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2025-2026 Open Enrollment
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Know Where to Go for Answers
Call Team Member Services at 855-432-MIKE (6453), option 2, or submit a ticket through the Knowledge Zone.
Tobacco Fee & Cessation Program
The information below is for Team Members enrolled in a Michaels BCBSTX medical plan. If you are enrolled in the Michaels Kaiser medical plan, please refer to the Tobacco-Free Campus Toolkit for tobacco cessation resources.
Tobacco Fee
If you and/or your spouse or domestic partner have identified as a tobacco user while currently enrolled in Michaels BCBSTX medical plan, you are paying an additional tobacco fee of $30 per person, per paycheck, totaling $780 per person for the 2025-2026 benefits plan year. This fee is paid via a payroll deduction from each paycheck.
Participation in the BCBSTX Tobacco Cessation Program will qualify you for the Michaels Tobacco Cessation Incentive, which will waive the tobacco fee, as described below.
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Tobacco Use Status
You will select your tobacco use status when you enroll in your benefits each year. You can only update your tobacco use status during the annual open enrollment period, unless you complete the BCBSTX Tobacco Cessation Program and qualify for the Michaels Tobacco Cessation Incentive.
Michaels Tobacco Cessation Initiative
Michaels would like to reward you for taking steps to improve your health and quit tobacco use throughout the year by waiving your tobacco fee.
How to Have Your Tobacco Fee Waived
- Complete the BCBS Tobacco Cessation Program as described on this page.
- Upon completion of the program, submit a Knowledge Zone ticket to the Benefits Team to have your tobacco fee waived from your payroll deductions moving forward.
- The Benefits Team will then verify your completion of the program with BCBS and update Workday to remove the tobacco fee payroll deduction. It’s that easy!
Note: If medical reasons prevent you from completing the BCBS Tobacco Cessation Program, please contact the Benefits Team at 1-855-432-MIKE (6453) and we will work with you and your physician if you wish to find an alternate way to qualify for the incentive.
In addition to the BCBSTX Tobacco Cessation Program, nicotine patches are covered under the ACA Preventative Drug List for a $0 copay.
BCBSTX Tobacco Cessation Program
Michaels cares about you and your family’s well-being. For all Team Members and covered dependents enrolled in a Michaels BCBSTX medical plan, we are pleased to provide a free Tobacco Cessation Program to help you quit smoking and take steps toward a healthier future.
- The BCBSTX Tobacco Cessation Program is 30 days in length and customized to each member. There is no limit on the number of times the member can complete the program.
- Participation in this program also allows you to qualify for the Michaels Tobacco Cessation Incentive as described above.
More detailed information can be found below and in the Program Overview. To get started, log in to your BCBSTX account.
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Digital Self-Management Program
- Complete weekly online lessons to educate yourself on physical and social consequences of tobacco use, principles of addiction, treatment options, and tobacco-related health statistics.
- Practical action steps: create your own quitting plan to help reduce the potential for relapse prevention.
- Get access numerous calculators, trackers, tools, and educational materials.
Extended Coaching Options
- Telephonic and secured messaging coaching options
- Unlimited access to a coach throughout a program year. Coaches are available Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (CT).
Helpful Resources
BCBSTX Member Portal Login
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX)
ADA Accomodations
Accommodation Request Process
Step 1:
- Team Member notifies Manager of request for accommodation.
- Manager partners with HR.
Step 2:
- Supervisor partners with HR through interactive process (live dialogue).
- Team Member will be notified of the decision.
- If Team Member is not going to be accommodated, the supervisor will partner with Legal in addition to HR.
Initiate A Request
Diabetes Management
Partner with Your Primary Care Provider to Better Manage Your DiabetesManaging Your Diabetes
Each year, an estimated 1.5 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed. If you or someone you know is living with diabetes, a primary care provider (PCP) can help manage this condition.
Schedule a visit with your PCP, who will:
- Explain your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar level and body mass index.
- Help provide resources for making healthy food choices (lower carb options).
- Suggest adding exercise to your day. Small steps each day add up. Light walking is a great place to start.
- Offer treatment therapies that can better control your condition
Hyper vs. Hypo in Diabetes
Knowing the Difference
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it is important to understand the difference between hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Because both can cause health problems for people with diabetes, it’s important to keep blood sugar within a healthy range.
Helpful Resources
Introduction to Diabetes
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX)
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
Jump to a section:
What is an HRA?
When you elect the Kaiser HRA medical plan, Michaels contributes tax-free dollars to your health reimbursement account (HRA) which can pay for eligible medical expenses.
- If you have individual coverage, Michaels contributes $425 per year to your HRA.
- If you have family coverage, Michaels contributes $950 per year to your HRA.
- You cannot contribute money to your HRA.
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What can I use my HRA for?
Your HRA, administered through Kaiser Permanente, is automatically debited when you receive covered medical services, and this amount is typically applied to your deductible.
Is the Michaels contribution deposited all at once?
Yes. The funds contributed by Michaels will be available to you at the beginning of the plan year.
Do the contributions roll over from year to year?
Yes. The contributions to your HRA will roll over from year to year until you’re no longer enrolled in the Michaels Kaiser HRA plan.
How do I access my account?
Once your HRA is active, you can access your account information online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, online at kp.org/healthpayment. You’ll be able to view
your balance, file claims, view transaction history, and more.
Can I have both an HRA and FSA?
Yes, you can have both accounts. A flexible spending account (FSA) allows you to set aside tax-free money to help pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses. To learn more, visit this link: Flexible Spending Accounts.
Your Medical Plan Deductible & Coinsurance
With the Kaiser HRA plan, if you have family coverage, one person can meet the individual plan deductible and then the plan will share costs for that individual: this is called coinsurance.
Helpful Resources
Kaiser Permanente
Medical Insurance & Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) – California Only
Contact Information
Phone: 800-464-4000 (TTY 711)
Quick Links
How to Use Your HRA
First, use the money Michaels gives you.
Michaels will put money into your HRA depending on who is covered under your plan. You can use this money to pay for eligible in-network services until the account balance reaches a total of $0.
If you select the Kaiser HRA plan, you will have access to the full HRA contribution upfront, no matter when you are hired.
Next, use your money.
If you use all the money Michaels contributed to your account, then you will pay out-of-pocket for any remaining health care expenses, until you meet your plan deductible. Remember, in-network preventive care is always 100% covered.
Then, you and Michaels share costs.
After you’ve met your plan deductible, Michaels will pay for a percentage of your health care expenses, and you will pay for the remainder of the costs: this is called coinsurance.
Finally, Michaels has it from there.
If your health care expenses reach your out-of-pocket maximum, Michaels will pay for 100% of your eligible in-network costs for the rest of the plan year.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Jump to a section:
What is an HSA?
When you elect the Michaels Choice HSA medical plan, you are eligible to participate in a Health Savings Account (HSA). An HSA is an account much like a 401(k) plan, but it is used for eligible health care expenses.
An HSA is a pretax savings account for health care expenses that provides a triple tax advantage that lets you keep more of your money!
- Tax-Deductible Contributions: The money you put into your HSA is deducted from your paycheck before taxes.
- Tax-Free Growth: Your savings grow over time, and any interest or investment gains are tax-free.
- Tax-Free Withdrawals: You can withdraw money at any time to pay for qualified medical expenses.
Michaels contributes tax-free dollars to your HSA and you can contribute, too.* These funds can be used to pay for eligible health care expenses, now and in the future.
*Each year, the IRS issues maximum contribution limits for HSAs, as outlined below.
Annual Contribution Limits |
|
| Individual Coverage | |
| How Much Michaels Contributes1 | How Much You Can Contribute |
|
$500 per year |
Up to $4,400 If you are age 55 or older, you may contribute an extra $1,000 per year. |
| Family Coverage | |
| How Much Michaels Contributes1 | How Much You Can Contribute |
|
$1,000 per year |
Up to $8,750 If you are age 55 or older, you may contribute an extra $1,000 per year. |
|
1Michaels contribution amount is pro-rated for new hires or when first enrolling in the Choice HSA Plan.
|
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Are Michaels contributions into my HSA account included in the IRS maximum limits?
Yes. When calculating your annual contributions, remember to include in your Michaels contributions!
If I make the $1,000 catch-up contribution is it included in the IRS maximum limits?
No, the Health Savings Account (HSA) catch-up contribution is not included in the annual IRS maximum contribution limit.
What can I use my HSA for?
The HSA can be used for medical, prescription drugs, dental, and vision expenses, including deductibles, coinsurance, and office visits (in-network and out-of-network).
Is the Michaels contribution deposited all at once?
No. Contributions from Michaels are deposited each pay period, over the annual 26 pay periods and is prorated for new hire Team Members or newly enrolled in the Choice HSA plan.
Do the contributions roll over from year to year?
Yes, the contributions to your HSA will roll over from year to year without affecting your next year’s IRS maximum contribution limits.
How do I access my account?
You must set up an account through Health Equity, our HSA administrator, for your contributions and your Michaels contributions to be deposited.
You will receive a debit card from Health Equity to pay for eligible expenses.
Can I get reimbursed for an expense when not paid with my debit card?
Yes. Reimbursement claims for eligible expenses can be submitted through Health Equity.
Can I have both an HSA and FSA?
Because you have an HSA, the IRS allows you to contribute to a Limited Purpose FSA (LPFSA) that can be used for eligible dental and vision expenses only. You may also participate in the Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA).
For more information about FSAs, visit this link: Flexible Spending Accounts.
Helpful Resources
HealthEquity
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA)
Contact Information
HSA: 866-346-5800
FSA: 877-924-3967
Quick Links