BEALERT
BEA Rep Meeting June 24th
the BEA Representative Assembly met for the final time of the 2019-20 school year. We discussed tutoring and PD for this summer, as well as subcommittees for the start of school next fall.
You can find the minutes to the meeting below.
BEA Help to Your Family
If your family or a staff member’s family you know is struggling financially this summer, the BEA wants to help pay for food and living expenses (gas, electricity, rent, etc.) Please fill out the form below with pertinent details. The BEA Representative Assembly set aside over $5,000 for this cause.
Amy Denys Elected New President
At the June 24th BEA Representative Assembly, Amy Denys was elected President of the BEA by acclamation to fill the remainder of the position’s 2020-22 term. Congratulations Amy!
With Amy’s election as president, her vice president seat became open. Using the president’s discretion under the BEA Constitution and Bylaws, Amy appointed, without objection, Dominick Perrone to be the new BEA Vice President, and similarly, Anne Wind to be the new BEA Treasure.
Congratulations to Dominick and Anne!
Message from Our New President
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I am thrilled and honored to represent you as your new BEA president. I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you from my tenure in the district as a parent, teacher, and BEA member. For those of you I have not met, I am a proud mother of two boys who are BPS students, one at Greenfield and one at Berkshire. I started teaching at Greenfield in 1996 and have 24 total years of experience as a classroom teacher in grades K-3.
I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher. I grew up in a household with two parents who were teachers and watching my parents work tirelessly on behalf of their students inspired both me and my brother to follow in their footsteps. I also learned the importance of collective bargaining and solidarity from my family. My grandparents met in the 1930’s at Brookwood Labor College in Katonah, New York where they were both training to take leadership positions with the UAW. After completing their training, my grandfather helped to organize the famous Flint “sit down” strike of 1937. Later, my grandmother worked closely with Walter P. Reuther and other labor organizers of the 1940’s at the UAW.
Many years later, my mother became the President of the Livonia Education Association where she forged positive collaborative relationships with the Administration. It was through her that I learned that persistent, thoughtful, and respectful actions get results. Because of this, I believe in the power of collective bargaining and cooperative problem solving. I know that strong relationships throughout our district are the key to a positive learning and working environment for us all.
I look forward to supporting you in the work that you do for the students and families of Birmingham Public Schools.
Please reach out to me any time, my door will always be open.
Most Sincerely,
Amy Denys
MEA Summer Conference
The MEA Summer Conference 2020 will be virtual. Save the date for Wednesday, July 29, 2020 and Thursday, July 30, 2020. Registration information will be available beginning June 15 and ending July 17. This conference is open to all members in good standing and is FREE!!!
You can attend as many as eight different sessions. There will be 38 different offerings and many SCECH credit eligible courses. If you have any questions please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MESSA and Auto Rates
With the new law, we have a choice in auto insurance. We can keep our current plan or save money by not purchasing personal injury protection. To learn how your MESSA insurance coordinates with the new law, please see this flyer. You can decide how much personal liability coverage you want. As a MESSA member you should be receiving a letter which you can provide to your auto insurance showing you meet the basic requirements of the new law for personal injury protection
MEA Book Study Groups this Summer for SCHECHs
The MEA Book Group will be reading White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo and How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi. The sessions will be SCECH eligible and members in good standing can sign up on the links provided on the flyers. There will be a limit on the session size and follow-up sessions will be held. If you have any questions please email Kia Hagens at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
BEA Student Scholarship Award
The Birmingham Education Association is awarding the BEA Scholarship to Nolan Kamoo, Groves Co-class President. Nolan plans to attend Central Michigan University in the Fall and study secondary education. He also intends to coach. Congratulations to Nolan.
Black in America
Stacey Broomfield, Beverly Elementary Teacher
With all that is going on in America, I was asked to share something from my perspective as an African American female. So, I thought about which story I should tell; I have enough stories of personal injustice to write a book. Should I share how, when younger, I was denied home and car loans while holding a secure steady income and an almost perfect credit score? Or, that even three months ago a medical store refused to service me? Or, maybe I should share all the times I have had the police called on me for doing absolutely nothing?
It’s hard to find the right story to share with my fellow teachers. But the one I find most compelling is one that happened earlier in this school year. One morning, a student came to class upset about what another student, who was not mine, was telling other students about me. The student told others that I was mean because I had black skin and that all people with black skin are mean. I can’t describe how much my heart broke for him. Shortly thereafter, I was able to talk to the student who was saying these things.
With permission, I privately met with this student. I asked him if I had ever done anything mean to him. He said, "No." Then, I asked if he had seen me do anything mean or be mean to anyone else in the school. He said, "No." I asked him how he came to the conclusion that I was mean. He relayed a story that a student with skin like mine had been mean to him, so he believed that all people with black skin are mean. Once again, my heart broke. I asked him if it was possible that what he was thinking and saying about me might not be true since he had never experienced me being mean. And if he recalled that I say hi and smile at him on the playground. He said, "Yes."
I thought about the moment for a long time, I thought that someday that 6-year-old will turn 12, and then 16, and then 21... My kindness as a teacher was not enough to overcome the negative impression he had formed about me and black people in general, based on the actions of one student. But I don’t blame this young boy. It is not his fault, far from it. And, as you might imagine, this was not an isolated incident for me. If it was, then our solution would be easy.
No, it is a ubiquitous example of how overgeneralizations about race become realities of perception of fact. People of color have to deal with implicit and explicit bias every day.
On that morning, one of my students noticed what was being said and knew it was wrong. He stood up for what was right. This young boy had more courage than most of my past adult peers. It is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who reminds us: "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."Right now, in America, my friends and allies are not being silent, and I notice it clearly. I think, "It's about time!" I hope that while we now chant with our mouths and walk with our feet, we will speak with our votes in November?.
BEA-BPS Contract 2018-2021
A final version of our 2018-2021 Master Agreement has been completely updated and reformatted. You can find the link to the document below. Please save for your records.
BEA-BPS Contract 2018-2021 >>>
We hope that you find this easier to read and understand. You can also find any and all BEA documents on our website in the member's section:
BEA Members Important Documents >>>
BPS RETURN TO SCHOOL THIS FALL UPDATE
BEA Teacher Placement Survey for Fall 2020
Given the Governor’s announcement on return to school this fall, we are not surprised to learn that Birmingham is exploring a Virtual Academy for families who prefer an online experience instead of attending school in-person. In order to assist BPS with teacher placement, this voluntary survey is being distributed by the BEA to let us know your preferences for the 2020-21 school year.
Please understand that the district has the absolute right of assignment and may, because of scheduling necessity, not be able to abide by your preference for the BPS Virtual Academy. Nevertheless, the BEA wants to do the best it can to advocate for you.
The survey will be available through Fri. July 10th. You can take the survey below.
Summer Subcommittees
The following subcommittees have been formed or are being formed to prepare for the start of the new school year.
- Instruction Steering Committee
- Academic Committees (ELA, Math, Sci., SS, WL, UA, Music, CTE)
- Technology
- PD Calendar
- SISS
- Virtual Academy
- Health/Safety
- Mental Health and Wellness
Over 80 BPS teachers responded to engage in the tremendous work it will take to address the plethora of issues. BPS seeking additional help for the special education and virtual academy subcommittees. There will be payment of $28 for committee work up to a certain number of hours to contain costs.
While no decisions have been made yet, the Instruction Steering Committees has narrowed down a hybrid model. The district will need to negotiate the final plan with the BEA in order to be sure all contractional requirements have been met.
Summer Tutoring Program
The BPS Jump Start Tutoring, which is being entirely funded by a generous $40,000 grant from the BEF, is seeking 27 BEA teachers (HS-6, MS-6, EL-15) in math and English. Teachers will be required to provide on-line (perhaps in-person) tutoring lessons for two weeks in August (8/10-8/21) for two hours each day, plus a third hour of prep or time to meet with students. We don’t know yet if it will be virtual, in person, or hybrid. Teachers will be paid $1,000. If interested please see the postings attached below.
Whitmer Announces Safe Return to Learning Plan
To safely reopen for in-person learning next fall, schools across the state will be required to enact one of a range of safety plans based on the COVID-19 threat level their particular region is facing at a given time, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced.
See The MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap >>>
The MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap resulted from the work of a 25-person council of education and health experts – including MEA President Paula Herbart and other MEA members – to provide minimum steps for districts to use in developing more detailed local plans. You can find a short MEA FAQ of the plan below.
See The MI Safe Schools Return to School FAQ >>>
“Nothing is more important than keeping our kids and our educators and all of their families safe,” Whitmer said. Under the plan, districts must follow certain required protocols but will be allowed to consider whether "strongly recommended" and "recommended" actions are appropriate to local needs and circumstances.
As has been the case throughout the pandemic’s course in Michigan, Whitmer has placed educators’ expertise and voices at the forefront of the state’s plans and responses.
STATE OF EDUCATION-MEA/NEA
FAQ on Changes to DPPD, Certification and MOESC
As of July 1, a new MDE reporting procedure will begin regarding renewing teacher certification. You can find the specific requirements below.
Q. Will teachers have access to their
MOECS account after July 1, 2020?
A: YES
Q. Will teachers have access to their
MOECS account after July 1, 2020?
A: YES - Teachers will be allowed to continue to submit DPPD that occurs prior to July 1, 2020 into MOECS. Past DPPD entered into the MOECS logs may still be used by educators for recertification. Any DPPD accrued prior to July 1, 2020 that is entered into the DPPD Log in MOECS must be printed out and approved by the district. Click below for directions on “logging your DPPD into MOECS” for the procedure and form.
Q. How will teachers record DPPD earned after July 1 for SCECH credit?
A: After July 1, any DPPD that is SCECH
qualified, or any other SCECH hours
you may have obtained through a non-district PD provider should not be entered by the teacher, rather the sponsor of the PD (district or 3rd party) will upload the SCECH hours to MDE. You will receive an email from MDE to complete an evaluation. You MUST COMPLETE THE EVALUATION to receive their SCECH credit and see it reflected in their MOECS account. It is not the obligation of the sponsor to remind teachers to complete the survey nor to make sure the email provided to MDE is correct.
Budget Deal Closes 2019-20 Shortfall
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders announced a deal on Monday evening to address the current year (Fiscal Year 2020) budget shortfall in part by allocating funds from the federal CARES Act sent to Michigan earlier this year. You can read the agreement here
This deal only addresses the current year budget gap. This does nothing to solve next year’s (FY21) shortfall. The deal gives K-12 schools about $512 million in CARES funds to deal with increased costs from the pandemic.
To address the FY 2020 shortfall of $2.2 billion combined between the General Fund and School Aid Fund, the state will use a combination of money from the budget stabilization (or “rainy day”) fund, cuts to state government, and some cuts to education – $256 million from K-12 and $200 million from higher education. So, in net, K-12 schools will receive an additional $256 million in funding ($512-$256).
While MEA experts continue to analyze the particulars of the deal, at a basic level the pact avoids massive funding cuts for the school year that has already wrapped up and leaves K-12 schools with additional funding to help manage pandemic costs.
Nearly 2 Million Education Jobs at Risk Unless US Senate Acts to Provide Funds for 20-21
If the economic damage wrought by the coronavirus pandemic goes unchecked, the nation stands to lose 1.89 million education jobs over the next three years, according to a new analysis by the National Education Association.
Stated another way, we could lose one-fifth of the workforce that powers public schools and higher education institutions. Those cuts will not only impact the educators who receive those pink slips and their families. It will also profoundly impact the 50 million students who attend public schools and their families.
Read more about the analysis >>>
Here in Michigan, NEA’s data shows more than 56,000 education jobs hang in the balance, waiting on the U.S. Senate to approve the HEROES Act, which would bring nearly $2.7 billion in critical education funding to our state alone. Michigan’s Senators support passing funding to help schools through the pandemic, with U.S. Senator Gary Peters putting it best during our virtual rally last month: “Our public schools cannot be a casualty of COVID.”
Send an email today to urge passage of this critical funding – and be sure to contact your state lawmakers as well to urge them to lobby members of Congress as well.
Contact your state lawmakers >>>
Apply Now to be Appointed to State Boards and Commissions
There are hundreds of state boards, committees, commissions, councils and task forces that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer needs to make appointments to – many of which impact the day-to-day lives of Michigan’s children and educators. If you’re interested in being appointed to one of these state posts, you can apply online.
Some of the positions coming up for appointments later this year include:
- Michigan Civil Rights Commission
- Michigan PreK-12 Literacy Commission
- Library of Michigan Board of Trustees
- Early Childhood Investment Corporation
- Michigan Community Service Commission
- Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council
- Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities
- Public Health Advisory Council
- Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board (Children’s Trust Fund)
- Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice
- Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect
- Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan
- Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
- Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing
- Board of Social Work
- Board of Speech Language Pathology
If you apply, please let MEA know so we can be helpful in the appointments process – just email Doug Pratt at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
MEA Lays of Priorities for a Safe Return to In-Person Learning
Following more than 15,000 survey responses from educators and discussions about the needs of both students and school employees, MEA announced three key priorities the state’s largest education union feels must be fully addressed as we look toward safely returning to school buildings this fall.
“As our mission indicates, we believe strongly the learning environments of students and the working environments of school employees are inextricably linked,” said MEA President Paula Herbart, who is among those serving on Gov. Whitmer’s Return to Learn Advisory Council – recommendations from that council are due out next week.
“We’re committed to ensuring that educators’ voices are heard in this process and their expertise, along with that of public health officials, guides decision-making about how and when to return to in-person learning.”
MEA’s three priorities – which each include specific key topics to address – cover student, family and educator safety for in-person learning; meeting the full and diverse needs of students in a “new normal”; and funding education to avoid pandemic-driven budget cuts while addressing new, higher operating costs.
New Statewide Poll on School Re-Opening
A new EPIC-MRA statewide poll shows less than half of likely Michigan voters say school buildings should reopen before October. Most of those participating in the poll were either unsure, think schools should open later or only after a vaccine or effective treatment is available.
The poll echoes safety concerns expressed in a landmark statewide survey of Michigan’s front-line educators about safely reopening our school buildings.
“EPIC-MEA’s poll shows the general public shares many of the same concerns expressed by our dedicated public-school educators in recent survey responses from over 15,000 teachers, support staff and other public-school employees,” said Paula Herbart, MEA president and member of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Return to School Advisory Council. “The bottom-line is both the general public and Michigan’s public-school educators want assurances our schools will reopen based on the best public health policy and a game plan that protects the safety of students, families and educators.”
The EPIC-MRA poll of 600 likely voters across Michigan was conducted May 30 through June 3. Those participating in the survey were asked, “Based on what you know or have heard or read about the COVID-19 health crisis in Michigan, and the progress made thus far in addressing it, when do you think schools should reopen in Michigan?”:
Of those responding:
- 46% said August or September
- 24% said once there are effective medicines to effectively treat COVID-19 or a vaccine is available
- 18% said either October or November (13%) or next year (5%)
- 12% were undecided
The MEA’s survey, conducted May 14-22, gathered educators’ views on COVID-19’s impact on public education, including the health and safety concerns front of mind for educators as discussions about reopening schools continue.
Key findings of the MEA survey include:
- 91% think smaller class sizes will be necessary to enforce social distancing.
- 89% believe standards need to be set and enforced regarding future outbreaks of illness and required closure of buildings.
- 88% agreed it was important schools were closed to help prevent the spread of the disease.
- 87% are concerned about health risks to students, students’ families and fellow employees in reopening schools.
- 74% believe schools should provide and require usage of masks and other personal protective equipment for employees.
To view the full MEA survey click below.
MEA Supports Bill to Improve Police Training on Race Issues
A bill to require incoming law enforcement officers to receive training on implicit bias, de-escalation techniques, and mental health screening has been introduced in the Michigan Legislature. MEA is supporting this legislation and urges members to contact lawmakers to adopt it.
Senate Bill 945 aims to strengthen community-police relations and reduce excessive use of force by police officers. It was introduced last week by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) in the wake of public outrage over the brutal killing of George Floyd.
“Officers are drilled on tactics, firearms, and forensics; they practice shooting and driving,” Irwin said. “What is missing from our fundamental police training standards are how officers can identify their own implicit biases and use that knowledge to de-escalate a dangerous situation.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for the Legislature to pass the bill and, in the meantime, asked for police departments to begin adopting the elements called for in the bill in advance of any legislative action.
You can TAKE ACTION to demand justice and end police brutality.
Help MEA Members Impacted by Midland Flood
The MEA has launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for our members who have been affected by the floods triggered by breached dams in the Midland area. In just the first few hours, we raised nearly $2,500, and with your help, we can do much more for these members. Some of whom lost everything in the flood. Please consider making a contribution yourself:
Call to Action–School Funding
Tell Lawmakers to Say YES to Federal Assistance for Public Ed.
Last Friday’s virtual rally – viewed by thousands of people – reinforced the need for federal action to help schools prevent pandemic-driven budget cuts. Watch a new video with highlights from the rally, including supportive comments from U.S. Sen. Gary Peters -- and be sure to contact your members of Congress to urge passage of the $175 billion needed nationally to help public education.
Watch Highligh Video of Virtual Rally >>>
Here is a sample letter you can use when writing to your congress person.
Unfortunately, there are those in the State Legislature who don’t want this much needed federal funding. House Resolution 267, sponsored by 10 Republican lawmakers, advocates against Congressional aid for schools.
Take a moment to tell your state representative and state senator to oppose HR 267 and, instead, advocate with Congress for the passage of much needed funding for Michigan students and schools.
Finally, please sign this petition to rally support for federal funding for public education.
Donate to PAC–Support Public Education Candidates
By Kate Alexander, PAC Chair
Elections matter! What we’ve been through the past few months has proven it. Because of all our hard work in 2018, we have a Governor that is on our side and a seat at the table when it comes to making important decisions affecting public education.
But we have another tough election coming, and the stakes are even higher, so the BEA is asking you to consider giving again during our special online PAC drive this month.
During the Stay Home Stay Safe order, the MEA worked with the Governor to get major accomplishments for students and school employees alike:
- Continued pay, health benefits and retirement service credit for all school employees
- Forgiveness of school make-up days due to COVID-19 closure
- Educator voice in continuity of learning plans
- Elimination of spring state assessments
But there’s much more work to be done. Now, more than ever, we need your help raising PAC funds for pro-public education candidates running in the 2020 election.
We are asking you to donate $20 to MEA-PAC for 2020 by the end of May.
Please, donate today at www.meavotes.org.
MEA Supports LGBTQ Rights Please Sign Petition
The MEA Board of Directors has voted to support the “Fair and Equal Michigan” petition drive effort for a citizen’s initiative to include LGBTQ rights in state law. Under current law in Michigan, you can still be fired from your job or kicked out of your house if your boss or landlord discovers you're lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Educators have not been immune from harassment and employment discrimination for simply being who they are.
The Fair and Equal effort has moved to a digital signature collection process due to COVID-19. To sign the petition, click the link below:
It will only take a few minutes to add your name to the growing list who want to ensure our state provides fairness and equality for all our citizens, no matter who they love.
Employee Rights Under COVID State of Emergency
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. To find more about the rights you and your family have, click below:
MEA/NEA MEMBER BENEFITS
Support Local Businesses Through the MEA
During the COVID‑19 pandemic, local small businesses have experienced upheaval. Overnight it seemed like many of our favorite neighborhood restaurants, shops, gyms, and other storefronts turned off the lights and closed their doors for the unforeseeable future.
These local businesses, including many of the merchants on the MEA program, need help from all of us during these challenging times. You can help by taking advantage of the online, delivery, and pickup options available for local products and services.
Please join with us in assisting local businesses everywhere. Here are three ways you can participate:
- Review the local discounts available to you at MEA Access to Savings by logging on to the MEA member benefits page.
- Visit the website of your favorite local retailers, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. and purchase gift cards for yourself and others to use now or later.
- If you’re shopping online for things you need during quarantine, try to buy those items from local stores.
- Click this link and enter your zip code for more:
MESSA HELP During COVID 19
During this uncertain time, MESSA wants to make sure you have the best health care possible. To that end, MESSA has taken the following steps to ensure access to care for all MESSA members and their covered dependents:
- MESSA will fully cover medically necessary testing and treatment for COVID-19 for all MESSA members and their covered dependents. You will not have to pay a deductible or copayment.
- MESSA will fully cover medical and mental health telehealth visits with in-network providers through May 31 at no cost to members and covered dependents. MESSA members have access to Online Visits, where you can visit a doctor or a therapist without leaving your home. To get started with Online Visits, go to messa.org/onlinevisits
- MESSA will provide free access to NurseLine, which is staffed around the clock by registered nurses who are trained to answer medical questions and offer expert guidance. You can call NurseLine anytime at 800.414.2014.
Help for Family and Friends
MEA is working hard to ensure that our members have no income disruption during this outbreak. Our members may have family or friends that they are concerned about who do not have the same protections.
For help with housing, bills, and food, people can contact United Way 1-866-211-9966 or Michigan 211.org.
Click the link below to apply for unemployment benefits:
Claming Michigan UI Benefits >>>
MESSA Provides Credit Monitoring and ID Protection
MESSA is now partnering with Experian to provide members and their dependents free year-round credit monitoring and identity protection. MESSA previously provided identity theft protection through AllClear ID.
Members receive two levels of free protection from Experian:
- Experian Identity Restoration requires no enrollment. If a MESSA member suspects their identity has been compromised, they can contact Experian at 877.736.4495. A dedicated investigator will work to recover financial losses and restore their credit.
- Experian IdentityWorks offers extra protection and requires enrollment. This service includes credit monitoring, up to $1 million in identity theft insurance and child monitoring for children under 18. This extra level of protection is available to MESSA members at no charge.
If you were previously signed up for AllClear Pro, you must enroll in Experian IdentityWorks for the extra level of protection. To sign up, go to messa.org/Experian.
Save Money on Tax Prep
As an NEA member, save money on filing your taxes with HR Block or Turbo Tax. See the link below for specific details.
Retirement Benefits Now Available for Former Community College Workers
Are you eligible for retirement benefits you were not aware of? That is a possibility if you were a student who worked and attended school part-time at a Michigan community college before July 1, 2014.
Unfortunately, the state doesn’t have information to identify and notify those people. Instead, eligible individuals have until Jan. 31, 2020, to step forward and claim their retirement benefits.
Those eligible people who had been incorrectly left out of the Michigan Public Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) now can join the retirement system. Current MPSERS members who are eligible can claim the added service credit—and might even be able to retroactively change their MPSERS plan.
So who’s eligible? Students who worked part-time at a Michigan community college before July 1, 2014:
- If you are not a MPSERS member, you can now join and choose a plan.
- If you are already a MPSERS member, you can add service credit.
- If you are already a MPSERS member and you belong to Pension Plus, Pension Plus 2 or DC plans, you can switch to a plan that is more advantageous to you—maybe even one that includes health insurance in retirement.
To find out if you are eligible, click below and complete the verification form no later than 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2020.
Get Educational Justice Resources from the NEA
More and more we're finding that many of our educators who are entering the profession have a passion for social justice matters. Our Association -- at local, state, and national -- levels know this and continue to evolve into a union that is engaged in this work.
The NEA's Center for Social Justice does much work in this arena to provide resources for teachers.
The NEA CSJ website is found here >>>
Here's a sampling of what was included on the site:
Supporting Students Impacted by Trauma is a Trauma Toolkit with resources for educators.
Acknowledging Native Lands is a website with teaching resources. Also found on this site is a map that allows anyone to pinpoint what land we are currently on based upon our address.
Acknowledging Native Lands >>> View Map >>>
MESSA News: Deductibles Reset Jan 1, 2020
MESSA deductibles reset Jan. 1, 2020 and continue through Dec. 31, 2021.
Health plan deductibles are similar to the deductibles on auto and homeowner’s insurance. A deductible is a fixed amount of money we must pay before MESSA begins to pay our claims.
MESSA Choices members: will need to pay the cost of medical services, except most in-network preventive care, until the deductible is met. Deductible expenses incurred in October, November and December will count toward 2020 deductible.
MESSA ABC members: will need to pay the full cost of most in-network services and prescription drug purchases, except certain preventive care and preventive prescriptions, which are free. If you have two-person or family coverage, you must pay the entire family deductible before claims are paid for any individuals, as required by federal law for an HSA-qualified plan. Unlike MESSA Choices, deductibles from the fourth quarter of the year does not carry over into the new year.
For complete information on how BPS health insurance rates are calculated and how bargaining impacts insurance, please see the link below for our FAQ which addresses these questions and others
Flu Season is Here-Take Precautions to stay Healthy
Flu season is upon us, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months or older gets a flu shot each year.
For MESSA members and their families, flu shots are covered if they are administered and billed by a payable provider. Payable. providers include in-network health care providers, select retail pharmacies and public health departments. If you are a MESSA member and a pharmacy asks you to pay up front for a flu shot, tell them to bill MESSA for reimbursement.
If you have questions about flu shots or need help finding a payable provider in your area, please call our Member Service Center at 800.336.0013.
Many Immunizations Free for MESSA Members
MESSA would like to remind you that preventive immunizations are a covered benefit for MESSA members.
These common immunizations are covered at no cost to you: influenza, pneumococcal (pneumonia), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and, zoster (shingles). Age restrictions apply for pneumonia, MMR, and shingles vaccines.
Immunizations must be administered and billed by a payable provider. The three types of payable providers are:
- In-network health care provider: Your family doctor who’s in our network.
- Select retail pharmacies: Many Michigan pharmacies will give you an immunization for free and bill your MESSA health plan. Don’t pay the pharmacy up front for a vaccination.
- Public health departments: Most public health departments are non-participating with our network and will require you to pay up front at the time of the service. If you paid for your vaccination from a public health department, you can send a copy of the receipt, the name of the MESSA member and your contract number to MESSA for reimbursement.
Call MESSA’s Member Service Center at 800.336.0013 with any questions
How to use MESSA benefits while traveling outside Michigan
Traveling outside Michigan this summer? Your MESSA health care coverage travels with you.
MESSA participates in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Global Core program, which offers medical benefits to members when they receive health care from Global Core PPO providers outside their home state.
Remember to get itemized receipts and statements from all medical providers, as you may need them for reimbursement purposes.
- Domestic travel: If you or a covered dependent receive treatment in an accredited non-Michigan hospital, just show your MESSA/BCBSM card. The hospital billing office will send the bill directly to MESSA or the local Blue Cross plan. If you receive any other type of service performed by an out- of- network physician, the doctor’s office will either bill the local Blue Cross plan directly or provide you with an itemized statement or receipt. Send to MESSA.
- International travel: If you need medical services while traveling outside of the United States, you are responsible for contacting the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core service center at 800.810.BLUE (or call collect at 804.673.1177 from outside the country).
Free Diabetes Prevention Program for MESSA Members
Qualifying MESSA members and their adult dependents now have access to a free weight-loss and diabetes prevention program through Omada Health. The program is being offered as a covered benefit under all MESSA plans.
The Omada program is different from other weight-loss programs: there are no set meal plans, no calorie counting and no extreme workouts. Instead, ,strong>the program empowers you to make small, sustainable lifestyle changes in the way you eat, sleep and manage stress that can improve your long-term health.
Those who qualify for Omada will receive a free “smart” scale, along with online access to personal health coaches, engaging curriculum, supportive peer groups and more. The program is completely free — with no deductible or copayments — for MESSA members and adult dependents who have prediabetes or are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
To find out if you qualify and to get started, visit http://messa.org/omada. The screener takes about one minute to complete.
Staples Members Savings Program for School Supplies
The MEA is pleased to announce a new program for members that is designed to save us money. MEA, using the collective strength of our union, has gained access to a pricing program with Staples that will bring significant discounts for BEA members.
The average educator spends over $500 per year out of pocket for supplies for their students and classroom or worksite! I am sure BEA members are no exception.
The MEA partnership with Staples could save members 10%-80% depending on the item, with an average estimated savings of 30%. At that $500 average, that could mean an extra $150 back in your pocket.
You can sign up here to start saving – or log in to our members-only area at www.mea.org/members-only for more information. The program is risk free and there are no commitments/contracts for you to sign.
CONTRACT CORNER
Contract FAQ- Extra Payments (Prep, Lunch, Evening Events, ect.)
Given that we have bargained numerous forms of extra payment for BEA members, I would like to take this opportunity to update and clarify what your contract provides to you. Here are some common questions we have been asked:
Q: What Extra Payments for work outside the contractual day exist in the new BEA-BPS Master Agreement?
A: You should be paid extra for the following:
- Missed lunch ($28)
- Missed prep for subbing or required meetings ($28/$40)
- Evening events after two ($56/event)
- Overnight or non-overnight field trips after school ($100 or $60/day)
- Team teaching planning after school or during lunch ($35/hr.)
- Tutoring after school ($35/hr.)
- Required Moving of classrooms ($28/8 hours total)
- Curriculum Work or PD after school-($28/hour)
- Pathways PD after school ($30/hr)
- Pathways Micro-credential ($90-3 credits)
Q: How do I know what form to use to submit for payment for this work? And Where can I find them?
A: Your building secretary should have the correct forms. If not, check with your building BEA Representative.
They have been provided updated forms. You can also find them in our "BEA-HR Payment Forms" located under the "Member's Data" tab.
Q: To whom do I submit the extra payment forms?
A: You can submit them to your building secretary or directly to Human Resources at the EAC. Depending on the type of payment, forms will need to be approved by your supervisor, and Susan File, Jennifer Roemer, or Stacey Summerhill.
Q: What happens if extra payment is denied?
A: First check with your building BEA Representative to see if you followed the correct contractual procedure. Second, you may need to confer with your building principal or secretary if the building has not signed off. If these don’t resolve the issue, contact HR and the BEA president for contractual clarification and/or for the BEA to address your concern.
Q: What if I have more questions about extra payment?
A: Contact your building BEA Representative. They have been provided training on dealing with extra payment issues and should be able to help you.