Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Four. . . Three. . . Two. . . One. . .
Start by clicking here and submit your Open Enrollment action A.S.A.P.
Open Enrollment for 2010 ends TODAY at 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 24, 2009.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Open Enrollment Ends Tomorrow - Ensure you have confirmed your enrollment
It is important to remember that your changes will not be saved unless you go to “Review & Confirm” and click the “Confirm” button after making your changes. Once you have confirmed your changes you will receive a confirmation number. In addition, an Open Enrollment Confirmation Statement with your confirmation number will be sent to your work email address and your personal email address. Please keep a copy of your confirmation number as a reference in case your Open Enrollment changes are not reflected on the paycheck that you receive at the beginning of January.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Family Member Eligibility
For a complete list of eligible dependents please review the Group Insurance Eligibility Factsheet.
Open Enrollment is a time when you can 'add' eligible family members to your plans. And don’t forget OE ends next Tuesday at 5:00pm - time is running out: tic-toc, tic- toc! To take an OE action go to AYSO today !
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Available Plans for Eligible UC Employees Living Outside California
Anthem Blue Cross PPO
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
A PPO generally offers a broader network of doctors and hospitals than an HMO. This plan model has arrangements with doctors, hospitals, and other providers of care who have agreed to accept lower fees from the plan for their services and participate in the network of physicians. If you need or want health care from outside the network you have access, but you should expect to pay a higher copayment than if the provider were from within the PPO network. http://www.anthem.com/ca/uc/
CORE
Fee-for-Service Plan
This plan allows you to choose the doctor, the hospital, the clinic, or the behavioral health provider and the insurance pays for part or all of the cost according to the schedule laid out in the policy after you have met your plan's deductible. Under this plan, you pay for services up front and submit a claim to the insurance company, and if the service is covered in the policy, you receive reimbursement. http://www.anthem.com/ca/uc/
CIGNA Choice Fund
HRA with PPO
The CIGNA Choice Fund includes a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), funded by UC, which reduces the plan s deductible. The HRA provides coverage for 100% of your eligible medical and prescription drug expenses until the balance is exhausted. If you use up your HRA dollars, the traditional health plan features, which include 100% coverage for in-network preventive care, begin. The CIGNA Choice Fund is available to UC employees in the U.S., except Hawaii. The HRA with PPO is a new plan design. https://my.cigna.com/corp/portal/app/member/public/guest
Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic
Health Maintenance Organizations
This plan is only available for employees living in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia. HMOs give you a list of doctors from which to choose a primary care physician (PCP). A PCP coordinates your care, which means that generally you must contact him or her to be referred to a specialist within your designated medical group. If you belong to an HMO, the plan only covers the cost of charges for services authorized by your PCP. HMOS only provide coverage for services outside of your medical group in cases of emergencies. https://www.kaiserpermanente.org/
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
How can the DepCare FSA save you money?
Your savings are strictly on taxes. DepCare FSA contributions are deducted from your paycheck on a pretax (tax-free) basis—before federal, state, and Social Security (FICA) taxes are taken out. For example, if you earn $3,000 a month and contribute $200 to your DepCare FSA, you pay taxes on $2,800 a month.
Calculate your savings and increased take-home pay with the DepCare Calculator.
Open Enrollment is the period to enroll or re-enroll in an FSA.
To learn more, visit CONEXIS’ pre-enrollment website, read the FAQs and the DepCare SPD or speak to a CONEXIS representative at UC’s Open Enrollment Support line at 1-800-482-4120 (M-F) between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
One more week to make Open Enrollment selections
Only eight more days to enroll or make 2010 Open Enrollment changes to certain benefits options on the website: At Your Service (click on the Open Enrollment box).
Open Enrollment actions include choices such as: add/delete eligible dependents, change medical and dental plans and/or add legal insurance plan this year.
And, most importantly, you must re-enroll in the Health and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA’s) for the 2010 tax year.
This year’s deadline is earlier, Tuesday, November 24, 2009 5 p.m. (PST).
For more information about your UC benefits choices during the Open Enrollment period, go to UCSF Open Enrollment or for other general benefits information: UCSF HR/Benefits
Don’t be late for this important date: 2010 Open Enrollment ends this year at 5 p.m. (PST) on Tuesday, November 24, 2009.
Monday, November 16, 2009
UC's Annual Plan Ratings. . .
The survey results--click here--are based on responses from UC plan members.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Expanded mental health coverage in 2010
http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/open_enrollment/employees/e_ubh.html
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Save Money With Flexible Spending Accounts
An FSA allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible dependent care or health care expenses not covered by your medical, dental, or vision plans. The minimum you can set aside is $180 and the maximum is $5000 annually.
It is important to carefully budget for your annual expenses because the plan guidelines (set by the IRS) have a ‘Use-It or Lose-It’ rule meaning you must spend all funds set aside by the plan year deadline or loose the money.
Also, these plans are only open for enrollment during 'Open Enrollment' and employees already participating in 2009 must re-enroll during Open Enrollment to participate again next year. This year, Open Enrollment ends November 24th at 5:00 p.m.!
For more FSA information including a list of eligible expenses go to the AYS website.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
VSP Discounts for 2010!!!
A Diabetic Eye Care Program, which provides medical eye care services specifically targeted to members with Type 1 diabetes, is being added.
Monday, November 9, 2009
New for 2010 - CIGNA OFFERS ONLINE PHYSICIAN VISITS
For 2010, online physician visits will be added to the CIGNA plans, with members paying 20 percent of visit cost.
For more information: http://www.cigna.com/ or 2010 CIGNA Evidence of Coverage (EOC) booklet
Also, since July 2009, CIGNA has been offering 24/7 access to nurses.
Friday, November 6, 2009
What’s the good news this Open Enrollment?
If you are enrolled in Kaiser or Health Net, the copay will be $5 for a 30-day retail supply and $10 for a 90-day mail-order supply. The copay for Anthem Blue Cross PLUS and Anthem Blue Cross PPO will be $10 for a 30-day supply and $20 for a 90-day mail order supply.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Take Charge of Your Health – Connect with System-wide and Local Resources
UC continues to offer a wide range of wellness resources for 2010.
This includes access to the StayWell Health Management program, which features an annual health assessment, online health resources, interactive tools, and wellness coaching. The StayWell program is available to those enrolled in UC medical plans except Kaiser.
UC Kaiser Permanente members and their family members aged 18 and older may take a free health assessment through Kaiser's HealthWorks program. (No incentive is being offered for participation in the Kaiser Healthworks program in 2010)
Employees represented by some UC unions are not eligible for StayWell because participation has not been agreed to on behalf of their members during the collective bargaining process. (A list of participating bargaining units can be found here.
A key first step in your wellness and making positive lifestyle changes is taking a health assessment — online or on paper. Again in 2010, StayWell will offer an incentive for completing an online or paper health assessment. Employees will receive a $100 gift certificate and spouses/domestic partners a $50 certificate if they complete the health assessment by April 15.
UCSF Wellness Web Portal Launches
Stay abreast of all UCSF wellness news and programs – visit the UCSF Wellness Web Portal often for timely updates.
The UCSF Walking Program Continues to Expand
Enjoy regular neighborhood walks with other UCSF employees and still have time to eat your lunch. Walking is a proven way to get in shape, improve health and relieve stress. All fitness levels are welcome.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00-12:35 pm
Meet at
Wednesdays, 12:00-12:35 pm
Meet at the
220
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:00-12:45 pm
Meet at
(back stairway)
Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:00-12:30 pm
Meet at the courtyard, outside of Lobby 6
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
12:00-12:35 pm
Meet at the main entrance
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:10-12:45 pm
Meet at the
Interested in starting a walking group at your location?
It’s easy! Please e-mail: lauren.cox@ucsf.edu
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Open Enrollment Ends 5 p.m. 11/24/2009
If you're considering making plan changes during Open Enrollment for 2010, or you just want to learn more about your UC-sponsored programs, please feel free to tinker with these online tools. They will increase your understanding of the plans and just might help you in making your decision(s).
Medical Plan Chooser
Dental Plan Chooser
Find a Doctor
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Find More At Your Service
Free legal documents
The monthly rates are:
$10.02 Self
$13.78 Self plus child(ren)$13.78 Self plus adult
$15.03 Self plus adult plus child(ren)
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Oops - Error in Medicare Information in Employee OE Booklet
This is absolutely wrong!
If you continue working at UC past age 65, you are not required to sign up for Medicare Part B. In fact, you may delay enrollment, without penalty and the University does not even provide a Medicare coordinated plan option for employees that have not yet retired.
For more information, see the Medicare Factsheet [PDF] and/or contact Social Security at 800-772-1213. A corrected version of the Open Enrollment booklet is available online.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Open Enrollment Help Desks - Coming Soon to a Location Near You
The Campus and Medical Center Benefits Offices will be teaming up to staff Open Enrollment Help Desks at different campus locations. We will be available to answer questions and provide Open Enrollment information, as well as information on the UCSF Medical Group change to Hill Physicians.
As an extra bonus - on Wednesday November 4th you can stop by the Help Desk and buy fresh produce. We will be located in the ACC Breezeway (Parnassus Campus), the same area as the weekly Farmer's Market.
Please stop by to see us!
The 2009 Help Desk will be staffed from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the following dates and locations:
- Oct. 29: Mount Zion campus, basement level, Outside the Café
- Nov. 2: Laurel Heights, second floor, Outside the View Café
- Nov. 3: Harrison Street, first floor, Conference Room 129H
- Nov. 4: Parnassus campus, Ambulatory Care Center Breezeway
- Nov. 6: Mission Center Building, first floor, Lobby
- Nov. 9: Parnassus campus, 707 Parnassus Ave., School of Dentistry Lobby
- Nov. 9: Parnassus campus, Moffitt-Long Hospital Café
- Nov. 10: San Francisco General Hospital, second floor, Cafeteria (rear section)
- Nov. 13: Mission Bay campus, Community Center Lobby
- Nov. 17: Executive Park, first floor, Conference Room 150
- Nov. 18: 220 Montgomery Street, fifth floor, Board Room
- Nov. 19: China Basin, Lobby 3
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Welcome to our blog: UC Benefits Open Enrollment for 2010 Starts Today
There are a range of materials and resources, as well as on-line planning tools, to provide you with all of the information you need to "make informed choices". Take the time to review these materials and ask your questions.
This blog is another place you can receive timely information, as well as ask questions or make comments. We (UCSF HR/Benefits staff) are here to support you and share resources. We encourage all faculty and staff to post questions and comments to this blog. (Comments will be moderated to ensure no personal information is shared.) Your question or concern is likely shared by many others - please ask.
Please stop by often to check out our new posts (or subscribe to this blog). We will be addressing questions and concerns shared in the comments, in addition to sharing specific benefits information related to Open Enrollment choices. For now, review your Open Enrollment materials, determine your questions, and make your Open Enrollment choices early.