Dear ICES, Inc. (ICES), and Connecticut Transportation Solutions, LLC. (CTS) Benefit Eligible Employees:
Welcome to our Benefits Open Enrollment for 2025, your annual opportunity to review and update your benefit plan choices and coverage levels as needed to meet the needs of you and your family.
Over the past year, like in prior years, health care costs have continued to increase. The ability to offer affordable and quality health insurance options is as challenging as ever. Since benefits are a significant part of your total compensation package, we continually look for ways to ensure our programs are meaningful, affordable, and continue to attract and retain the most qualified and dedicated employees needed to continue our mission. At ICES and CTS, we believe our benefits should make a difference to you, your job, and the life you lead outside of work. Simply put, benefits are more valuable than ever before. But getting the most value from your benefits depends on how well you understand your plans and how you choose to use them.
We are pleased to offer the following benefits to you:
•Medical Insurance (CIGNA)
• Dental Insurance (Supplemental Benefit; Anthem)
• Short Term Disability (Supplemental Benefit; Sun Life)
• Accident Insurance (Supplemental Benefit; Sun Life)
• Life Insurance (Company Paid and Supplemental Benefit; Equitable)
• Critical Illness (Supplemental Benefit; Sun Life)
• Hospitalization (Supplemental Benefit; Sun Life)
• Vision (Supplemental Benefit; United Health Care)
Here are more details about the benefit plans we offer as well as eligibility and enrollment.
What benefits are included in open enrollment?
Benefits included in this open enrollment are medical insurance and supplemental benefits. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the company-paid life insurance plan once they meet the eligibility requirements.
What are Supplemental Benefits?
Supplemental benefits are benefits that an employee (part-time and full-time) can elect to purchase through payroll deduction. Supplemental coverages offered include Dental, Short-Term Disability, Accident Insurance, Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospitalization and Vision.
When am I eligible for benefits?
Depending on the benefit and your employment status, you are eligible for benefits after 60 days of employment. Specifically:
Medical Benefits
• All employees who are classified as full-time are eligible for medical benefits on the first of the month following 60 days of employment
• All employees who are classified as part-time who work an average of 30 hours or more per week during a one-year look-back period (November 2023 – November 2024) are eligible for medical benefits beginning January 1, 2025
Company Paid Life Insurance
• All employees who are classified as full-time are eligible for $10,000 Company Paid Life Insurance on the first of the month following 60 days of employment
Supplemental Benefits
• All full-time and part-time employees scheduled to work more than 30 hours per week are eligible for Supplemental Benefits on the first of the month following 60 days of employment
When is enrollment open for 2025?
Open enrollment is from Sunday, December 8, 2024, – Wednesday, December 18, 2024. To access Open Enrollment please log into the Employee Benefits section in your Paycom Employee Service (ESS).
Can I meet with anyone during Open Enrollment?
HR Team members will be available to answer your questions and help you enroll during the open enrollment period at one of the following Open Enrollment Benefit fairs:
• December 10, 2024, from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm at 440 Chase River Road, Waterbury
• December 16, 2024, from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm at 440 Chase River Road, Waterbury
Feel free to contact the HR Team at any time during open enrollment at:
hr@icesonline.org
MEDICAL BENEFIT PLANS.
What is changing with our Medical Benefit Plan offerings?
The costs and employer contribution associated with our medical plans have changed.
• Payroll Deduction Amounts: The cost for medical coverage in 2025 will be marginally higher (1%-3%), determined by the plan type and number of covered family members. We are very pleased with this increase as it is substantially less than most organizations are facing as healthcare costs continue to skyrocket.
• Employer Contribution: For those enrolling in one of our medical plans, we will continue to provide an employer contribution towards the cost of each employee’s insurance to offset the cost of medical insurance premiums. The amount of the employer contribution will vary based on the plan type and number of family members covered, but to help offset the rising costs of the medical plans, we have maintained our employer contribution to at least 50% of the cost of coverage.
What is not changing with our Medical Benefit Plans?
• Our Carrier: Our medical insurance carrier will remain as the ICES, Inc. HealthCare Plan., using the CIGNA PPO Network.
• Payroll Deduction: We will continue to deduct the remaining required premiums for your medical benefit selection through payroll deduction.
If I am currently enrolled in a medical plan, do I need to re-enroll for 2025?
If you do not want any changes in coverage, no, you do not. The medical plan you are currently enrolled in will rollover and continue in force on January 1, 2025, at the new plan year rate.
If you wish to make any changes to your medical plan, you do need to enroll during Open Enrollment as it is the only time you can without a life status change.
What if I am eligible for Medical Benefits but do not want to elect any coverage? Do I need to do anything?
Yes. If you are eligible to participate in one of our Company offered medical plans and opt not to for whatever reason, you must check decline in Paycom ESS and provide a reason to waive coverage. This is a federal requirement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If you fail to complete this waiver or do not enroll for medical coverage, Paycom will automatically waive medical coverage on your behalf.
SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFIT PLANS
Are there any changes with our Supplemental Benefit Plan offerings?No, we are offering the same supplemental insurance options as last year.
If I am currently enrolled in a supplemental plan, do I need to re-enroll for 2025?
If you do not want any changes in coverage, no, you do not. Any supplemental benefit plan(s) you are currently enrolled in will roll over and continue in force on January 1, 2025 at the new rates if applicable.
If you wish to make any changes, you do need to enroll during Open Enrollment as it is your only opportunity to make changes to your current plan(s) or select a new plan(s).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Where can I find out more information regarding open enrollment?
• Watch for notices posted through Paycom and WeConnect at weconnectsite.com
• Contact our HR Department at hr@icesonline.org or hr@ridewithcts.com
• Check your company email (if applicable)
• Review the 2025 Benefits Guide found in the Benefits Section of your Paycom Employee Self-Service (ESS) account
• Come and meet with the HR Team on December 10 or 16, 2024, from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm at 440 Chase River Road, Waterbury, CT
Whom should I contact with benefits-related questions?
Please contact one of our HR representatives at hr@icesonline.org or hr@ridewithcts.com who will assist you with your questions and concerns