B - Section 19, enacted as Chapter 67 of the Acts of 2007, and Sections 21-23, enacted as Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2011 - have different options for municipalities seeking GIC coverage. The following links answer some frequently asked questions about the two options.

 State Employees Lose Big in the WellMASS Weight Loss Challenge Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/state-employees-lose-big.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z LTD Special Open Enrollment Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/ltd-special-open-enrollment.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About the Transition to Beacon Health Strategies Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/employee-health-and-other-insurance-benefits/health-plans/active-state-employees/transition-to-beacon-health-strategies.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z

Here you will find answers to questions about the transition from United Behavioral Health to Beacon Health Strategies Effective July 1, 2013.

 GIC Selects New Local Mental Health Carrier for State and Municipal Employees and Retirees Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/gic-selects-new-local-mental-health-carrier.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z Group Insurance Commision Announces New Contracts With Six Health Insurance Carriers Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/gic-announces-new-contracts-with-6-health-ins-carriers.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z New Premium Bills Rolled Out Friday, February 1, Improving Efficiency and Enabling Online Bill Payments Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/new-prem-bills-rolled-out-feb-1-efficiency-improves.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z Step it Up! Walking Campaign Success Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/step-it-up-walking-campaign-success.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z Survivor Recertification Deadline was November 9, 2012 Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/survivor-recertification-due-to-the-gic-by-nov-9-2012.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z Going Out-of-Network for Your Care Can Be Very Expensive Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/going-out-of-network-for-your-care-can-be-expensive.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z Study to Improve the Mental Health of American Workers Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/manage-your-health/mental-health-and-substance-abuse-issues/study-to-improve-the-mental-health-of-american-workers-.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z

For All Employees and Their Dependents Through December 31, 2012.

 Skilled Nursing Facility Benefits: Important, but Short-term Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/manage-your-health/health-care-tips/skilled-nursing-facility-benefits-important-but-short.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z

The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) benefit covers an important type of care, often referred to as transitional care. This article by Robert Sorrenti, M.D., of the UniCare State Indemnity Plan, provides an overview of this benefit.

 Medical Homes are Changing Health Care - What You will See Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/manage-your-health/health-care-trends/medical-homes-are-changing-health-care.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z

Editorial by Thomas Ebert, M.D., Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Health New England

 Accolades Pour in for the GIC’s Health Plans Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/accolades-pour-in-for-the-gics-health-plans.html 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z 2011-12-19T00:00:00Z GIC Given the Nod for Best Employee Benefits Practices of 2011 Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/best-employee-benefits-practices-of-2011.html 2011-12-15T00:00:00Z 2011-12-15T00:00:00Z GIC Executive Director Elected as Chairman of the Board of NCQA Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/elected-as-chairman-of-the-board-of-ncqa-.html 2011-12-15T00:00:00Z 2011-12-15T00:00:00Z Facility Charges - How to Avoid These Unexpected Costs Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/facility-charges-how-to-avoid-these.html 2011-08-31T00:00:00Z 2011-08-31T00:00:00Z Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Includes Expedited Entry for Municipalities into the GIC Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/fiscal-year-2012-budget-includes-expedited.html 2011-08-31T00:00:00Z 2011-08-31T00:00:00Z Good News: Copays and Deductibles for Most Preventive Care Services are Eliminated Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/good-news-copays-and-deductibles-for-most.html 2011-08-31T00:00:00Z 2011-08-31T00:00:00Z EPO, PPO, HMO: The Alphabet Soup That Tells You How Your Health Plan Works Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/epo-ppo-hmo-the-alphabet-soup-that-tells.html 2011-08-31T00:00:00Z 2011-08-31T00:00:00Z Payment Reform and What Could Change in Health Care Delivery Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/payment-reform.html 2011-06-17T00:00:00Z 2011-06-17T00:00:00Z State Employee Re-enrollment and Limited Network Plans Success Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/re-enrollment-and-limited-network-success.html 2011-06-17T00:00:00Z 2011-06-17T00:00:00Z State employee health insurance re-enrollment and incentive to join limited network plans an overwhelming success Personalized Benefit Statements Mailing Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/personalized-benefit-statements-mailing.html 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z The GIC’s Annual Enrollment is April 10 – May 8, 2013 Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/the-gics-annual-enrollment-is-april-10-may-8-2013.html 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z The GIC’s Health Plans Rank Top in Nation Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/the-gics-health-plans-rank-top-in-nation.html 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z More of Federal Health Care Reform to be Rolled Out in 2013 Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/more-of-federal-health-care-reform-to-be-rolled-out-in-.html 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z Health Care Reform and Health Plan Procurement Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/health-care-reform-and-health-plan-procurement.html 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z GIC's Rates to Increase 2.40% for FY12 - Lowest Increase in Three Years Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/gics-rates-to-increase-240-for-fy12-.html 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z Public Hearing Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/benefit-enrollment/public-hearing.html 2010-12-21T00:00:00Z 2010-12-21T00:00:00Z GIC eligible employees and retirees are invited to provide feedback at the annual public hearing, which takes place in February. Group Insurance Commission Votes to Fully Implement Affordable Care Act in New Plan Year Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/group-insurance-commission-votes-to-fully.html 2010-09-28T00:00:00Z 2010-09-28T00:00:00Z State Retirees Save Money with Vision Discount Program Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/state-retirees-save-money-with-vision-discount.html 2010-09-10T00:00:00Z 2010-09-10T00:00:00Z It's Back to the Future for HMOs and Limited Network Plans' Popularity - When Enrolling Makes Sense Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/its-back-to-the-future-for-hmos-and-limited.html 2010-09-09T00:00:00Z 2010-09-09T00:00:00Z For Your Benefit Newsletters Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/for-your-benefit-newsletters.html 2009-01-20T00:00:00Z 2009-01-20T00:00:00Z New GIC Commissioners Appointed by Governor Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/oversight-agencies/gic/new-gic-commisioners-appointed-by-governor.html 2009-01-20T00:00:00Z 2009-01-20T00:00:00Z GIC Coordinator Training Video Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/coordinator-information/gic-coordinator-news/gic-coordinator-training-video.html 2009-01-13T00:00:00Z 2009-01-13T00:00:00Z

Over 550 GIC Coordinators attended one of five GIC Coordinator training sessions held at the beginning of April 2013.  GIC Benefit Coordinators - Watch this video to get up-to-date information on GIC benefits and procedures.

 Walk to Wellness Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/manage-your-health/health-conditions-and-concerns/exercise/walk-to-wellness.html 2009-01-06T00:00:00Z 2009-01-06T00:00:00Z

Walking is an easy, low impact way to increase your physical activity and path to wellness.  The benefits of walking are many. This article outlines some great resources for walking opportunities in Boston and across the state.

 “No Thank You Doctor” When Saying No is Good for Your Health Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/manage-your-health/health-care-tips/no-thank-you-doctor-when-saying-no-is-good.html 2009-01-05T00:00:00Z 2009-01-05T00:00:00Z

Saying “no” to your doctor may not be easy.  After all, he or she has a medical degree and you don’t.  However, sometimes it’s important for your own health to question whether certain tests are necessary. 

 Be Safe – Check Your Hospital’s Patient Safety Rating Before an Admission Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/manage-your-health/patient-safety-and-med-mistakes/be-safe-check-your-hospitals-patient-safety-rating.html 2009-01-02T00:00:00Z 2009-01-02T00:00:00Z If you or a loved one is planning a hospital admission, find out the hospital’s patient safety rating. Long Term Disability Mini Fairs Administration and Finance gic http://www.mass.gov/anf/employee-insurance-and-retirement-benefits/employee-health-and-other-insurance-benefits/long-term-disability/long-term-disability-mini-fairs.html 2008-12-31T00:00:00Z 2008-12-31T00:00:00Z During the Special LTD Open Enrollment Period, attend a LTD Mini Fair to find out more about Long Term Disability benefits.