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Health Service Board outlines virtual open enrollment and redesigned flu clinics for 2021
Summary
SFHSS staff told the board they will mail roughly 77,000 open-enrollment packets, expand eBenefits access and hold virtual webinars; flu clinics will require appointments, follow DPH guidance and limit nurses to about 12 vaccinations per hour.
Mitchell Griggs, chief operating officer for the San Francisco Health Service System, told the board the 2021 open-enrollment process will rely on a mix of mailed booklets and online supports and is expected to see lighter participation than in past years. "We're expecting a light enrollment," Griggs said, citing IRS changes earlier in 2020 that allowed mid-year benefit updates.
The system plans to mail about 77,000 packets to active employees and retirees and to publish detailed guides on the HSS website. Griggs said the full benefit guides will be available electronically on Oct. 1, with printed hard copies available by year-end for those who request them. He also noted the RFP for non-Medicare plans is on track for release Monday, Sept. 14, with a pre-proposal conference set for Sept. 16.
Carrie Beshears, well-being manager, presented the worksite flu-clinic plan and said the program will shift to appointments and virtual outreach because of COVID-19. "We typically offer between 26 and 27 locations and tend to see around 4,700 vaccinations distributed," Beshears said, and added that as of the meeting 20 clinics were confirmed and three were already scheduled and open. Clinics will use physical-distancing measures, separate entries/exits and require face masks. Beshears said nursing stations are planned to serve roughly 12 individuals per nurse per hour and that Kaiser will provide single-use pens and back-up consent forms for those who forget paperwork.
Staff emphasized outreach to retirees, who are harder to reach by e-mail. Griggs said the system will mail inserts to retiree packets, send targeted e-mails, use a key-player network of 220'250 managers to amplify messages, and pilot text messaging through a citywide bridge system. Board members asked about support for less tech-savvy retirees; Griggs said member services and desktop-support staff will provide phone-based assistance and help with eBenefits activation.
The board did not take action on the open-enrollment presentation; staff said materials and webinar schedules would be posted on the SFHSS website and in upcoming communications.
