What's Changing?

The University’s benefits program continues to evolve to better meet the needs of faculty/staff and their families as well maintain an overall program that is competitive and economically sustainable. Here’s a brief summary of changes made for 2013.  Please explore these changes in greater depth by reviewing this Open Enrollment website and participating in campus meetings available throughout November:

• We’ve added a new medical plan option which is a Health Savings Account (HSA). We now offer three distinctly different types of medical plans to better meet the broad and diverse needs of faculty and staff.
•  Women’s preventive health services will be covered at 100% regardless of which medical plan you choose.
• Group Health and Premera PPO medical plan premiums have been adjusted for 2013. 2013 is the second year in a three-year program to increase “Employee Only” rates closer to our peers (measured as a percentage of total premium). In 2013, the University will pay on average 90% of the premium for Employee Only coverage. Rates to cover dependents have also been adjusted to be comparable with our peers.
• Cigna Insurance will be your new provider of life, accidental death/dismemberment (AD&D) and long-term disability insurance. Your cost to purchase optional life/AD&D coverage will be reduced by 5% starting in January. You won’t need to re-enroll or provide evidence of good health to keep the same insurance protection you have today.
•  Dental insurance premiums to cover dependents under Washington Dental Service are also slightly lower in 2013, approximately 4% less.
•  The IRS has lowered the amount you can defer to a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account from $5,000 to $2,500. The new HSA plan provides certain powerful tax advantages which you might consider as you evaluate your family’s immediate and long-term healthcare needs.
• The University has contracted with Wellspring Family Services to be your Seattle-based resource and referral service for help in dealing with daily living issues such as child or elder care and financial/legal counseling. The University pays 100% of the cost of Wellspring’s services including access to 3 assessment/counseling sessions per issue.
• Finally – an administrative adjustment to the form you complete to make benefit changes. The 2013 enrollment form is delivered to you as an electronic Microsoft Excel workbook. The workbook will calculate rates and options for you based on personal information you input. Let us know what you think about our modest technological improvement!