Take time to review your 2027 Employer Renewal Packet, sent to your ministry via email. Once you’ve reviewed your packet, check out additional information and resources available to support your decision-making by visiting ConcordiaPlans.org/ERelections for:
Employer Guide to Personal Spending Accounts
2027 plan information
Embedded and Non-embedded Deductible flyer
Things to Consider flyer
Healthcare basics for Employers webinar
Employer Benefits Election webinars
Employer Benefits Election webinars provide an overview of updates for 2027, including Concordia Health Plan changes, wellness solutions, personal spending accounts, voluntary benefits and key dates, with time for Q&A . Webinars are offered by plan carrier to help you choose the session most relevant to your ministry.
Employer Benefits Election: Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare AUG. 11 | 1 P.M. CT
Reminder: Your Account Manager is available to answer questions and discuss options with you. Any election changes mist be submitted to Concordia Plan Services by Sept. 18.
Webinar: Healthcare Basics for Employers JULY 8 | 1 P.M. CT
This webinar is a refresher on health plan fundamentals — designed to help you go into renewal conversations with clarity and confidence.
We’ll cover key terminology, how plans work and strategies to help manage costs. Presented by Chris Frederick, Health and Wellness Consultant with Concordia Plan Services.
Make health screenings more accessible for your workers
Encourage workers enrolled in the Concordia Health Plan to take a moment to check in on their health. Preventive screenings can help identify issues early and support long-term well-being.
Offering on-site biometric screenings is one of the most effective ways to increase participation — bringing convenient access directly to your workers and helping more of them complete this important step. For ministries with 30 or more Concordia Health Plan-enrolled members and spouses, Quest can provide on-site screenings at no cost. Register here.
If on-site screenings aren’t part of your plans, workers can still:
Schedule an individual screening through Vitality at a Quest location
Submit a completed biometric screening form from their provider
Check with their local health department for additional options
After a thorough search to replace retiring CEO Jim Sanft, the LCMS Board of Directors has appointed a new leader for Concordia Plan Services — Kevin Herweck. An installation service on May 18 marked this important transition. In this interview, Kevin shares his perspective, priorities and vision for Concordia Plan Services.
When Kevin reflects on his path to becoming CEO, it wasn’t part of his original plan. After joining Concordia Plan Services in 2022, he found deep meaning in the organization’s mission, which ultimately led him to this role. “I love to care for the people who were my mentors when I was young and are my good friends now,” he shared, emphasizing the personal nature of our work supporting ministries and those who serve the Church.
Kevin’s focus today is on maintaining strong, sustainable benefit plans and building on the solid foundation Concordia Plan Services has established. He is also working to improve how the organization supports employers and workers.
He underscored the importance of listening to ministries and understanding their day-to-day realities. That insight helps guide decisions around affordability and meaningful benefits for workers and their families.
“We’re doing everything we can to understand what employers are navigating … so we can meet their needs in the best ways possible,” he said. This approach — combined with the strength of our current Plans — supports long-term stability so ministries can continue providing comprehensive benefits to their workers for years to come.
At the center of his leadership approach is empathy — understanding how decisions impact both ministries and the people they employ. For Kevin, caring goes beyond administering benefits; it’s about walking alongside workers in real moments of need. “This isn’t just an insurance company,” he said. “This is a ministry created to care for those who serve.”
"Do what's right, and the right things are going to happen." — Kevin Herweck
Leadership approach: Empathy and people-centered decision-making
Favorite Bible verse: Romans 12:1-2
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
What motivates him: Caring for those who serve the Church
Fun fact: Helped launch a hockey program for children with disabilities that has grown internationally
Enjoys: Biking, golfing and time with family
Fun detail: Installed as CEO May 18 —the same date as his eight-grade confirmation
Wellness Support at the LCMS Convention
The 69th LCMS Convention, “Christ is Risen Indeed,” will take place July 18-23 in Phoenix, Ariz., bringing together the LCMS community for worship, fellowship and important work.
As part of our commitment to caring for those who serve, Concordia Plan Services will be on-site supporting delegates’ wellness in the Arizona summer heat. We’ll be providing heat relief toolkits and encouraging proper hydration to help attendees stay healthy and comfortable throughout the event.
This reflects our broader commitment to whole-person wellness and our role within the LCMS community — supporting the well-being of those who carry out the Church’s mission.
If you’re attending the Convention, we invite you to stop by and connect with us in person.
We ask God’s blessing on all Convention delegates, exhibitors, guests and staff.
Holiday office closure reminder
Concordia Plan Services will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day.
Your workers can access virtual primary care, mental health, diabetes management, dermatology care and more using their telehealth benefits through the Concordia Health Plan.
Share this with your team:
Pack your virtual health support for summer travels
What takes up no space in your suitcase but brings everything you need to stay healthy? Your telehealth support.
With your telehealth solutions, you have access to virtual medical care, your Employee Assistance Program, Sword Thrive Digital Physical Therapy and Dental SmartScan. Plus, Quantum Health can help you find a local doctor and connect you with the care you need.
Not sure when to use the emergency room versus telehealth?
Your workers have access to a team of Financial Educators at Concordia Plan Services who can guide, educate and assist them with understanding their benefits, planning for retirement or discussing other financial wellness topics. Make sure they know about this valuable resource!
Share this with your team:
As part of your Concordia Plan Services benefits, you have access to a team of Financial Educators who can help you better understand your benefits, plan for retirement or discuss other financial wellness topics. This is a confidential, free service available to all Concordia Plan Services members. Give it a try! Click here for an individual session during their “Meet a Financial Educator” event, July 13-16.
H2O for Your Soul Challenge
Help your workers enrolled in the Concordia Health Plan stay healthy and hydrated this summer — while earning Vitality points.
The goal:
Drink at least 64 ounces of water each day.
Challenge dates:
July 1-31
(Submissions due by Aug. 7)
Submit the tracker through the "H2O for Your Soul" Activity under "Earn Points"
Earn 100 bonus Vitality points
Encouraging simple healthy habits is an easy way to encourage well-being — so your workers can continue to serve well.
Updated Personal Statement of Benefits
Did you know each worker receives a quarterly Personal Statement of Benefits (PSOB) in the Member Portal? It’s a simple way to see the full value of their Concordia Plan Services benefits in one place.
Some benefits — like the pension — can be difficult to appreciate before retirement. The PSOB helps bring that value into focus.
Workers will be reminded in the July “Benefits Connector” email that their updated PSOB will be available at the end of the month. Encourage them to log in to the Member Portal Communication Center to review their statement after July 24.
