Latest News

Did you know that you can submit a claim to your medical insurance for reimbursement of the purchase cost of an At Home COVID-19 test kit? Your medical insurance plan with Anthem covers for COVID testing, including home or self-administered tests. Reimbursement is limited to eight tests per covered member per month.

In order to receive reimbursement, you need to submit a claim form and a legible store receipt that shows the description of the item purchased.  The Anthem claim form can be found on our website here and it includes the mailing address for claims. You can also submit a claim form through the www.Anthem.com website or the Anthem Sydney app.

Members participating in the Retiree Group Companion Plan may also submit for reimbursement of At Home COVID-19 test kits purchased on or after January 15, 2022.

The U.S. Government is also providing four At Home COVID-19 test kits per household at no charge. You can sign up to receive these at https://www.covidtests.gov/

During the early stages of the pandemic, there was a dramatic shift to utilization of telehealth for services that would traditionally have been office visits.  Use of technology, including by smart phone, tablet, computer or telephone-only, was strongly encouraged to increase health system capacity and to limit office visits which could increase the spread of Covid-19. 

To incentivize use of telehealth, the Trust waived cost shares for these visits.  While visits to primary care physicians have been returning to more normal utilization patterns in the office, utilization of telehealth for mental health and substance abuse services continues to increase. It is well documented that the impacts of the pandemic have created an increased need for mental health care. 

In order to facilitate continued utilization of these services, the Board of Trustees has extended the cost share (copay) waiver through the end of 2022 for members who receive mental health or substance abuse services via telehealth.  The cost share waiver for other telehealth services, including for Primary Care and Specialty Care visits, expired December 31, 2021.

The Health Trust routinely generates the monthly billing statements on the fourth of each month, but this January’s statements will be generated on December 17. This will allow for as much maintenance as possible from Open Enrollment (Nov 15 – Dec 15) to be completed and the January billing statements to be as accurate as possible. To assist our staff, please have applications for any changes submitted as early as possible to the Health Trust by emailing them to HTbilling@memun.org. Salary changes to be effective January 1, 2022 will be accepted up to and including December 14.

You can get instant access to your health plan information at www.anthem.com or with Sydney, Anthem’s new mobile app.

Using the website or the app, you can securely check claims, locate a doctor, refill a prescription, and find many other helpful ways to manage your health care.

Your current medical ID card is also available for quick viewing right on your mobile device using the Sydney app.  This is especially helpful if you are uncertain if you have the newest version.

From your computer: Go to Anthem.com/register and set up a username and password. You will be prompted to set your email preferences and complete your registration.

From your mobile device: Download the free Sydney mobile app and select Register. You will confirm your identity and create a username and password. You will then be prompted to set your email preferences and complete your registration.

If you need help signing up for the website or mobile app, you may call Anthem Website Technical Support at 1-866-755-2680.

Informational flyer about online access

Old ID cards can no longer be used effective January 1, 2021.

Anthem moved to a new system to process claims effective January 1, 2021. As a result, all members who receive health coverage through the Health Trust were mailed new medical identification cards in late December or early January.  The cards look very similar to your old cards, but all members have a new ID number.

To avoid any confusion or delays in processing your claims, please be sure to destroy your old cards and use the new cards.  Also, please make sure your providers and pharmacy have the updated ID number for you and your family members.  If you present an old ID card with your previous ID number, claims may be denied or delayed.

On the new medical identification cards, all active members’ ID numbers start with a “B” on the card.  IDs for retirees who participate in the Group Companion Plan start with an “M”.  Also, an issue date will be printed in the bottom left corner on the back of the card, so you can make sure you have the most recent version.

If you have any questions about your ID cards or your health benefits, please contact the Health Trust at 1-800-852-8300.  Member Service Representatives are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

On January 1, 2021, Anthem will move to a new system to process medical claims. As a result of this change, members who have health insurance with the Health Trust will begin to receive a new Health Care Summary, instead of the current Explanation of Benefits (EOB) forms. These new Summaries will be in color, will include graphics, and will help members to better understand their costs and make future healthcare decisions. They will include claim details with balance/accumulator information, as well as some new enhancements such as information on savings opportunities, preventive care reminders, and health condition messages.

Each Health Care Summary includes information on all claims processed over a 14 day period of time. The subscriber (employee or retiree) will receive a consolidated Summary, showing claims for themselves and any covered dependent children under age 18. Adult dependents (spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child age 18 and over) will each receive their own Summaries.

Since the new Health Care Summaries will include claims processed over a two-week period, you may find that you are receiving fewer Health Care Summaries, compared to the Explanations of Benefits.  This will help to save on paper, and will reduce mailing costs as well.

You will also be able to view your Health Care Summaries online, at www.anthem.com. If you choose, Anthem will send an email notification to the email address noted on your online account when a new Health Care Summary is available. This way, you can log in to view your new Summaries as soon as they are available.

If you have any questions about the new Health Care Summary, please contact the Health Trust at 1-800-852-8300. Member Service Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. You may also reach Member Service Representatives via email, at HTMemberServices@memun.org.

Sample of New Anthem Health Care Summary

Telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to access health care services remotely and manage your health care.  It has been recognized that telehelath can provide an effective option to obtain care initially, while still helping to control the spread of infectious disease.  It also offers convenience!

Anthem’s LiveHealth Online program is available to MMEHT members.  Using LiveHealth Online, you can have a private video visit with a doctor via your smartphone, tablet or computer to get quick care for a common health issue, or access a provider through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).   LiveHealth Online lets you have a video visit with a board certified doctor or licensed therapist from home, work, while travelling – anywhere you have an internet connection.

In most cases, you will pay a specialist co-pay for the LiveHealth Online visit.  If you use your EAP benefit for counseling visits, there’s no charge.

Through December 31, 2021, cost shares for telehealth and telephone-only visits, including visits for mental health, will be waived for providers in the Anthem network, including for LiveHealth Online.

Please see the link below for more information about LiveHealth Online.

LiveHealth Online Information

If you or a family member are ill, it is understandable that you may be anxious and concerned if it could potentially be the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.  In order to control the spread of COVID-19, providers encourage you to first call or use technology when possible, to check your symptoms prior to seeking medical care in person. 

Anthem’s Sydney Care App now includes a Coronavirus Assessment tool.  This will give you a quick and easy way to assess your symptoms and then, if you choose to, the app can connect you with a doctor through a LiveHealth Online video session or a Virtual Care text session right from your phone.

Through June 14, 2020, Anthem will waive member cost shares for telehealth visits, such as through LiveHealth Online.  Members can also utilize one Virtual Care text session at no cost between now and June 14, 2020. Additional Virtual Care text sessions cost $19 each.

Sydney Care App Information

For learn more about COVID-19 and its potential symptoms, please visit the special section of the MMEHT website, which contains links to sources for support and information. 

MMEHT COVID-19 (coronavirus) Webpage

As we all know, the public health situation in Maine and the U.S. regarding the coronavirus outbreak is a major concern, and it is evolving rapidly. Like every organization and business in Maine, MMA is affected and must make prudent decisions about continuing to provide important services, while protecting the health of our members and employees.

In an abundance of caution, we will be cancelling the in-person 2020 Administrative Workshops, which were scheduled for early May in locations around the state.  Staff is currently exploring an on-line option to share this important information with those who administer Maine Municipal Employees Health Trust benefits.

As always, we encourage you to contact Eligibility & Data Services Manager Linda Mack if you have any questions about the workshops, or any Trust administrative processes.  Linda may be reached at 1-800-452-8786, ext. 2223 or at lmack@memun.org.

Thank you for your understanding.

The list of Walk-In Centers has been updated recently, and new facilities are being added around the state.  These facilities can be a good option if you need treatment for an injury or illness and can’t see your primary care doctor, but it’s not an emergency.  Walk-In Centers take patients without an appointment and are usually open longer hours, including evenings and weekends.

The doctors and nurses at these facilities can help you with all kinds of things such as minor sprains and strains, sports injuries, sore throats, earaches and the flu.  Some centers do x-rays or run other tests on-site and can let you know quickly if you need more specialized care.

The co-pay for a Walk-In Center is equal to that of a specialist co-pay, versus the much higher cost of an emergency room.  Effective January 1, 2020 the copay for services received at an urgent care facility was reduced to match the copay for services received at a walk-in center.  Instead of a $150 or $200 Emergency Room copay, members who receive care at an in-network walk-in or urgent care center will pay a specialist copay – between $20 and $40 per visit, depending on your medical plan.

Not sure if it’s an emergency?  Let a Nurse help you decide.  Here’s an emergency rule of thumb: Call 911 or go to the nearest ER if you think delaying care could put your health a serious risk.  If you’re still not sure where to go for care, call the 24/7 Nurseline at 1-800-607-3262.  Registered Nurses are available anytime day or night to help you decide.

List of In-Network Walk-In Clinics and Urgent Care facilities