Becoming a Parent

Most people agree that becoming a parent changes a person in profound and far-reaching ways. When it comes to insurance and retirement, many practical details require your attention as well. Following is important information for you to be aware.

Covered Maternity Services:

• All the C&MA Health Plans cover maternity and childbirth
• Pregnancy is not considered a preexisting condition
• Your doctor’s office may call Highmark on your behalf to verify benefits. Please talk to your doctor’s office regarding details of their billing method, then call Highmark for specific benefit quote
• Your Highmark Benefit Booklet has a section on Maternity Services. Log in into www.highmarkbcbs.com
• You will be billed separately by the hospital, doctor, and possibly other providers such as anesthesiologist, laboratory, ultrasound imaging provider, etc. You should know whether each provider is in the PPO network or not
• Understand how your plan’s Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Limit work. To learn more, log in to www.highmarkbcbs.com. See the section on Medical Cost-Sharing Provisions in your Benefit Booklet. Or you may call Highmark at the number on your ID card.

Pre-certify Your Maternity Admission

Your plan requires that you call Highmark prior to a planned inpatient admission, or within 48 hours of an emergency or maternity-related admission. The hospital may do this for you, but it is your responsibility to verify it has been done, or a penalty of up to $500 may apply.

Your Baby's Health Plan

• Enroll Your Baby Within 30 Days!
• You may enroll your child within 30 days of birth or adoption.
• You may enroll your stepchild within 30 days of your marriage.
• To enroll your new child, complete Enrollment and Change Form and fax or mail to Alliance Benefits.
• What does Late Enrollment mean for my child?

Your Family's Life Insurance

A new child may cause you to re-think your life insurance coverage amounts, or your beneficiary designations. If so you can make those changes by filling out sections A, B, C, D, and E of the Enrollment and Change Form. Within 30 days of birth, you are allowed to increase your family’s C&MA life insurance without providing evidence of good health. Please call Alliance Benefits 800-700-2651 for details.

You and Your C&MA 403(b)

You may wish to review your contribution amounts or your beneficiary designation. Are you contributing enough to take full advantage of your employer’s match? Even if this season is financially challenging for your family, this may be a valuable time to review your long-term financial plan. For quality advice at no cost to you, call Strategic Financial Planners at 866-963-1843.