HealthFlex: What to Know and What to Do
Louisiana Now
Clergy will be invited to make a healthcare plan selection during open enrollment beginning October 29 and ending November 13th. Currently, there are to choose from. Everyone is invited to utilize Wespath's online tool, . Participants can use ALEX to estimate costs and receive a personalized recommendation for their 2026 HealthFlex elections. ALEX will remain available throughout the Annual Election period (October 29 - November 13) and participants can visit as often as they would like. ALEX will give individuals the option to look up actual claims estimates...
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Leading Through the Storm: Bishop William W. Hutchinson & Rev. Don Cottrill
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Bishop William W. Hutchinson and Rev. Don Cottrill reflect on the enormous responsibility of guiding the Louisiana...
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A United Witness:Rev. Shawn Anglim & Margaret Washington
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Born from the merger of two historically separate congregations, First Grace UMC stands as a living example of unity...
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Mapping Hope: Rev. Martha Orphe
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Rev. Martha Orphe played a central role in creating “Mission Zones” to keep ministry alive when congregations were...
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When God Calls: Rev. Kaseem & Sabrina Short
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Katrina became a defining moment for Rev. Kaseem and Sabrina Short, awakening a call to serve in bold new ways. They...
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Three Weeks Later: Rev. Angela Bulhof & Rev. Karl Klaus
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Just three weeks after Katrina, Hurricane Rita struck southwest Louisiana, forcing churches already in relief mode into...
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I Know Who: Dan Bracken
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. As a teenager from Ohio, Dan Bracken’s first mission trip to Louisiana after Katrina changed the trajectory of his...
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Capturing Hope: Rev. Rob Weber & Rev. Drew Sutton
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Rob Weber and Drew Sutton took cameras into the hardest-hit areas after Katrina and Rita, documenting loss and...
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Shepherding in the Storm: Rev. Ellen Alston
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and pastoring from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. Rev. Ellen Alston recounts leading her congregation through the uncertainty of evacuation, the shock of loss, and the...
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Peril to Purpose: Rev. Callie Winn Crawford
Louisiana Now
Welcome to a very special series of the Louisiana NOW podcast, Hope Beyond the Storm. Ten episodes that tell the stories of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in South Louisiana. Twenty years after the storms, the recovery isn’t just history—it’s still shaping lives, churches, and communities across South Louisiana. This series shares first‑hand stories of resilience, hard choices, and holy grit from pastors, lay leaders, volunteers, and neighbors who rebuilt together. After Katrina toppled the steeple of Rayne Memorial UMC into its sanctuary, Rev. Callie Winn Crawford wrestled with both the...
info_outlineClergy will be invited to make a healthcare plan selection during open enrollment beginning October 29 and ending November 13th. Currently, there are six healthcare plans to choose from. Everyone is invited to utilize Wespath's online tool, ALEX. Participants can use ALEX to estimate costs and receive a personalized recommendation for their 2026 HealthFlex elections. ALEX will remain available throughout the Annual Election period (October 29 - November 13) and participants can visit as often as they would like.
ALEX will give individuals the option to look up actual claims estimates using their Blue Cross Blue Shield Member ID and group number. This allows ALEX to make the best recomendations related to your plan selection. Your Member ID and Group number are easily found on your insurance card.
Annual Election is your opportunity to choose or modify your HealthFlex coverage for the coming year. With options for medical, dental and vision coverage, health accounts to help you save for medical expenses and a host of award-winning well-being programs, there's a plan that's right for you.
The best way to learn about your 2026 HealthFlex options and to make your selections is to log into Benefits Access. If you don't have access, you can find many of the same helpful resources below. Learn about your plan options, how to make the best choice for 2026, and where to go for additional information or support.