What is a DEVA?
A Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit (DEVA) is a process to confirm that only eligible dependents are enrolled in the insurance plan.

Why is the Insurance Fund doing this audit?
As everyone knows, rising healthcare costs are a nationwide problem. By removing any dependents who are not eligible (and therefore should not be enrolled), the Insurance Fund will save money by eliminating their claims.

What will I have to do?
If you are eligible for insurance benefits and have enrolled dependents (spouse, children, etc.), you will be required to provide documentation to Secova (not the OLFBP Fund Office) to prove the eligibility of your dependents.

Even if you have previously submitted the same documentation to the OLFBP Fund Office to enroll your dependents, you will still be required to submit all requested documents to Secova. If you do not submit the requested material, your dependents will lose their insurance.

It is understood that many members will view this as an unnecessary aggravation; however, OLFBP and the Board of Trustees feel that it is a necessary step to be taken to help ensure the future of the Insurance Fund.

If you do not have any enrolled dependents (spouse, children, etc.), you will not be required to do anything. The DEVA will not affect the insurance eligibility for members.

Who is Secova and can they be trusted with my personal information?
Secova is an independent firm who specializes in dependent validation. Please be advised that confidentiality is extremely important to Secova and the Insurance Fund. All documents that are submitted to Secova will be shredded after the DEVA is complete.

Additionally, Secova will have a dedicated call center staff, phone and fax numbers, and secure confidential website for OLFBP members.

Timeline for DEVA:
First Week in September: Introductory letter from Secova will be mailed to members. The letter will include the definitions for all eligible dependents. The receipt of this letter will also start the voluntary drop phase of the audit. At this time, if you know one of your dependents should not be eligible for insurance benefits, you will be able to contact Secova and remove the dependent. For example, if a member has an ex-wife listed as a dependent, the member will be able to call Secova to remove her.

Late September: Verification Packet will be mailed; members will need to complete forms and submit the requested documentation to Secova. This can be done by mail, fax, or internet.

Mid October - Mid November: Secova will contact members who have not responded.

November 22, 2010: Document Submission Deadline.

Late November - Late December: Members will have the opportunity to appeal the removal of dependents

Members will be contacted by the OLFBP Fund Office in November 2010 to start the potential enrollment of “older” children. At that time, OLFBP will provide all of the eligibility requirements for this provision, which have not yet been finalized.

If you believe you have a dependent that should be enrolled and eligible under this provision and you are not contacted by the OLFBP Fund Office by December 10, 2010, please contact the Fund Office for enrollment instructions.

OLFBP will continue to notify you of any other potential healthcare changes.

Medical Mutual of Ohio also offers eligible members and dependents coaching and supplies through its SuperWell Disease Management program. Program highlights include:
• direct telephonic interaction with a health coach
• printed member education on such topics as monitoring blood sugar, how to ‘count carbohydrates’, foot care, etc.
• blood and urine tests that the member can complete at home and mail to the
program
• program communication with the member’s doctor to report testing results
• 24/7 telephone access to a nurse for health-related questions
• diabetes testing supplies (glucometer, test strips, lancets) delivered directly
to the member’s home
• handy ‘Test Log’ booklet to track blood sugar trends and targets
• periodic reminders about preventive health screenings important to diabetics
• Call 1-800-861-4826 to enroll or ask questions.

If your hours are not reported correctly, it may affect your insurance eligibility and the amount you receive from the Pension Fund when you retire. Therefore, it is extremely important to make sure your hours are correct.

I have lived most of my life in Richmond (Laborers’ Local 789 jurisdiction); the capital of Virginia. My hometown is within a 2-hour radius of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Chesapeake Bay, and VA beaches. I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond (Go Spiders!).

On a personal level, I like going to the theater, trying out new restaurants, participating in philosophical discussion groups, exercising, and hanging out with friends. I find Ohio to be an interesting state, and I enjoy learning about its history and culture.

Speaking of Ohio culture…when I first moved to Ohio, I was given an honorary necklace as a welcome to the Buckeye state. I had never seen such a necklace before and wasn’t sure what it was…the necklace had some kind of nuts strung up on a string with red ribbon. I could not make the association, so I thanked everyone for my necklace of HAZELNUTS! I had never seen a buckeye, so you can image everyone’s dismay as I desecrated the holy symbol of the Buckeyes. So Buckeye fans everywhere, I get it! And I am now a huge Buckeye fan!