Accidents will happen
MESSA’s new accident supplemental plan helps you prepare for the unexpected
Accidents happen when you least expect them. But MESSA’s new supplemental accident plan can help you be more financially prepared.
The accident plan, which MESSA recently launched through a partnership with Aetna, pays you cash benefits when you or a covered family member are faced with a covered accidental injury, either on or off the job.
Here’s an example of how it works:
“Melissa D. Runner” is a language arts teacher in West Michigan.* One day, while out on her daily run, Melissa trips over a fallen branch and wipes out, breaking her leg in the process. The bills add up, between an ER visit, surgery, numerous doctors’ appointments and physical therapy.
Thankfully, in addition to her MESSA medical plan, Melissa has a MESSA accident plan. After filing an easy claim via her MyMESSA member account, she receives a $2,750 check that she uses to pay her remaining deductible, copayments and even some other bills. (See table for a hypothetical breakdown.)
There are two ways to get MESSA’s new accident plan, as well as MESSA’s other new supplemental benefits:
- Negotiated supplemental benefits: Bargaining units can negotiate with their employer to provide all employees in the group with an employer-paid bundle consisting of accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity coverage. This can be a particularly attractive option for groups with higher-deductible medical plans.
- Optional supplemental benefits: If the employer provides MESSA’s optional benefits, the employee can choose from an accident plan, a critical illness plan, a hospital indemnity plan or a bundle of all three, and pay via payroll deduction.
To learn more about MESSA’s new accident plan, as well as our other new supplemental plans, visit messa.org/supplemental.
MESSA accident plan example
| Covered care | Cash benefit |
|---|---|
| Initial treatment – ER | $150 |
| X-Ray | $50 |
| Broken leg (open reduction) | $2,250 |
| Appliances (crutches) | $100 |
| Follow-up care visit | $50 |
| Physical therapy (six visits) | $150 |
| Total paid | $2,750 |
To learn more, call your local MESSA field representative at 800-292-4910.
*The above member story is for illustrative purposes and does not reflect events experienced by actual participants.
