October 23, 2008
You can review your insurance or start a flex plan during Open Enrollment Oct. 27 to Nov. 30
Some costs will rise, of course, but some coverage levels will, too. And premiums for the Uniform Medical Plan — used by 60 percent of UW employees — will actually decrease for 2009.
It’s time to think of such things. Open Enrollment, the period when UW and state employees can make changes to their medical and dental coverage and sign up for Flexible Spending Accounts, runs from Oct. 27 to Nov. 30.
To make these things easier and more personal, there will be benefits fairs on Oct. 28 at UW Medical Center, Oct. 29 at the HUB and Oct. 30 at Harborview Medical Center.
But in these tough economic times, how can an insurance premium decrease? Kathleen Dwyer, director of UW Benefits and WorkLife, said, “In a time when everybody’s waiting for the next thing that’s going to hit their paychecks there’s a lot of good news here for most people. The Health Care Authority is doing a good job of running the plans. They’re doing a great job with large case management and they stay on top of ongoing health care issues.”
So, while the monthly premium for Uniform Medical this year is $28 for individuals and $66 for employees and their spouses, those monthly totals next year will be $26 and $62. Premiums also will decrease slightly for the Southwest Washington-based Kaiser Permanente plans.
For those with Group Health’s “classic” benefit plan, monthly benefits for employee/spouse will increase from $74/$158 to $107/$224. For those in Group Health’s “value” plan, the monthly premium will rise from $20/$50 this year to $25/$60 in 2009. Premiums also will increase for the Aetna Public Employees plan, from $104/$218 to $112/$234.
Rates for optional long-term disability and optional life insurance also are dropping some for 2009.
All the changes you make become effective on Jan. 1, 2009. If you don’t have any changes planned for your medical or dental plans, you don’t need to do anything. But if you have changes to make — including the creation of a pre-tax flexible account — you must act during Open Enrollment.
Some increases are good. For instance, the annual limit of pre-tax money you can put aside for a Flexible Spending Account for medical expenses has been increased from $2,400 to $3,600. Remember when you sign up for this, however, that any money you don’t spend during the plan year will be forfeited.
Also, some medical plans with hearing aid benefits will see coverage limits double, from $400 to $800 every three years.
Dwyer also described new programs through the Uniform Medical Plan that came online Aug. 1, enabling plan members to manage elements of their health care with a confidential online program through a firm called ActiveHealth Management, which complies fully with all federal and state laws regarding patient information.
The program has three elements:
• Informed Care Management: This is a voluntary telephone-based nurse coaching program for plan members who have diabetes, coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure. Nurse coaches will be available to discuss health concerns or answer questions from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 1-888-227-6539 to get started.
• Care Considerations: These are personalized communications that remind you of a potential gap in your care. If such a gap is discovered, you and your physician may receive a letter called a Care Consideration taking note of this. These communications will not affect your benefits or payment of claims in any way.
• The Personal Health Record: This is a confidential online tool you can use to keep track of your medical information, including immunizations, health screenings and family medical history. Only you can create your health record, and it is automatically updated with information from your Uniform Medical Plan claims. To create your health record, visit online at www.activehealthphr.net/hca/.
Representatives of many of the companies that contract with the UW for employee benefits will be on hand at three benefits fairs. These will be:
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, in the UW Medical Center and Health Sciences lobbies.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the HUB East Ballroom.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, in the Harborview Medical Center Research and Training Building lobby.
Dwyer also noted that the cost-sharing for medical plans will remain about the same next year, with the UW paying an average of 88 percent of the true total cost of employee health coverage.
She added, “Compared to many other large employers, our health plans have excellent comprehensive coverage and remain very affordable for both individual and full family coverage. In challenging times, that is some very good news.”
You can learn more at the Benefits & WorkLife Web site, http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/index.html.
