*IMPORTANT*
New Mexico State University (NMSU) is excited to announce that we will be offering you the opportunity to enroll in a voluntary dental and voluntary vision plan through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) effective January 1, 2021. Please review the below dental and vision plan documents. To enroll submit the Dental/vision enrollment form to NMSU Benefits Office by November 20, 2020.
NMSU Benefit Services
PO Box 30001 MSC 3HRS
Las Cruces, NM 88003
or fax to 575-646-2806
NMSU/BCBS INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION 11.2.2020
NMSU/BCBS INFORMATIONAL PRINTABLE PRESENTATION 11.2.2020
BCBS Dental/Vision Enrollment Application
BCBS Dental Insurance Highlight Sheet
BCBS Vision Insurance Highlight Sheet
2021 BCBS Dental and Vision Rate Sheet
BCBS Dental Provider Directory for Las Cruces
BlueCare Dental Enhanced Benefit Member Flier / BlueCare Dental Enhanced Benefit Member Flier –Spanish
BlueCare Dental PPO Member Flier / BlueCare Dental PPO Member Flier – Spanish
Vision Benefit Information and Resources / Vision Benefit Information and Resources – Spanish
Vision Benefits Made Easy / Vision Benefits Made Easy – Spanish
Vision Frequently Asked Questions / Vision Frequently Asked Questions – Spanish
Vision Insurance Summary of Benefits / Vision Insurance Summary of Benefits – Spanish
Return to Work Options May 20, 2020
NMERB Retiree Return to Work Program: The 12 consecutive month layout period for employees who retired after January 1, 2001, remains unchanged. Application process required; if approved, the retiree will receive a copy of the approved RTW application to provide to the employer. Employee and employer pay nonrefundable contributions.
NMERB Retiree working .25 FTE or less: No waiting period required, application process required; if approved, the retiree will receive a copy of the approved RTW application to provide to the employer. No contributions are required by employee/employer. If the employee is working for other NMERB employers, the FTE will be combined with the FTE of all other employers. The resulting FTE must not exceed .25 FTE for any month of the fiscal year.
NMERB Retiree earning less than $15,000: There is a required 90 consecutive day layout period from the employee’s retirement date, application process required; if approved, the retiree will receive an approved copy of the RTW application to provide to the employer. No contributions are required by employee/employer. If the employee is working for other NMERB employers, the gross earnings will be combined with the gross earnings of all other employers. The resulting gross earnings must be less than $15,000 for the fiscal year.
Below are links to a Return to Work information sheet for NMERB retirees and newly revised Return to Work forms:
Return to Work Information for NMERB Retirees
Return to Work Withdrawal Application
NMSU Quick Guide Hiring Retirees
More info at http://www.nmerb.org/Return_to_workprogram.html
***Prior to returning to work or providing services to an ERB employer, the retired member must file an application and obtain approval from NMERB. Failure to do so will result in suspension of retirement benefits and the retired member will be required to repay benefits paid during the employment
Retirees – please direct your questions to Member.Help@state.nm.us or 1-866-691-2345
NMERB Retirement Seminar Presentation
Note from ERB: Please send any questions this Retirement Seminar Presentation might have prompted to member.services@state.nm.us, and write “Retirement Seminar Question” in the subject line. We plan to answer your questions and post them on our “Frequently Asked Questions” page on a periodic basis.
Retiree Town Hall Meeting
NMSU Benefit Services held a question and answer meeting for all interested parties regarding the retiree medical insurance program on November 2019.
Retirement Forms
- Agreement for Automatic Draft of Insurance Premiums
- Discontinue Medical/Life Insurance Benefit
- Retiree Life- Change Beneficiary Form
- Tuition Reduction- Certificate of Dependency for child
- Tuition Remission- Retiree/Spouse/Partner Form
ERB Resources
Las Cruces Community Health Resources
We are pleased to announce programs that will allow our retirees expedited access to local clinics for health related issues. All services will be billed through your insurance carrier and are subject to your specific plan rules. See the Las Cruces Health Resources page for details.
Return to Work Retiree (RTW)
If you are a NMERB RTW or a retiree being re-hired with the RTW exception, see ARP 6.15 – Re-Employment of Retirees.
Retiree Medical Insurance
Provider: BlueCross BlueShield of NM
Phone for PPO & Medigap Plan G: 1-866-369-6678
Phone for Medigap Plan G Part D: 1-877-838-3833
http://www.bcbsnm.com/
BCBS Resources:
2020 & 2021 Plan Information
NM COVID-19 flier
Preferred Provider Plan (PPO)
Creditable Coverage Disclosure Notice
Medigap Plan G
2020 Blue Medicare Rx Formulary – subject to change
NOTE: The Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services allows enrollment in only one Medicare Part D plan at a time. If at any time you enroll in another Part D product, CMS will notify NMSU. NMSU will cancel you from both the medical and prescription program provided through NMSU. Once cancelled you cannot re-enroll at a later date.
| RESOURCE | PPO | Medigap Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| The BlueCard Program Overview | √ | |
| Blue Access for Members (BAM) | √ | √ |
| Blue 365 – A discount program for members | √ | √ |
| Well On Target – A personalized way to experience wellness | √ | √ |
| Provider Finder/Cost Estimator | √ | |
| Quick and easy way to find doctors | √ | |
| 24/7 Nurseline | √ | √ |
Retiree Life Insurance
Provider: Dearborn National
For questions or to file a claim contact Benefit Services at 575-646-8000 or benefits@nmsu.edu.
To change your beneficiary, complete the Beneficiary Change Form and submit it to Benefit Services via fax at 575-646-2806 or mail to P.O. Box 30001, MSC 3HRS, Las Cruces, NM 88003.
More Resources: Retiree Term Life Insurance Booklet & Certificate | Online Will Preparation | Travel Resource Services | Beneficiary Resource Services
Insurance Committee
The Insurance Committee is a sub-committee of NMSU Employee Council charged with investigating, evaluating, and making recommendations to Employee Council involving matters and policies affecting employee and retiree insurance. Inquiries for the Insurance Committee may be emailed to empcouncil@nmsu.edu.
Educational Assistance
Retiree and Spouse/Domestic Partner
Retirees of NMSU are eligible for tuition remission benefits for themselves and their spouse/domestic partner. Retirees may take up to a full load of classes (18 credit hours) per session for free. Retiree spouses/qualified domestic partners are eligible to take one class if the retiree does not take any classes during the same session.
The benefit does not cover additional fees such as ASNMSU fees or the purchase of course required textbooks or software. Retirees are responsible for payment of any general or additional fees incurred as part of the registration in the class(es). To see a list of the scheduled fees, please visit the University Accounts Receivable website at http://uar.nmsu.edu/tuition-fees/.
To utilize this benefit retirees must complete and submit a Retiree Tuition Remission Form every session before the deadlines below. Failure to timely submit a waiver will result in full tuition billed to the student account.
- FALL session – November 1st
- SPRING session – April 1st
- SUMMER session – August 1st
Dependent Children of Retiree
Dependent children of a retiree may receive a 50% reduction in tuition for NMSU courses up to 18 credit hours per semester. Please see the Child Tuition page for full details.
Discounts & Memberships
Retirees have access to the following discounts and memberships. The items ending in an asterisk (*) indicate benefits that are available to spouses and surviving spouses of retirees.
- Aggie Athletics Season Tickets Discount*
- Aggie Fit Membership*
- NMSU Bookstore– 10% discount* (Some exclusions apply)
- Email Address – Keep your NMSU email address
- Golf Course Rates for Retirees*
- Library privileges* – Guests borrowing privileges
- Meal Plan discounts
- NMSU Pioneers Membership
- Parking permit for NMSU Campus (fees may apply)
- Tennis Membership
- Theatre Arts Productions– Seasonal complementary ticket
- University Identification Card