It’s the Navitus Mail Order Pharmacy Blues
This is the first in a series of articles discussing the Blue Shield pharmacy program. If you are experiencing any difficulties or your medical information is incorrect, please contact the Human Resources Benefits Office for assistance.
Transitioning from CalPERS to SISC health benefit plan has been challenging, frustrating, at times confusing, but also exciting as we experience sometimes a huge savings by switching to SISC. With CalPERS, about 40 percent of Mt. SAC employees chose the Kaiser plan. Since transitioning to SISC, that number has risen to more then 60 percent. Many saw the benefit of having a one-stop medical plan where doctors and pharmacy are all together at one facility.
A small percentage have continued their opt-out option, and the remainder are part of Blue Shield. However, if you are attempting to obtain medications using the mail-in program and are experiencing difficulties, you are not alone. CSEA 262 has gathered some information about the pharmacy mail-in program that might help you.
The mail-in pharmacy provider is Navitus, which contracts with Costco for the maintenance medication mail-in program. If you have tried to create a user account on the Navitus web site, you might have been frustrated by error messages when you type in your Blue Shield ID. This is because you need to type in the number and add 01 (zero one) at the end (no spaces or dashes, just add the 01). Nowhere on the Navitus web site is this mentioned, and it took several phone calls to Navitus and their web support team to figure this out.
Once you enter the proper ID, you can begin the process for creating the account. The next stumbling block is creating the user ID. You cannot use your name, first OR last name, date of birth, or member ID for the username. You need to use something between 8 and 20 characters with only letters and the numbers 0 through 9. Very limited. Try using your phone number or your middle name with numbers. Data security is a concern, so these User ID restrictions are understandable, but it does make creating an ID for some more difficult.
Next you will need to create a password. As always, passwords should be as difficult to guess or hack as possible, so use upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters like ! @ # $ % ^ & * in random order. Do not use a password you already use elsewhere, including (or especially) your Mt. SAC password. The Navitus site has a password strength indicator that will help you decide on a strong password. After the password, you will need to select and answer three security questions. Try to use questions that are not something you typically discuss with colleagues or others. One question, for example, asks in what city did your parents meet or your grandmother’s maiden name.
When registration is complete, Navitus sends an e-mail to the address you gave for confirmation. Click on the link and log in. Accept the terms and conditions (you really have no choice if you want to create an account) and you are now verified.
Schools and Communities First
Schools & Communities First is supported by CSEA and a broad coalition of leaders and organizations throughout California and the nation. This effort is critical to restore $12 billion to California's schools and communities every year.
Schools & Communities First ensures that our schools and communities come first — with the resources to educate all of our kids and the services to support all of our families. It closes commercial property tax loopholes benefiting a fraction of corporations and wealthy investors, without affecting homeowners or renters, and reclaims $12 billion every year to fund world-class schools and strengthen local economies to lift up all Californians. It’s time to invest in California’s future.
What does Schools and Communities First do?
RECLAIMS over $12 billion per year for K-12 schools, community colleges, and local communities.
CLOSES commercial property tax loopholes and ends shady schemes that big corporations and wealthy investors use to avoid paying their fair share of property taxes.
PROTECTS all homeowners and renters by maintaining tax protections for ALL residential property.
INVESTS in educating all of our kids and in the vital services necessary to support our families and communities.
PROVIDES one of the largest tax incentives in a generation to spur new investment in small businesses.
LEVELS the playing field for all the businesses that already pay their fair share.
ENSURES strict accountability so that money goes directly to our students and communities.
CSEA is organizing members to sign a petition in support of getting the Schools and Communities First initiative for the November 2020 ballot. Site representatives in your areas will soon have a copy of the petition if you would like to sign it. You will receive more information in the CSEA Newsletter or at the CSEA web site. Join a powerful and growing coalition of labor unions, small business owners, elected officials, teachers, students, housing advocates, social justice groups, and faith-based organizations in supporting the first structural and equitable tax reform in four decades. An information flyer is attached here.
New Year, New Laws, New W-4
In October 2019, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revised their Form W-4 “Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate” for the 2020 year. New employees hired after January 1 will be required to fill out the new W–4 form. Current employees are not required unless thay want to make a change. The most important change is that the new W–4 form allows an employee to include pay information from a second job and/or pay information from a spouse. The is supposed to help make the income deductions more accurate for taxes.
It is highly recommended you consult with your tax preparer or other tax professional regarding any tax-related questions or concerns. Mt. SAC Payroll Office and employees are not tax experts and are not qualified to give advice or answer questions other than obtaining and filling out the W–4 form. Given that, remember that you only need to fill out the new W–4 if you plan to change your “allowances” or want to include the multiple jobs or spouse works information.
According to the Employment Development Department (California), since the allowances are no longer included in the revised Form W–4, the Form W–4 cannot be used for California withholdings. For clarification or more information, you should consult your tax professional. Mt. SAC is also not required to ask employees hired before 2020 to complete a new Form W–4 unless an employee wishes to change their withholdings. If an employee hired before 2020 doesn’t complete a new Form W-4, withholdings will continue based on a valid Form W–4 previously furnished and on file with the employer.
The IRS has also launched a new Tax Withholding Estimator, found here, to help employees decide what refund they want. There is also an FAQ for more information here. As stated before, if you have any questions or need more information, speak with your tax professional.
Union Steward Training Level 1
The benefits of being in a union don't stop with job rights and better wages. Unions help their members to excel in their careers and reach the top of their professions. CSEA offers many training opportunities throughout the year designed to help you improve your knowledge on the job and to sharpen your skills as a CSEA volunteer.
Level 1 participants will be able to identify the important roles and contributions of unions to our society; articulate the important role of Union Stewards within their chapters; explain the structure of CSEA to fellow members; summarize the rights of a Union Steward; utilize effective interviewing skills when conducting a grievance investigation; and differentiate between what is a contract violation/grievance and what is not.
Each participant must complete the required skill/knowledge reinforcement activity(ies) in his/her chapter to proceed to Union Steward Training Level 2.
When: Saturday, January 25, 2020
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Registration and Light Breakfast Snack
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Training
Santa Fe Field Office • 4600 Santa Anita Avenue • El Monte CA 91731
Parking and entrance to the RTC located in rear of building
To RSVP for this location, please call (626) 258-3315, sfforsvp@csea.com or Click Here
Enrollment is limited to the first 50 participants on a first-come first serve basis.
CSEA Pre-Retirement Seminars
By Beverley Heasley, CSEA Chapter 262 Pre-Retirement Resource Specialist
Looking for information you need to maximize your pension benefits? CalPERS will be presenting and will provide informational booklets at the upcoming CSEA Pre-Retirement Seminars listed below. Additional information will be provided on Social Security and the CSEA Retiree Unit. All seminars are on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to Noon.
January 25, 2020
California School of the Arts
Performing Arts Center
1401 Highland Avenue
Duarte, CA 91010
Gordon H. Beatty Elementary School Auditorium
8201 Country Club Drive
Buena Park, CA 90621
February 8, 2020
CSEA Regional Training Center
Santa Fe Field Office - 2nd Floor
4600 Sana Anita Avenue
El Monte, CA 91731
March 14, 2020
Upland Jr. High School
Multipurpose Room/Gym
444 E. 11th Street
Upland, CA 91786
“To improve the lives of our members, students, and community.”
CSEA Chapter 262 • 1100 N. Grand Avenue Walnut, California 91789 • 909.274.6262 • www.csea262.org