Benefits Spotlight

We recognize that news of ongoing violence continues to impact many of you, and our Employee Assistance Program, Spring Health, offers an abundance of resources to support you through these difficult times. 

Access Support for Current Events/Ongoing Acts of Violence.

NEW! Non-Degree Courses at the School of Professional Studies: As of September 1, 2023, the Employee Education Program (EEP) includes non-degree courses offered by Brown’s School of Professional Studies. Click here to learn more.

Sentinel Benefits is now partnering with the FSA store.  Many common over-the-counter items can be purchased using healthcare flexible spending. Learn more here.

Starting October 16, 2023, the Sentinel Group Benefit Card for employees using the healthcare flexible spending account and dependent care flexible spending account will get a fresh new appearance. All cards given out from this date forward will feature a sleek gray design along with the new Sentinel Group logo. The previous Sentinel Benny Cards remain valid for three years from their original distribution date. Employees will receive the updated card as they approach their expiration date.

Beginning September 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.  Tests can be ordered at Covid.gov/tests.

Before you throw out "expired" tests: Check to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended.

President Biden recently signed a resolution ending the COVID-19 National Emergency effective April 10, 2023. The end of the National Emergency triggers some changes to COVID relief measures that were put in place at the beginning of the pandemic. One relief measure impacted by this change relates to an extended claim filing period for Healthcare FSA plans. During the National Emergency claim filing deadlines for Healthcare FSA plans were paused and extended up to one year from the original deadline. If you have participated in a Healthcare FSA in 2022 it is important to understand how these changes impact your ability to file additional claims for any remaining balance in those accounts.

2022 Healthcare FSA Plan
If you participated in the Healthcare FSA plan in 2022 you will have until 12/7/2023 to file additional claims. The period for incurring expenses against your 2022 balance was not extended. Any expense incurred between 1/1/2022 and 3/15/2023 is eligible for reimbursement from your 2022 account balance.