Please read on for some important announcements from Grants, Benefits, and Payroll:
- Donors Choose District Partnership Program
- COVID-19 testing
- IRS Form 1095-C
- W2s
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GRANTS
Donor's Choose District Partnership Program
As outlined in the DMPS Employee Handbook, Donors Choose is the only district-approved crowdfunding platform. Donors Choose is a leader in best practices for crowdfunding by the AASA, NSBA, and ASBO. It provides financial transparency and accountability, privacy and safety, and integrity controls.
We are excited to launch the Donors Choose District Partnership Program, a new and improved partnership strategy to maximize funding for our schools. More than 11,000 public school districts across the nation have been funded through Donors Choose. Yet only 250 of these districts participate in the District Partnership Program, through which approximately 70% of projects are funded. Most of these funders have no connection to the teachers or schools they fund.
More information about this exciting opportunity can be found here.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the DMPS Grants Specialist, Lori Brenno.
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BENEFITS
COVID-19 Testing
DMPS employees enrolled in a DMPS/Wellmark health care plan (and their covered beneficiaries) have multiple options to receive tests for COVID-19. The information below summarizes these options; more information can be found at https://www.wellmark.com/coronavirus.
What tests are covered by Wellmark?
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Community-based testing. Iowa’s program, called Test Iowa, has drive-up locations throughout the state. It includes an online assessment that was developed in coordination with the Iowa Department of Public Health. These programs do not submit health insurance claims and are free of charge.
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Health care provider testing. COVID-19 tests provided through the member’s doctor or hospital will be processed through insurance and covered in full.
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Over-the Counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Can I get an at-home OTC COVID-19 test without paying money up-front?
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The federal government has made four (4) free at-home COVID-19 tests available to each American household. You can request your at-home test at https://www.covidtests.gov/.
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In addition, OTC COVID-19 tests purchased at the pharmacy counter of an in-network pharmacy will not have up-front costs in most situations. However, some local pharmacies are not yet equipped to process point-of-sale claims, which would necessitate submitting a manual claim. Additionally, it may be difficult to find tests available for purchase at local pharmacies at this time.
How do I submit a claim for reimbursement of at-home OTC COVID-19 tests?
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IRS Form 1095-C
In compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Section 6055/6056, Des Moines Public Schools must file Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage. This informational form reports the minimum essential coverage the district provided to individual employees for the 2021 tax year.
The Form 1095-C has information to aid you and the IRS in establishing that your obligation to maintain minimum essential coverage under the Individual Mandate has been met, and you are thereby not subject to penalty. You will use this information when completing your 2021 personal income taxes. You will want to save the 1095-C document with your 2021 tax return, in the event you are audited. If you have questions, please contact Rhonda Wagoner.
Your 2021 Form 1095-C is now available in Benefitfocus. Please print the 1095-C Form from Benefitfocus and keep with your Federal Tax Return. The District will not mail the 1095-C Form to your home address since it is available in Benefitfocus. If you feel your 1095-C form is not correct, please contact Rhonda Wagoner by February 1, 2022.
Directions on accessing and printing your 1095-C form:
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Log into the Benefitfocus portal from the Staff Quick Links page of the DMPS Web site
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On the right side of the page, click View Current Benefits
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On the left side of the page under My Documents, click Tax Documents
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Select Download on the right side of the page for the current tax year
- The downloaded PDF document can be opened and printed to save with your tax return
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W2s
The deadline for the district to issue employee W2s is January 31. W2s have been printed and will be mailed soon for those who have elected USPS delivery. Electronic W2 are available now in Employee Online.
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UPCOMING DEADLINES
January 31 – Deadline for W2s to be issued
February 1 – Board Meeting
February 2 – Bookkeeper check-in (virtual)
February 15 – Board Meeting
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REMINDERS
Contact information for Office of Business & Finance staff:
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It is the policy of the Des Moines Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you believe you have (or your child has) been discriminated against or treated unjustly at school, please contact Carol Wynn-Green, 2100 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321; phone: 515-242-7709; email: carol.wynngreen@dmschools.org.
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