Reliance Matrix Benefits Overview Video
Leave, Disability & Voluntary Benefits
Open Enrollment Webinar Presentation Video
Mercer Health Advantage (MHA) Program
This program is for Team Members enrolled in a BCBSTX medical plan.
Health Care Help for You
Sometimes managing your health requires more than doctor visits, lab tests, and prescriptions. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) makes it easier than ever for you to get the most from your health plan benefits. Your health plan includes the Mercer Health Advantage program, which offers specialized training and support from Personal Health Clinicians and Benefits Value Advisors (BVAs).
To reach a Personal Health Clinician or BVA, simply call the number on the back of your member ID card.
Program Overview
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Personal Health Clinicians
Personal Health Clinicians* are trained to help with your health and benefit questions, concerns, and more. Each clinician is backed by a team of health specialists, including behavioral health clinicians, social workers, and a pharmacist.
A Personal Health Clinician* can help you:
- Keep up with doctor’s appointments and other care-related activities.
- Review your doctor’s instructions.
- Coordinate your care needs after an illness, procedure or surgery.
- Know what to expect if you spend time in the hospital.
*Talking with a Personal Health Clinician is not a substitute for medical advice. Care and treatment decisions are between you and your health care provider. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911.
Benefits Value Advisors (BVAs)
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Benefits Value Advisors (BVAs) partner with dedicated Personal Health Clinicians to help you get the most from your benefits. BVAs can help you get costs for providers and procedures, assist with referrals and prior authorizations, schedule appointments and more.
Know Your Benefits
24/7 Nurseline
- Answers general health questions
- Helps you decide where to get care
Behavioral Health
- Covers treatment for anxiety, stress and depression
- Helps with substance use and eating disorders, autism and other conditions
Fitness Program
- A choice of gym networks to fit your budget and preference
- Different membership options2 to best meet needs and preferences
- Provides discounts at 40,000 well-being providers nationwide
Women’s and Family Health
- Ovia®, Ovia® Pregnancy, or Ovia™ Parenting Apps
- Helps with high-risk pregnancies
- Support from maternity specialists
Stay in Touch with BCBSTX
You can decide how you want Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) to contact you about your health plan benefits. Below are three quick steps to take now to make using your health plan easier. This way, when you need to use your benefits, you’ll be ready to go.
Step 1: Put the BCBSTX phone number in your contact list.
- You can reach a BCBSTX Personal Health Clinician or Benefits Value Advisor (BVA) by calling the number on the back of your member ID card.
- Personal Health Clinicians can answer questions about your health insurance and help you navigate the health care system. A BVA can help you get costs for providers and procedures, assist with referrals, schedule appointments, set up pre-authorizations and more.
- Put this number in your phone contact list now!
Step 2: Tell BCBSTX how you want to stay in touch.
- Add or update your contact preferences by logging in to the member portal.
- This way, BCBSTX will know how to reach you with important benefits and health information.
Step 3: Download and use the BCBSTX app to find a doctor, access your digital ID card, and more. To download, just text BCBSTXAPP to 33633.
Nobody wants to imagine their pet getting sick or injured, but when it comes to your pet’s health, it’s best to expect the unexpected. When you enroll in Pet Health Insurance, administered by Wishbone, you will receive a 70% reimbursement on your pet’s veterinary care after meeting the $250 deductible. Protecting your pet’s health and your finances has never been easier!
Wishbone Pet Insurance is accepted at any vet in the U.S., including emergency hospitals. Once you file a claim, you can expect a fast reimbursement via a mailed check.
This benefit will not be set up as a payroll deduction but instead by credit card payment through Wishbone.
Helpful Resources
Provider
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX)
Pet Health Insurance
Prepare for the Unexpected with Your Pet's HealthWishbone Pet Health Insurance
Plan Information
Nobody wants to imagine their pet getting sick or injured- but when it comes to your pet’s health, it’s best to expect the unexpected.
Enroll in pet health insurance from Wishbone and receive 70% reimbursement on your pet’s veterinary care. With a low deductible of $250, protecting your pet’s health and your finances
has never been easier!
Wishbone Pet Insurance is accepted at any vet in the U.S., including emergency hospitals. Once you file a claim, expect fast reimbursement via mailed check. It’s that easy!
Nobody wants to imagine their pet getting sick or injured, but when it comes to your pet’s health, it’s best to expect the unexpected. When you enroll in Pet Health Insurance, administered by Wishbone, you will receive a 70% reimbursement on your pet’s veterinary care after meeting the $250 deductible. Protecting your pet’s health and your finances has never been easier!
Wishbone Pet Insurance is accepted at any vet in the U.S., including emergency hospitals. Once you file a claim, you can expect a fast reimbursement via a mailed check.
This benefit will not be set up as a payroll deduction but instead by credit card payment through Wishbone.
Provider
Pet Benefit Solutions
Voluntary Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Voluntary Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Plan Information
Hospital Indemnity Insurance, administered by Reliance Matrix, provides a range of fixed, lump-sum daily benefits to help cover costs associated with a hospital admission, including room and board costs. These benefits are paid directly to the insured following a hospitalization that meets the criteria for benefit payment.
Voluntary Hospital Indemnity Insurance Plan Highlights: English | Spanish
Voluntary Hospital Indemnity Insurance, administered by Reliance Matrix, provides a range of fixed, lump-sum daily benefits to help cover costs associated with a hospital admission, including room and board costs. These benefits are paid directly to you following a hospitalization that meets the criteria for benefit payment.
If you are newly eligible to enroll in benefits, you can elect Hospital Indemnity Insurance coverage up to the Guarantee Issue without answering any health questions. Otherwise, you will be required to provide Evidence of Insurability (EOI) and be approved by Reliance Standard before coverage begins.
Voluntary Hospital Indemnity Insurance Plan Highlights: English | Spanish
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Eligibility
All benefits-eligible full-time Team Members and covered dependents are eligible for Hospital Indemnity Insurance.
Dependents can include:
- Your legal spouse or domestic partner.
- Your dependent children from birth to 26 years.
A person may not have coverage as both a Team Member and a dependent.
Biweekly Premiums
| Coverage | Premium – High |
Schedule of Benefits
| Benefits | Amount |
| Hospital Room & Board | $100 per day (30 daily benefits per plan year*) |
| Hospital Critical Care Unit | $200 per day (15 daily benefits per plan year) |
| Hospital Admission & Observation | $1,000 (2 daily benefits per plan year) |
| Hospital Critical Care Admission | $2,000 (1 daily benefit per plan year) |
| Wellness Care** | $50 (1 daily benefit per plan year) |
| On-Call Travel Assistance Services | Included |
*In no event will the Daily Benefits exceed 30 daily benefits per Coverage Year.
**Wellness Care means medical examinations and procedures that are preventive in nature and not for the treatment of Injury or Sickness.
Features
- Guaranteed issue; no medical questions
- No pre-existing conditions exclusions
- Mental & Nervous and Substance Abuse treated same as any
other hospital admission - No deductibles
- Eligible for continuation of coverage
- HIPAA privacy compliant
- Overlying Major Medical Plan NOT Required*
- Coverage Offered on a Voluntary Basis
Video Overview of Leave, Disability & Voluntary Benefits
Get Support
For assistance, contact Team Member Services at 855-432-MIKE (6453) and select option 2, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. You can also open a Knowledge Zone support ticket.
File Your Claim(s) Online with Reliance Matrix
Guidance for Filing Claims with Reliance Matrix
How-To Guides
- Easy Access Claims Filing - Process flow overview for filing claims with Reliance Matrix.
- Filing Claims with Reliance Matrix - Applies to Leave of Absence (LOA), Disability, and Voluntary benefits.
- How to File Claims for Short-Term Disability (STD) & Family Medical Leave of Absence (FMLA)
- How to File Claims for Voluntary Accident, Hospital Indemnity & Critical Illness
- Download the Matrix eServices App
Important Note About Claims for Kaiser Members
Team Members who are enrolled in a Kaiser medical plan must complete an authorization release form in order to file a claim with Reliance Matrix.
- Reliance Matrix will provide you with the authorization release form to sign and return.
- This form is required in order for Reliance Matrix to obtain the required medical certification from your physician.
- Failure to provide the signed authorization release form to Reliance Matrix will result in your claim being denied.
Reliance Matrix
Disability, Life & AD&D, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Contact Information
Phone: 1-800-351-7500
Quick Links
Open Enrollment Resources
Your Guide to Benefits Enrollment for the 2025–2026 Plan YearOpen Enrollment Period:
May 12–23, 2025
Benefits Plan Year:
July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
Choose Your 2025–2026 Benefits
Open Enrollment is May 12–23, 2025
At Michaels, we offer you and your family programs and resources that support and encourage a healthy lifestyle. When needed, our benefits can ease the financial burden of health care services, physicians, and medications.
The right benefits for you and your family can look different from year to year. Open
Enrollment is your once-a-year opportunity (unless you experience a qualifying life event) to select or update benefit coverages for you and your eligible family members that will start July 1, 2025.
This year, Open Enrollment is May 12–23, 2025.
You have choices when it comes to benefits. There is a wide array of plans and options available to suit your changing needs. We encourage you to review your needs for the coming year and select the benefits that will best meet your situation. Outlined on this page are reminders and next steps for you to take during this Open Enrollment period.
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Medical, Dental, Vision & More
As a Michaels Team Member, you have access to a range of benefits to meet your needs. There’s a lot to understand, so to help you make the best decisions for you and your family, detailed benefits information is available on this website.
Get started by reviewing this page and the Benefits Enrollment Guide, and then navigate to the Benefits tab in the menu at the top of every page.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Select Networks
Michaels partners with BCBSTX for our high-quality medical plans and broad network of providers to choose from. Effective July 1, 2025, BCBSTX and Michaels will implement new networks in the locations listed below. The same Michaels benefit plans will continue to be offered across all networks.
Depending on your location, you’ll have access to either the BCBS Select Network or the BCBS BlueCard PPO Network. Team Members located in the below locations can go to the specific websites to search for your provider. While some providers may no longer be considered in network, a majority of Team Members should not experience disruption in their healthcare services. For Team Members located outside of the locations below you will continue to access the BCBSTX.com/Michaels website to search for your provider.
BCBSTX Select Network Provider Finder Links
- California – Tandem PPO
- Colorado – Pathway
- Florida – Network Blue
- Georgia – Blue Open Access POS
- Illinois – Blue Choice PPO (BCS)
- Minnesota – High Value Network
- Kansas City, Missouri – Preferred Care
- St. Louis, Missouri – Blue Access Choice
- New Jersey – Horizon Managed Care Network
- Wisconsin – Blue Preferred POS
Annual Wellness Exam
If you and/or your spouse/domestic partner were enrolled in a Michaels medical plan on or before March 1, 2025, you each must complete an annual physical exam sometime between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, to avoid paying $30 surcharge per paycheck, per person, on your medical premiums beginning in the new plan year.
Learn More: How to Fulfill Your Annual Wellness Exam Requirement
Tobacco Cessation Program
If you and/or your spouse/domestic partner are a tobacco user (including e-cigarettes and non-nicotine vaporizers) while enrolled in a Michaels BCBSTX or Kaiser medical plan, you will pay a $30 fee per person, per paycheck, added to your medical premiums beginning in the new plan year.
You can qualify to have this fee removed by completing a Tobacco Cessation Program available to you free of charge.
Pet Insurance
You have the option to enroll in pet insurance, with payment conveniently accepted via credit card.
Learn More: Wishbone Pet Health Insurance
What You Need to Do
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If you do not take action during the annual open enrollment period, your current benefit elections will continue at the new 2024-2024 rates for the 2024-2025 plan year, which begins on July 1, 2024 and ends on June 30, 2025.
You can only change your benefit elections outside the annual open enrollment period if you experience a qualifying life event. For more information about qualifying life events, please visit this link: Change in Status.
Dependent Eligibility Verification Will Be Required
If you add a new dependent to your coverage, you’ll receive instructions from Consova, Michaels third-party partner, on how to verify your dependents’ eligibility to participate in our plans. As part of the verification process, you will be asked to provide documentation for your new dependent, such as a birth certificate, court order, or marriage license.
Review the eligibility requirements to determine whether your dependent is eligible to be added to your coverage.
Important note: If you previously added a dependent to your coverage and verification was not completed, verification will be required.
Benefits for Peace of Mind: Life and AD&D Coverage
Michaels offers Basic and Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance to help protect your income if you or your spouse/domestic partner are injured, disabled, or pass away. During Open Enrollment, you’ll have the option to enroll in or update this coverage.
Evidence of Insurability (EOI), or proof of good health, may be required based on the amount of any coverage changes. Enrollment in a Michaels medical plan is not required to enroll in Life and AD&D coverage.
Increasing Your Voluntary Life Coverage Amount
- You can increase your Voluntary Life Insurance coverage amount by up to $40,000 during Open Enrollment without being required to submit EOI for approval.
- You can also increase spouse/domestic partner coverage by up to $5,000 without EOI, or up to $30,000 with EOI.
- Any increase that causes your total coverage amount to be $500,000 or more will require EOI.
FSA & HSA Elections
You will have the opportunity to make Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or Health Savings Account (HSA) elections in October 2025 for the 2026 calendar year. If you change from one Michaels medical plan type to another (for example, PPO to HSA), this can affect your current FSA or HSA election for the remainder of the calendar year.
Below are FSA, HSA, and HRA scenarios that may be helpful to understand when making benefit elections. As a reminder, your FSA and/or HSA elections for the 2025 calendar year were made in October 2024.
Are you using a device with a small screen?
Tap or click the content below and scroll to access all the information.
| Medical Benefit Election Effects on FSAs, HSAs and HRAs | Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) | Kaiser Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) | Health Savings Account (HSA) | Health Savings Account (HSA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolled in: PPO Change to: Choice HSA | If you are currently enrolled in the Health Care FSA, your current account and the pretax contributions to the account will be automatically transitioned to the Limited Purpose FSA effective July 1, 2025. You can opt out of the Limited Purpose FSA during the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. | Cannot enroll | HSA: Eligible to enroll during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. The 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you change it during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount any time during the year. This is different from the FSAs, which cannot be changed during the year unless you have a qualifying life event as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). You will be eligible for an HSA contribution from Michaels depending on whom you cover. | HSA: Eligible to enroll during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. The 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you change it during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount any time during the year. This is different from the FSAs, which cannot be changed during the year unless you have a qualifying life event as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). You will be eligible for an HSA contribution from Michaels depending on whom you cover. |
| Enrolled in: Choice HSA Change to: PPO | If you are currently enrolled in a Limited Purpose FSA, your current account and the pretax contributions to the account will be automatically transitioned to the Health Care FSA effective July 1, 2025. You can opt out of the Health Care FSA during the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. | Cannot enroll | Required to stop contributing to your HSA. Your unused funds will remain available to use. | Required to stop contributing to your HSA. Your unused funds will remain available to use. |
| Enrolled in: PPO No change (This includes Basic & Enhanced PPO moves within the two plans) | If you are currently enrolled in the Health Care FSA, your 2025 pretax contributions will stay in place for the remainder of 2025. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax Limited Purpose FSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. | Cannot enroll | Cannot enroll | Cannot enroll |
| Enrolled in: Choice HSA No change | If you are currently enrolled in the Limited Purpose FSA, your 2025 contributions will stay in place for the remainder of 2025. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax Limited Purpose FSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. | Cannot enroll | HSA: Eligible to enroll during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. The 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you elect to change your contribution during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount anytime during the year. This is different from the FSA which cannot be changed during the year unless you incur a Change in Status as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). Michaels HSA contribution to your account will continue. | HSA: Eligible to enroll during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. The 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you elect to change your contribution during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount anytime during the year. This is different from the FSA which cannot be changed during the year unless you incur a Change in Status as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). Michaels HSA contribution to your account will continue. |
| Enrolled in: Kaiser HRA Change to: PPO | If you are currently enrolled in the Health Care FSA, your 2025 contributions will stay in place for the remainder of 2025. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax Health Care FSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. If not currently enrolled in an FSA, you may enroll during the October FSA/HSA enrollment period for the 2026 calendar year. | Michaels HRA contribution will stop | Cannot enroll | Cannot enroll |
| Enrolled in: Kaiser HRA Change to: Choice HSA | If you are currently enrolled in the Health Care FSA, your current account and the pretax contributions to the account will be automatically transitioned to a new Limited Purpose FSA effective July 1, 2025. You can opt out of the Limited Purpose FSA during the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026 | Michaels HRA contribution will stop | HSA: Eligible to enroll in this plan during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. Your 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you elect to change them during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount any time during the year. This is different from the FSA, which cannot be changed during the year unless you have a qualifying life event as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). You will be eligible for a Michaels HSA contribution to your plan. | HSA: Eligible to enroll during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. The 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you elect to change it during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount any time during the year. This is different from the FSAs, which cannot be changed during the year unless you have a qualifying life event as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). You will be eligible for a Michaels HSA contribution to your plan. |
| Enrolled in: Kaiser HRA No change | If you are currently enrolled in the Health Care FSA, your 2025 contributions will stay in place for the remainder of 2025. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax Health Care FSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. If not currently enrolled in an FSA, you may enroll during the October FSA/HSA enrollment period for the 2026 calendar year. | Michaels HRA contribution will stop | Cannot enroll | Cannot enroll |
Enroll by 11:59 p.m. CT on Friday, May 23, 2025.
You don’t have to do anything to keep your current coverage. However, you must complete enrollment to:
- Change your current benefit elections
- Add new dependents to your coverage
- Remove dependents from your coverage
If you take no action during Open Enrollment, your current benefit elections will continue automatically at the new 2025–2026 rates. Outside of Open Enrollment, you will only be able to change your benefit elections if you experience a qualifying life event.
Begin Enrollment
You can enroll in or update your benefit elections online in Workday. Below you will find step-by-step instructions for how to enroll, along with information about the eValuate Health Plan Selector tool.
Enroll Online in Workday
- Log in to Workday using single sign-on or through the app. Choose View all Apps and click on the Benefits app.
- Make your elections for each plan. Click Save to make sure your choices are recorded.
- When you are done, click Review and Sign or Save for Later. You must submit any changes you have made to finalize your choices.
eValuate Helps You Choose the Right Plan
Use the eValuate tool for help selecting the right medical plan for you. Choosing a medical plan can be confusing, and eValuate can help!
The eValuate tool offers transparency in plan costs and a way to model how you and your family use your medical plan. The more you know about the available choices, plans and features, the easier it is to select and use your benefits wisely.
Open Enrollment Webinars & Meetings
The Benefits team will host enrollment webinars and live meetings in some locations according to the schedule below.
| Training | Date/Time (CST) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Ridge In-Person Presentation | Mon, May 12 from 1–2 p.m. | Auditorium |
| Team Member Webinar | Wed, May 14 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Join via Teams |
| Team Member Webinar | Thurs, May 15 from 1–2 p.m. | Join via Teams |
| Team Member Webinar | Mon, May 19 from 12–1 p.m. | Join via Teams |
| Royal Ridge In-Person Presentation | Tues, May 20 from 10–11 a.m. | Auditorium |
2025–2026 Benefits Enrollment Guide
Spanish Version Coming Soon
Helpful Resources
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.
Benefits Enrollment Resources
Benefits Information for HR & People LeadersOpen Enrollment Period:
May 12–23, 2025
Benefits Plan Year:
July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026
Prepare for the New Benefits Plan Year
Open Enrollment is May 12–23, 2025
At Michaels, we offer Team Members and their family programs and resources that support and encourage a healthy lifestyle. When needed, our benefits can ease the financial burden of health care services, physicians, and medications.
The right benefits can look different from year to year. Open Enrollment is Team Members’ once-a-year opportunity (unless they experience a qualifying life event) to select or update their benefit coverages for themselves and their eligible family members that will start July 1, 2025.
This year, Open Enrollment is May 12–23, 2025.
Team Members have choices when it comes to benefits. There is a wide array of plans and options available to suit their changing needs. We encourage Team Members to review their needs for the coming year and select the benefits that will best meet their situation.
Beginning the week of May 5, 2025, Team Members will be directed to the Open Enrollment Resources for Team Members page for an overview of Open Enrollment, plan changes and resources, and step-by-step instructions on how to enroll online in Workday.
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Medical, Dental, Vision & More
Michaels Team Members have access to a range of benefits to meet their needs. There’s a lot to understand, so to help Team Members make the best decisions for themselves and their family, detailed benefits information is available on this website.
Team Members can get started by reviewing this page and the Benefits Enrollment Guide, and then navigate to the Benefits tab in the menu at the top of every page.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Select Networks
Michaels partners with BCBSTX for our high-quality medical plans and broad network of providers to choose from. Effective July 1, 2025, BCBSTX and Michaels will implement new networks in the locations listed below. The same Michaels benefit plans will continue to be offered across all networks.
Depending on their location, Team Members will have access to either the BCBS Select Network or the BCBS BlueCard PPO Network. Team Members located in the below locations can go to the specific websites to search for their provider. While some providers may no longer be considered in network, a majority of Team Members should not experience disruption in their healthcare services. For Team Members located outside of the locations below they will continue to access the BCBSTX.com/Michaels website to search for their provider.
BCBSTX Select Network Provider Finder Links
- California – Tandem PPO
- Colorado – Pathway
- Florida – Network Blue
- Georgia – Blue Open Access POS
- Illinois – Blue Choice PPO (BCS)
- Minnesota – High Value Network
- Kansas City, Missouri – Preferred Care
- St. Louis, Missouri – Blue Access Choice
- New Jersey – Horizon Managed Care Network
- Wisconsin – Blue Preferred POS
Annual Wellness Exam
If Team Members and/or their spouse/domestic partner were enrolled in a Michaels medical plan on or before March 1, 2025, they each must complete an annual physical exam sometime between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, to avoid paying $30 surcharge per paycheck, per person, on their medical premiums beginning in August 2025.
Learn More: How to Fulfill Your Annual Wellness Exam Requirement
Tobacco Cessation Program
If Team Members and/or their spouse/domestic partner are a tobacco user (including e-cigarettes and non-nicotine vaporizers) while enrolled in a Michaels BCBSTX or Kaiser medical plan, they will pay a $30 fee per person, per paycheck, added to their medical premiums beginning in August 2025.
Team Members can qualify to have this fee removed by completing a Tobacco Cessation Program available to them free of charge.
Pet Insurance
Team members have the option to enroll in pet insurance, with payment conveniently accepted via credit card.
Learn More: Wishbone Pet Health Insurance
What Team Members Need to Do
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If you do not take action during the annual open enrollment period, your current benefit elections will continue at the new 2024-2024 rates for the 2024-2025 plan year, which begins on July 1, 2024 and ends on June 30, 2025.
You can only change your benefit elections outside the annual open enrollment period if you experience a qualifying life event. For more information about qualifying life events, please visit this link: Change in Status.
Dependent Eligibility Verification Will Be Required
If Team Members add a new dependent to their coverage, they will receive instructions from Consova, Michaels third-party partner, on how to verify their dependent’s eligibility to participate in our plans. As part of the verification process, they will be asked to provide documentation for their new dependent, such as a birth certificate, court order, or marriage license.
Team Members can review the Eligibility Requirements to determine whether their dependent is eligible to be added to their coverage.
Important Note: If Team Members previously added a dependent to their coverage and verification was not completed, verification will be required.
Benefits for Peace of Mind: Life and AD&D Coverage
Michaels offers Basic and Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance to help protect Team Members’ income if they and/or their spouse/domestic partner are injured, disabled, or pass away. During Open Enrollment, Team Members will have the option to enroll in or update this coverage.
Evidence of Insurability (EOI), or proof of good health, may be required based on the amount of any coverage changes. Enrollment in a Michaels medical plan is not required to enroll in Life and AD&D coverage.
How Team Members Can Increase Their Voluntary Life Coverage Amount
- Team Members can increase their Voluntary Life Insurance coverage amount by up to $40,000 during Open Enrollment without being required to submit EOI for approval.
- They can also increase spouse/domestic partner coverage by up to $5,000 without EOI, or up to $30,000 with EOI.
- Any increase that causes the total coverage amount to be $500,000 or more will require EOI.
FSA & HSA Elections
Team Members will have the opportunity to make Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or Health Savings Account (HSA) elections in October 2025 for the 2026 calendar year. If Team Members change from one Michaels medical plan type to another (i.e. PPO to HSA), this can affect their current FSA or HSA election for the remainder of the calendar year.
Below are FSA, HSA, and HRA scenarios that may be helpful for Team Members to understand when making benefit elections. As a reminder, FSA and/or HSA elections for the 2025 calendar year were made in October 2024.
Are you using a device with a small screen?
Tap or click the content below and scroll to access all the information.
| Medical Benefit Election Effects on FSAs, HSAs and HRAs | Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) | Kaiser Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) | Health Savings Account (HSA) | Health Savings Account (HSA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrolled in: PPO Change to: Choice HSA | If you are currently enrolled in the Health Care FSA, your current account and the pretax contributions to the account will be automatically transitioned to the Limited Purpose FSA effective July 1, 2025. You can opt out of the Limited Purpose FSA during the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. | Cannot enroll | HSA: Eligible to enroll during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. The 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you change it during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount any time during the year. This is different from the FSAs, which cannot be changed during the year unless you have a qualifying life event as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). You will be eligible for an HSA contribution from Michaels depending on whom you cover. | HSA: Eligible to enroll during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. The 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you change it during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount any time during the year. This is different from the FSAs, which cannot be changed during the year unless you have a qualifying life event as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). You will be eligible for an HSA contribution from Michaels depending on whom you cover. |
| Enrolled in: Choice HSA Change to: PPO | If you are currently enrolled in a Limited Purpose FSA, your current account and the pretax contributions to the account will be automatically transitioned to the Health Care FSA effective July 1, 2025. You can opt out of the Health Care FSA during the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. | Cannot enroll | Required to stop contributing to your HSA. Your unused funds will remain available to use. | Required to stop contributing to your HSA. Your unused funds will remain available to use. |
| Enrolled in: PPO No change (This includes Basic & Enhanced PPO moves within the two plans) | If you are currently enrolled in the Health Care FSA, your 2025 pretax contributions will stay in place for the remainder of 2025. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax Limited Purpose FSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. | Cannot enroll | Cannot enroll | Cannot enroll |
| Enrolled in: Choice HSA No change | If you are currently enrolled in the Limited Purpose FSA, your 2025 contributions will stay in place for the remainder of 2025. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax Limited Purpose FSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. | Cannot enroll | HSA: Eligible to enroll during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. The 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you elect to change your contribution during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount anytime during the year. This is different from the FSA which cannot be changed during the year unless you incur a Change in Status as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). Michaels HSA contribution to your account will continue. | HSA: Eligible to enroll during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. The 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you elect to change your contribution during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount anytime during the year. This is different from the FSA which cannot be changed during the year unless you incur a Change in Status as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). Michaels HSA contribution to your account will continue. |
| Enrolled in: Kaiser HRA Change to: PPO | If you are currently enrolled in the Health Care FSA, your 2025 contributions will stay in place for the remainder of 2025. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax Health Care FSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. If not currently enrolled in an FSA, you may enroll during the October FSA/HSA enrollment period for the 2026 calendar year. | Michaels HRA contribution will stop | Cannot enroll | Cannot enroll |
| Enrolled in: Kaiser HRA Change to: Choice HSA | If you are currently enrolled in the Health Care FSA, your current account and the pretax contributions to the account will be automatically transitioned to a new Limited Purpose FSA effective July 1, 2025. You can opt out of the Limited Purpose FSA during the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026 | Michaels HRA contribution will stop | HSA: Eligible to enroll in this plan during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. Your 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you elect to change them during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount any time during the year. This is different from the FSA, which cannot be changed during the year unless you have a qualifying life event as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). You will be eligible for a Michaels HSA contribution to your plan. | HSA: Eligible to enroll during May 2025 Open Enrollment period. The 2025 HSA pretax contribution you elect will stay in place for the remainder of 2025, unless you elect to change it during the year. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax HSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. Bonus! You can change your HSA election amount any time during the year. This is different from the FSAs, which cannot be changed during the year unless you have a qualifying life event as described in your Summary Plan Description (SPD). You will be eligible for a Michaels HSA contribution to your plan. |
| Enrolled in: Kaiser HRA No change | If you are currently enrolled in the Health Care FSA, your 2025 contributions will stay in place for the remainder of 2025. During the Michaels October FSA/HSA enrollment period, you will elect your 2026 pretax Health Care FSA contribution amount, with the effective date of Jan. 1, 2026. If not currently enrolled in an FSA, you may enroll during the October FSA/HSA enrollment period for the 2026 calendar year. | Michaels HRA contribution will stop | Cannot enroll | Cannot enroll |
The enrollment deadline is 11:59 p.m. CT on Friday, May 23, 2025.
Team Members don’t have to do anything to keep their current coverage. However, they must complete enrollment to: 1) change their current benefit elections, 2) add new dependents to their coverage, and/or 3) remove dependents from their coverage.
If Team Members take no action during Open Enrollment, their current benefit elections will continue automatically at the new 2025–2026 rates. Outside of Open Enrollment, they will only be able to change their benefit elections if they experience a qualifying life event.
Open Enrollment Webinar & Meeting Schedule
The Benefits team will host enrollment webinars and live meetings in some locations according to the schedule below.
| Training | Date/Time (CST) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Ridge In-Person Presentation | Mon, May 12 from 1–2 p.m. | Auditorium |
| Team Member Webinar | Wed, May 14 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Join via Teams |
| Team Member Webinar | Thurs, May 15 from 1–2 p.m. | Join via Teams |
| Team Member Webinar | Mon, May 19 from 12–1 p.m. | Join via Teams |
| Royal Ridge In-Person Presentation | Tues, May 20 from 10–11 a.m. | Auditorium |
Team Member Communications
Below are the communications that have been, or are scheduled to be, distributed to Team Members regarding Open Enrollment.
Home Mailer Announcement: English | Spanish
Open Enrollment Overview Page: English | Spanish
Benefits Enrollment Guide: English | Spanish
Emails: May 7, May 12, May 19, May 22, and May 23
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.
Wellness Programs & Surcharges
Be Proactive with Your Wellness & Avoid SurchargesWellness at Michaels
Good health improves virtually every aspect of our personal and professional lives, and that’s good for you and for Michaels. Our wellness programs focus on more than just your physical health: they challenge you to be mentally, emotionally, and financially healthy, too. Whether your goal is to lose weight, be more proactive with your health, eat healthier, or save more, we’ve got you covered.
Benefits Plan Year: The plan year for Michaels benefits coverage begins on July 1 and ends on June 30, regardless of when you are hired.
Wellness Exam Surcharge
Team Members and their spouse/domestic partner enrolled in a Michaels full-time medical plan are subject to an annual preventative wellness requirement, with the potential to waive wellness surcharges and lower annual premium costs.
Completing an annual physical exam during the current plan year will satisfy the wellness requirement and waive the surcharge for the next plan year.
Surcharge Rate
If you and your spouse/domestic partner do not satisfy the wellness requirement, you will pay a surcharge of $30 per person, per paycheck, totaling $780 per person for the 2024-2025 benefits plan year and the 2025-2026 benefits plan year. This fee is paid via a payroll deduction from each paycheck.
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How to Have Your Wellness Surcharge Waived
To satisfy the wellness requirement, you (and if applicable, your spouse or domestic partner) must:*
First, complete a physical exam between July 1 and June 30 in one of two ways:
- Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician (PCP).
- Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) members can use the Catapult Health VirtualCheckup® Home Kit – the cost is 100% covered by Michaels! For more details, refer to the section below.
Then, submit your proof of exam documentation to insurance to waive your surcharge for the following plan year.
*If you were hired July 1 or later in the current plan year, please refer to the next section for information about one-time exceptions for new hires.
Example: You complete your annual physical exam on Aug. 2, 2024 and submit proof of your exam to insurance on Jan. 12, 2025, satisfying the wellness requirement. As a result, your surcharge is waived for the next plan year that goes from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, lowering your annual premium cost for that plan year.
| 2024-2025 Plan Year | 2025-2026 Plan Year | |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 | July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 | |
| Aug. 2, 2024 | Jan. 12, 2025 | Surcharge Waived (No wellness surcharge on next year's premium) |
| Annual Physical Exam | Submit Proof of Exam to Insurance | |
Exceptions for New Hires
There are exceptions to the wellness requirement for Team Members who begin their employment with Michaels after the current benefits plan year has already begun.
For new hires, benefits are effective the first day of the month following the Team Member’s date of hire.
For a Benefit Effective Date of March 2, 2024 or Later
- You are exempt from the wellness requirement for the current plan year (through June 30) and for the upcoming plan year (from July 1 through June 30), and this surcharge will automatically be waived.
- The above also applies to your spouse or domestic partner, if enrolled as your dependent.
Example: If your hire date was Feb. 15, 2024, your benefits will be effective on April 1, 2024, and you (and if applicable, your spouse or domestic partner) will not be required to satisfy the wellness requirement.
No-Cost VirtualCheckup® for BCBSTX Members
If you are enrolled in a BCBSTX medical plan, Michaels provides a convenient annual checkup at no cost to you using the Catapult Health VirtualCheckup® Home Kit. Getting a FREE preventive health checkup has never been easier, and a Catapult virtual exam counts toward your wellness requirement!
All covered employees and their spouse or domestic partner can register for a Home Kit. The cost of your VirtualCheckup® is covered 100% by Michaels.
Once you complete your Home Kit, you will review your results with a board-certified Nurse Practitioner via a virtual consultation and develop a personal action plan.
Additional Information
Next Steps for BCBSTX Members
Your wellness exam claim will automatically be processed by BCBSTX after your appointment. Once processed, your exam completion status will be reflected in the Well onTarget section of the BlueAccess for Members portal. In the portal, you can also access other historical data about your participation in the available wellness programs.
If you have any questions regarding wellness completion within the BCBSTX portal, please contact BCBSTX customer service at 1-877-269-1180.
Refer to the job aid below for instructions on how to log in to the BlueAccess for Members portal to confirm the status of your wellness requirement.
Job Aid: How to Confirm the Status of Your Wellness Requirement – Desktop | Mobile App
Next Steps for Kaiser Members
Once you have scheduled your wellness exam with your primary care physician (PCP), log in to the US Wellness portal to download/print the Physician Form and take it to your appointment.
After your appointment, upload the completed Physician Form to the US Wellness portal by June 30. You can upload the form using your desktop, tablet, or mobile device. Receipt of your form will be confirmed within two (2) business days to the email address provided at the time of upload.
Refer to the job aid below for instructions on how to download/print your Physician Form and upload your completed document in the US Wellness portal to complete your wellness requirement.
Job Aid: How to Download/Print the Physician Form & Complete Your Wellness Requirement
For assistance with this process, email US Wellness at support@uswellness.com or call 888-926-6099 ext. 900.
For information regarding the tobacco fee, please visit this link: Tobacco Fee & Cessation Program.
Important Note
If you think you might not be able to meet a wellness or tobacco-use standard, resulting in a surcharge being added to your annual medical premium, you may qualify through other means. For further assistance, please call 1-855-432-MIKE (6453) and we will work with you – and if you wish, with your doctor – to find a reasonable alternative.
What is Supportiv?
Program Information & Resources
Through the Michaels Employee Assistance Program (EAP), you have unlimited access to Supportiv, an online peer support service that can help you cope with stress, work, family issues, loneliness, anxiety, parenting, motivation, and more.
Supportiv is an online tool that lets you talk through any mental health, emotional, or social struggles in small group chats with people who can relate. Discussions are anonymous and are guided and safeguarded in real time by professional facilitators. Supportiv is anonymous and available 24/7.
Supportiv is available to all Michaels Team Members and their household members.
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Get Started with Supportiv
Supportiv is free to use at your convenience, there’s no need to enter any personal information, and you’ll be live chatting in about 30 seconds.
- Visit Supportiv and select the “Chat Now” button.
- Submit your question or challenge.
- Get matched with peers to chat with, and receive guidance and hyper-targeted recommendations from a professional facilitator.
In the event of an emergency, please call 911. Additional crisis and emergency resources can be found by visiting the following link: Emergency Resources.
Video Introduction
The video below offers a one-minute demonstration of how Supportiv works.
401(k) Plan
Your Guide to the Michaels 401(k) Retirement Plan with Voya FinancialConfirm Your Mailing Address in Workday
Make sure your mailing address is up-to-date in Workday so that you don’t miss any upcoming mailings about the Voya 401(k) plan transition. You will receive a PIN in the mail that you’ll be required to have in order to register and access your Voya account.
Saving for Your Retirement
Today, becoming financially prepared for your retirement is more important than ever. We partner with Voya Financial® to bring you an enhanced experience for the Michaels Stores, Inc. Employees 401(k) Plan, previously administered by Vanguard.
Account Access & Support
Visit the Plan website to enroll in the plan, make changes to your account, and obtain forms or information.
- You will always need your PIN to speak with a Voya customer service associate about your account, to make a transaction, and/or to make automated transactions.
- You can make automated transactions 24 hours a day.
Plan Overview
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Eligibility Requirements
- Full-time team members who are 21 years of age and over are eligible to participate on their first day of employment.
- Part-time team members who are 21 years of age and over are eligible to participate after they have completed 500 hours of service.
Contribution Limits
You may contribute up to 80% of your eligible compensation* on a pre-tax, Roth, or after-tax basis. Please note: your after-tax contribution may not exceed 10% of your eligible compensation and your total contribution may not exceed 80%. If you are age 50 or older in the calendar year and you have reached the IRS contribution limit, your contributions will “spillover” for additional catch-up contributions up to the annual IRS annual limit*.
Voluntary Rate Escalator
Increasing your contributions on a regular basis may help you reach your savings goals faster. The Contribution Rate Escalator can automatically increase your contributions on a schedule you select. You can choose the increase percentage and how often it takes effect. You can change the settings or turn off rate escalation at any time.
Employer Match
Michaels Stores will match 100% up to the first 3% plus 50% on the next 2% of your eligible compensation. This contribution is an employer matching contribution.
- Please note that Michaels provides a true-up match in case you meet your IRS contribution early in the year.
- Full-time team members are eligible for the match after completing three months of service.
Note: After-tax contributions are NOT eligible to receive the company match.
Vesting & Rollovers
Vesting
To be vested is to own the money in your account. You’re 100% vested in your own contributions, employer matching contributions, rollover contributions, and any investment earnings on those contributions.
Rollovers
Balances from eligible retirement savings plans, such as a previous employer’s plan, may be rolled into your Plan account. Consolidating multiple retirement accounts may make it easier to manage your savings because your money is all in one place. Go the Plan website to download a Rollover-in form.
Investment Options & Advice
Investment Options
The Plan offers a range of Target Date Funds and Individual Core Funds. You can elect to invest in any fund or combination of funds, your choices should be made in increments of 1% and the total equals 100%. You may change your investment options at any time.
Investment Advice
Investment advice is offered through Voya Retirement Advisors** (VRA), powered by Edelman Financial Engines®. With VRA, you can receive investment advice by speaking to a VRA Investment Advisor Representative, using Online Advice, or enrolling in Professional Management.
Automatic Account Rebalancing
The value of your funds may go up and down over time which can cause your asset allocation to change, that is, your percentage in stocks, bonds, and cash. This could affect your investment objectives and risk level. Automatic rebalancing can help to maintain your preferred asset allocation percentages.
You can set your account to automatically rebalance quarterly, semi-annually, annually or on a one-time basis. If you manually change your investment elections or move money from one fund to another, automatic rebalancing will stop, and you will need to reset it to continue to have your account rebalanced. You can start, stop, or change the frequency of automatic rebalancing at any time.
Conversions
This plan offers in-plan Roth conversion. However, you must call Voya to make this election.
For assistance with electing in-plan Roth conversion, call Voya at 833-39M-401K (833-396-4015). Voya customer service associates are available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, except on stock market holidays. Spanish-speaking associates are also available.
Transition from Vanguard
For Team Members who had a 401(k) plan administered by Vanguard, your account details – including your investments, contribution elections, beneficiaries and loans – were automatically transitioned to Voya. You will have access to your historical plan information at vanguard.com for two (2) years following the transition: for assistance with this information, call Vanguard at 800‑523‑1188.
Voya 401(k) Trainings
- Dive into asset classes, sub asset classes and risk
- In Retirement
- Understanding loans and withdrawals
- Nearing Retirement Series: Getting Started
All Team Members can access the Voya trainings regardless of their 401(k) participation status.
More Resources
Voya Retire App
Download the Voya Retire app to access a simplified version of the website.
Need Help?
If you need assistance, call Voya at 833-39M-401K (833-396-4015). Voya customer service associates are available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, except on stock market holidays. Spanish-speaking associates are also available.
*Contributions are subject to annual IRS limits. Visit voyadelivers.com/IRSlimits for current limits.
**Advisory Services provided by Voya Retirement Advisors, LLC (VRA). VRA is a member of the Voya Financial (Voya) family of companies. For more information, please read the Voya Retirement Advisors Disclosure Statement, Advisory Services Agreement, and your plan’s Fact Sheet. These documents may be viewed online by accessing the advisory services link(s) through your plan’s website. You may also request these from a VRA Investment Advisor Representative by calling your plan’s information line. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. (FEA) acts as a sub advisor for Voya Retirement Advisors, LLC. Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C. (FEA) is a federally registered investment advisor. Neither VRA nor FEA provides tax or legal advice. If you need tax advice, consult your accountant or if you need legal advice consult your lawyer. Future results are not guaranteed by VRA, FEA or any other party and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Edelman Financial Engines® is a registered trademark of Edelman Financial Engines, LLC. All other marks are the exclusive property of their respective owners. FEA and Edelman Financial Engines, L.L.C. are not members of the Voya family of companies. ©2024 Edelman Financial Engines, LLC. Used with permission.
Nothing in this communication should be construed as constituting financial or tax advice. You are encouraged to consult with your personal financial planner and/or tax advisor.
Plan administrative services are provided by Voya Institutional Plan Services, LLC (VIPS). VIPS is a member of the Voya® family of companies.
This is a brief, non-technical description of certain provisions of the Plan. It is not intended to be a complete statement. If a description in this summary differs from the Plan documents, the Plan documents prevail. For additional information regarding the Plan, please refer to the Summary Plan Description (SPD).