As a reminder, Virgin Pulse is the new wellness provider. Watch your email for opportunities to earn wellness points. Another way to earn points is to connect a fitness device to count your steps. It takes just a few minutes to sync your device. Here is a link to the CU Well program.
Virgin Pulse's health and wellbeing program works with the best fitness tracking devices and mobile apps in the market. Learn how to connect your favorite devices & apps here.
Get ready for the next team challenge!
Food Around the Globe
February 22–March 22
Registration begins February 12; be on the lookout for an email from Virgin Pulse.
Get your taste buds ready! You’ll channel your inner globetrotter in this challenge.
Try new, international recipes along the way!
Get the Virgin Pulse mobile app or click here to create your account.
Reaching out during these difficult times
As we approach the year milestone of life in a pandemic, it is important that employees continue to focus on their well-being. It is normal to not feel normal right now. Reaching out for help is okay. There are resources available to support your mental health.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
All employees and their immediate family members or dependents living with them have access to the EAP provided through Family Services Associates. The EAP provides short-term, solution-focused counseling (usually four to six sessions) at no cost. Sessions are done online. Contact Family Services Associates at 315-451-2161 or www.fsacounseling.com.
Telemedicine for Behavioral Health Care
Telemedicine is a videoconferencing service with a psychiatrist, or you can choose from a variety of licensed therapists. This can be done from the privacy of your own home. You can even schedule recurring appointments to establish an ongoing relationship with one therapist. If you think behavior health counseling might be right for you, complete a free online assessment at MDLive.com/BH-Assessments.
The behavioral health telemedicine benefit cost has a $0 copay for those covered by Colgate’s health insurance.
Don’t wait until you need it. Create your online account now. Here are some easy ways to activate telemedicine:
● Web: Register/Log in at ExcellusBCBS.com/Member to create your MDLIVE account
● App: Download the MDLIVE app
● Text: Text EXCELLUS to 635483
● Call: 1-866-692-5045
Private Practice Visit
Colgate’s health plan provides coverage for in-network psychiatrists, mental health counselors, and clinical psychologists. The coinsurance varies based on each practice; however, an average visit in our local area ranges from $20–$25 per visit.
To find an in-network provider, click on the Find a Doctor tab at https://www.excellusbcbs.com/.
New York COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline
New Yorkers can visit https://www.headspace.com/ny for free mindfulness resources or call the support hotline at 1-844-863-9314.
W-2 and 1095-C
The 2020 Wage and Tax Statements (IRS form W-2) have been mailed to each employee’s home address on file. An electronic version of the W-2 is also available on the portal, under All Banner Self-Service Links, and then select Employee Services.
In an ongoing effort to protect employee personal identification information, the Social Security number on the paper copy of the W-2 form has been truncated to only show the last four digits, for example XXX-XX-1234. New guidance from the IRS allows this security measure to help protect identifying information of employees.
IRS Form 1095-C, a requirement of the Healthcare Reform Law, will be available after January 31. This form is for employees who were eligible for health insurance coverage through Colgate University in 2020. The form is available whether an employee participated in the coverage or not and can be found in the Colgate portal under the On-line Benefit System. Questions about Form 1095-C can be directed to Relph Benefit Advisors at 800-836-0026 Ext. 7268 or cuservice@relph.net.
Address information can be viewed and updated in the My Contact Information section on the Home tab of the portal. If your address has changed, you will need to request a W-2 reprint. Questions regarding W-2s and requests for reprints of paper copies can be sent to payroll@colgate.edu. Reprints of paper W-2s will begin the first week in February and will be run weekly.