We all have observed that Ford follows IBMs race to the bottom for health care and pensions. IBM switched from VIA to a worse option. Watch out for future disappearance of HRA $. Be forewarned and prepared
https://www.theregister.com/2023/02/09/ibm_heath_benefits_plan_transition/
The whole process has been a disaster for my spouse. VIA and NESC do not work together. Bad direction from both parties. Little Billie must be proud.
I had issues with them last year. This year went better. Submitted three screenshots -- 1) email from insurance company saying January recurring payment had been made; 2) screen shot from health insurance website showing healthcare plan I had enrolled in; 3) screenshot from insurance company showing I had elected autopay. I submitted these with request for reimbursement for entire year and it worked. Maybe I got lucky.
Every year it's the same thing. Send copies of your medical ID card, confirmation of payment, and you have to fight to prove you're buying insurance before they finally approve your 500 bucks a month. This should not be this painful of a process and it's a disgrace to do this to former employees that retired with over 30 years of service. This is why I will never buy a Ford product again.
I too am a Nov 30th retiree and having issues with Via Benefits. To avoid constant follow up each month , submit your Cobra confirmation letter from Ford showing yourself and your spouse or dependents and their names and the monthly premium being paid or get the same type of letter from your chosen health care providers. They told me they will not accept a basic receipt with just the monthly premium . The names of all family members being covered need to be on it as well for them to accept a receipt and pay a claim .
Nov 30 retiree here. Took cobra insurance. Never got bill in mail. Got billed $363 for first bill on Ford benefits website… paid it online, requested reimbursement from via benefits HRA and was denied… I added all the documentation and screenshots I thought to make it clear. Billed $2691 remaining balance for partial December thru February (me plus spouse) so I resubmitted with plenty of more screenshots. Had a good call with viabenefits, sounded like a US based man, good sound quality of call and he had no accent. Assumed it’s US based so much so I didn’t ask. Followed his advice, we shall see.
If Ford is involved, it sucks.
Just like everything at Ford, only go with the lowest price globally. Why would servicing employees be any different than customers.
That’s why I figure it out myself & don’t rely on them to give me advice!