HealthFlex Express Archive || E-Newsletters || Wespath Benefits and Investments Website

October 3, 2024 | Vol. XXI, Issue 11

No-Cost for MDLIVE Ends December 31, 2024

In 2023, a COVID-era law (the CARES Act) allowed Wespath to offer MDLIVE virtual medical and behavioral health services at no cost to HealthFlex participants in all plans through the end of 2024. Unfortunately, the relevant provision of the CARES Act has not been renewed by Congress and as a result, MDLIVE services will have a cost to participants beginning January 1, 2025. Participants can still use MDLIVE at no cost through December 31, 2024.

During Annual Election, this may impact participants' out of pocket costs under various HealthFlex plans in 2025. We are in the process of updating Annual Election documents to reflect this change, and will share them with you as soon as possible. We are also working to educate Care Coordinators on this change so that they can help participants looking for cost guidance on next year's plan options.

We are also planning to communicate to participants who have used MDLIVE in 2024 to make them aware of this change before Annual Election begins, and will share that message when it is finalized.

It is our hope to continue to offer MDLIVE, particularly MDLIVE behavioral health services, at no-cost in the future. Wespath participates in advocacy work with the Church Alliance and we will continue to advocate for this coverage to be reinstated.

Talkspace Retires Texting Feature, Still Offering Virtual Video and Phone Sessions

This month, the Optum Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is retiring its text service through Talkspace, which allowed users to text with a therapist as part of the eight no-cost sessions for mental health. Video sessions with a therapist will still be available for participants who use Talkspace.

Due to the low usage of Talkspace and the availability of other virtual mental health services through HealthFlex, we will be removing Talkspace from the list of services on our website and our mental health resources. Again, participants who currently use Talkspace for texting can continue until the service is retired this month and will still be able to schedule video sessions, but Wespath will not be promoting the service in favor of other resources.

Virgin Pulse Rebrand to Personify Health Timeline

As we announced in September, Virgin Pulse will be rebranding as Personify Health beginning on January 1, 2025. Below is a schedule of communications about this change to plan sponsors and participants for your awareness.

Registration and login links will also be changing on January 1, and we will provide these links in the coming weeks.

Updated 2025 AE Resources

A variety of resources to support 2025 Annual Election are now available, including:

More resources, including sample social media posts, will continue to be added in the coming weeks. Log into the Wespath Portal to access the Extranet and click on "HealthFlex and Virgin Pulse Tools & Resources."

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a general agency of The United Methodist Church


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