School and Community Summer 2024

New Benefits for MSTA Members In a recent episode of MSTA Presents, Todd Fuller was joined by Brian Latkowski, the Executive Vice President of Sales at New Benefits, to shed light on the latest addition to MSTA’s collection of member benefits. We are proud to offer this marketplace of unique services to Missouri educators, hoping to enhance their overall well-being and support them in their professional and personal lives. New Benefits exhibits longstanding commitment to member-centric services, Latkowski stated, “New Benefits has been in business since 1990, so 34 years. And what we do best is we aggregate under one entry point for members, a multitude of benefits.” With streamlined processes and a user-friendly interface reminiscent of popular e-commerce platforms, accessing benefits is as simple as a few clicks or a quick phone call. From non-insured benefits to insurance and discounted products, members can opt in to what matters most to them. This includes counseling services; financial wellness coaching; Teladoc mental health visits; fertility, surrogacy and adoption support; preclinical support for life experiences and more. “Families can have alternative care access that can be more convenient and more affordable than traditional insurance. We’re not embedded with health insurance, but we’re here to complement or enhance your traditional insurance programs,” Latkowski explained. The Well-Being Access Plus package is offered at $19 a month and the Wellbeing Access tier is just $9.55 per month, presenting flexibility for members to choose the package that best suits their needs. “For example, you can pick up the phone at no charge and access a master’s level license counselor through our counseling service benefit. That’s in the Wellbeing Access package,” Latkowski continued. “But in addition to that, you also have access to a certified financial counselor. I like to think that financial wellness and mental wellness kind of go hand in glove - it can drive stress back and forth. [These services] can really minimize the stress that educators are feeling on a day-to-day basis.” Latkowski also shed light on the program’s inclusivity, noting that benefits are not only available to members but also to their families. “Adolescent access starts at age 13. Your dependents also have access to the services with convenience and affordability,” he stated. “Additionally, many teachers are doubling down as caregivers for loved ones today. And that’s a difficult role. Sometimes you don’t know where to start. Maybe it’s elder care of a parent or a spouse that’s come down with a severe illness or maybe even an adolescent child. Contained in these packages is a caregiver support resource through a company called Family First, where you can literally pick up the phone and say, ‘I’m caring for my dad, who was just recently diagnosed with dementia and I’m not really sure what steps I should be taking.’” New Benefits extends beyond mental wellness with the inclusion of ancillary benefits like pet insurance and discounted contact lenses or prescriptions. Details for all services are accessible on MSTA’s New Benefits storefront at www.msta.nbm.store. “Think of the storefront as like an Amazon checkout cart,” Latkowski said. “Everything that we do here at New Benefits is in-sourced, including our call center.” Once a member completes a purchase, their information is sent to the New Benefits headquarters in Dallas, where it is swiftly entered into their system. Within 24 to 36 hours, the member will receive a welcome email containing their unique identification details. They can then download the New Benefits mobile application from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and access all services included in their plan. “In addition to the welcome email, we do send out a benefits booklet and two fully laminated identification cards that are branded for MSTA. You could put those in your purse or wallet,” Latkowski noted. “If a member has any questions, they can pick up the phone and call us at (888) 672-5198 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST on Saturdays.” The introduction of the New Benefits program marks a significant step forward in MSTA’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of its members. Please utilize these services as needed - there’s something for everyone. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, visit mstapresents.podbean.com.

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