FAQ
2023 WELLNESS PROGRAM
Our company (thyssenkrupp Material Services NA including thyssenkrupp Materials NA, thyssenkrupp Supply Chain Services, thyssenkrupp Aerospace NA and thyssenkrupp Materials Trading NA) is committed to helping you actively manage your health and well-being. We believe that an ongoing relationship with a primary care provider can improve your health and help you detect and treat symptoms before they become serious. Therefore, all employees and spouses enrolled in our medical plan are encouraged to complete a routine annual physical with a primary care provider between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. If you do, you will pay the regular medical plan contribution in 2024. If you choose not to, you will each pay a$50 monthly surcharge for your thyssenkrupp medical plan coverage starting in 2024.
How can I avoid the $50 monthly surcharge in 2023?
To avoid paying the surcharge, you and your medically covered spouse must complete a routine annual physical with a primary care provider between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. The $50 surcharge applies to employees and spouses (not dependent children) enrolled in thyssenkrupp medical coverage for 2023.
What should I tell my provider when scheduling my appointment?
Be sure to request an appointment for a routine annual physical. Use those words specifically. That's how your provider will know to code your visit correctly. To meet the September 30, 2023 deadline, and avoid any unforeseen scheduling conflicts, be sure to schedule your appointment well in advance of the deadline. Additionally, select a provider that meets your individual scheduling needs.
How much will this cost?
Under our medical plan, routine annual physicals are covered at 100% as a preventive care visit with an innetwork provider. However, services beyond your routine annual physical identified by your doctor during your visit may be subject to plan cost sharing. Note, our plan covers more than one routine annual physical in a 12 month or calendar year period, so you can complete the routine annual physical at any time from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 to avoid the surcharge in 2024.
Can I discuss other health concerns with my doctor at my routine annual physical appointment?
You can always use the visit to address other issues, but additional services performed outside of the scope of your routine annual physical could be subject to copay and deductible.
How will thyssenkrupp know that I’ve received my routine annual physical?
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois will track your visit; you do not need to take any further action or complete special forms. If you would like to verify that BCBSIL received your routine annual physical log into bcbsil.com and check your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or call BCBSIL at 888-895-1563. Don't wait until the last minute to schedule your physical and avoid any last minute scheduling or administrative issues.
How can I make sure my routine annual physical is coded correctly?
When you check in for your appointment and again when you check out, be sure to state that this visit is for a routine annual physical. After your appointment, check your EOB to make sure it was coded and processed correctly. Note: your EOB should specifically say "Physical History" within the Service Description column. You can check your EOB by logging into bcbsil.com or by calling BCBSIL at 888-895-1563. Keep in mind that your EOB may not be ready to view until a few weeks after your visit.
What should I do if my visit wasn’t processed as a routine annual physical?
If you check your EOB and it's not coded as a routine annual physical please call your provider's office, as they are responsible for what code they send to BCBSIL. They can resubmit the visit with correct coding to ensure you are properly credited.
I completed a routine annual physical shortly before October 1, 2022 (example September 1, 2022); does it count to avoid the surcharge for 2024?
No, you must complete your routine annual physical between October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023, to meet the criteria for 2024 surcharge avoidance. Simply complete a routine annual physical anytime within that window. The plan covers more than one routine annual physical in a 12 month or calendar year period.
What kind of provider should I use for my routine annual physical?
Your routine annual physical should be completed by a primary care provider, such as an internal medicine or family medicine provider.
Can I complete my routine annual physical at an urgent care center?
No. You must complete your routine annual physical with a primary care provider. An ongoing relationship with a primary care provider can improve your health and help you detect and treat symptoms before they become serious.
What if I don’t have a regular doctor?
If you don't have a relationship with a primary care provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois can help you find one. Log on to bcbsil.com and select Find Care, then Find a Doctor or Hospital. Log in to find a doctor in the network who is in a convenient location for you. Search for an internal medicine or family medicine doctor. You can also call customer service at 888-895-1563.
What happens if I don’t complete a routine annual physical?
If you and your medically covered spouse (if applicable) do not complete your routine annual physical, within the stated time period, you each will pay a $50 monthly surcharge for your company-provided medical coverage starting in 2024.
Why does thyssenkrupp want me to complete a routine annual physical?
We care about your health and the health of your dependents. As a company, we have long been committed to helping you actively manage your health and well-being. This includes offering consumerdriven health plans, covering preventive services at 100%, and offering an engaging wellness program.
We know that having an ongoing relationship with a primary care provider can improve your current and future health, helping you detect and treat symptoms before they become serious. It's one of the most important steps you can take to care for yourself.
What’s changing with Virgin Pulse?
We will continue offering all the services of Virgin Pulse. You will still have access to the health trackers, challenges, and educational materials you have used in the past. The only difference is that you will no longer earn points or Pulse Cash. The Pulse Cash you have already earned will remain available to you for spending, and you can redeem it at any time if you remain an active employee.
I’m a newly hired employee. What do I need to do to avoid the surcharge?
All employees hired prior to March 31, 2023 must complete their routine annual physical by the September 30, 2023 deadline to avoid the surcharge for the 2024 calendar year. Employees hired from April 1, 2023 onward will need to complete a routine annual physical with a primary care provider between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024 to avoid the surcharge for the 2025 calendar year.