Important MS ID Card Change Effective January 1, 2021

October 20, 2020

 

Dear Member,

As we all know, 2020 has been an extraordinary year with COVID-19 playing a major role in our day to day lives. Many states are still feeling the effects of lockdowns and restrictions which has affected many people financially with the loss of employment and caused other economic hardships. The MSEO has not been immune to the challenges of this pandemic.

Therefore, on January 1, 2021 we are sad to say the MSEO will no longer be able to continue to offer the MS ID Card at no cost. This was a very difficult decision to make as we have been offering the MS ID Cards since 2016 at no cost to our members.  While we hoped to have this program be fee free indefinitely, current times prevent us from doing so. A recent review of the MS ID Card program shows that we spend $22.46 for every card that we issue.  While we have been able to absorb this cost due to our incredible all volunteer staff and other resources, given the current times we are unable to continue to do so.

Effective January 1, 2021, to help us offset the printing costs of the MS ID Card, the following processing fees will be in effect for MS ID Cards:

Option 1

New and renewal MS ID Card Applicants will be charged a processing fee of $15.00 for their MS ID Card which will be active for two years. During this two-year period, changes may be made to the information that is printed on the MS ID Card (other than a change for photo only) such as emergency contact name/number, physician name/number or allergies, and receive one replacement card with the change(s) with no additional fee. At renewal, if you wish a new MS ID Card, then the processing fee will be $15.00 for another two years with the information change/new card option. If you want to print a new card showing only a new photo, then a $12.00 processing fee will apply. Should you require more than one change and have your MS ID Card reprinted more than once in the two-year period, then a processing fee of $12.00 will apply for any card printed above the one reprint. At renewal you may also opt to change to the No Expiration Date as describe in option 2 below.  Option 1 is the best option if you think or know you will be changing any information printed on your MS ID Card within the two-year period.

Option 2

MS ID Card applicants and renewal applicants may opt to apply for an MS ID Card with No Expiration Date. The processing fee for this MS ID Card will be $12.00.  Should you need to make changes to your MS ID Card information, then there will be a processing fee of $12.00 each time a change is made to information printed on the ID Card and your MS ID Card is reprinted. This fee will also apply if you just want a photo change.

Under both options, we will no longer require that your current MS ID Card be returned to the MSEO before the issue of a new MS ID Card.

With regards to MS ID Card Renewals, any MS ID Card that is renewing on or after January 1, 2021 will be subject to the new processing fee options which you will be able to select. If you have a current MS ID Card with an expiration date of 2021 or later and you need to make a change to your information and have your MS ID Card reprinted, there will be a charge of $12.00 or $15.00 for the reprint depending on the option selected.

MS ID Card Applications in Process and Renewals

If you have a current MS ID Card application pending, you must complete the application process by supplying Proof of MS and a photo and other information as may be requested, and complete the review of your MS ID Card profile no later than December 15th to have your MS ID Card printed on December 30th.  If your current card is expiring on December 30th (you will receive a notice that your MS ID Card is expiring), then you must complete the renewal process by December 12th to have your MS ID Card printed on December 30th. Those applications or renewals that are not completed for the December 30th printing will be subject to the new fee going forward.

New applicants currently in the system who do not complete their profile by December 15th or do not respond to requests for information such as a photo, new photo or proof of MS, will not have their MS ID Card printed on December 30th and will have their profiles deleted on December 31st and they will have to start over again on January 1st, and the processing fees above will apply.

Those with MS ID Cards expiring on December 30th and who do not complete the renewal process, will not automatically receive a new MS ID Card. Upon the expiration date, your current card will be marked as “Expired” in our system. You can reactive your MS ID Card at any time however, a processing fee as outlined above will apply.

New applicants and renewal applicants printing on December 30th who desire to do so, will have the option of obtaining an MS ID Card with No Expiration Date for a processing fee of $12.00 and the rules for option 2 above apply. Option 1 above will also be available. Therefore, if your MS ID Card application is approved or you have a renewal pending, and you desire to take advantage of one of the options prior to January 1st, please send an email to idcard.doc@mymseo.org and let us know you wish to take advantage of one of the options and we will make the appropriate arrangements.  If you do not wish to take advantage of one of the options, then your MS ID Card will be printed and mailed, provided we have all the required information and photo along with your review of your MS ID Card profile.  However, going forward, should you need to make a change in the information printed on your MS ID Card (i.e. emergency contact name/number, physician name/number, or allergies) and require a new ID Card be printed, then there will be a processing fee of $15.00 or $12.00 depending on option selected, to reprint your MS ID Card.

Again, to reiterate, if your MS ID Card is printed fee free on December 30th, going forward, should a change or changes need to be made to the information printed on your MS ID Card (other than a photo), then there will be a processing fee of $15.00 or $12.00 (depending on the option you select) to reprint your MS ID Card.

It is important to note that if you received an MS ID Card under the current system, and require changes to your MS ID Card, that the changes and reprint will no longer be fee free after January 1st. Should a reprint be required, you will have the choice to select option 1 or 2 as outlined above.

Payment for the processing fee for an MS ID Card will only be accepted by credit card and the processing fee must be paid prior to the MS ID Card being printed.

Please note that we have kept our processing fees in line with other MS Organizations who offer MS ID Cards.

Finally, we have received many emails about being able to obtain an MS ID Card for spouses, significant others, and other family members.  In the past, policy was one MS ID Card per member.  A recent change to the policy is that now if you want/need additional MS ID Cards, you may request them at a fee of $12.00 per card. Please note however, if you opt for Option 1 above, and you change your information that requires the printing of a new MS ID Card, you will have just the one card reprinted with no fee required.  Any additional cards that you want reprinted will be reprinted at a fee of $12.00 per card.  If you wish to request additional MS ID Cards, please send an email to idcard.doc@mymseo.org.

While we are disappointed in having to now charge a processing fee for the MS ID Card, current times will no longer allow us to absorb the full cost of producing MS ID Cards.

Should you have any questions regarding these changes, please send an email to member.info@mymseo.org.  

Thank you for your understanding as we like many of you, navigate these difficult times.

Regards,

Wayne