2013 Overview

Dear colleagues,

Open enrollment for your 2013 benefits program starts today, November 1 and continues through November 30. Open enrollment is the time of year for you to become reacquainted with your very important insurance coverage and possibly make changes for you and your family.

The University’s benefits program continues to evolve to better meet the needs of faculty/staff as well maintain an overall program that is robust, competitive and economically sustainable. The following list highlights the most important changes for 2013:

We’ve added a new medical plan option which is a Health Savings Account (HSA). The University now offers three distinctly different types of medical plans to better meet the broad and diverse needs of faculty and staff. By selecting the HSA option you have access to Premera’s network of doctors while paying a lower monthly premium in exchange for a high deductible and out-of-pocket plan maximum. What makes the HSA option truly different is the ability to contribute tax-free dollars to a savings account administered by Fidelity. If you enroll in the HSA, the University partners with you by contributing to the Fidelity account on your behalf.

We are all familiar with the continuing discussion of healthcare costs that each year outpace many other services that we consume. As an example of this trend, our expected total premium cost for 2013 will be $10.8 million or 40% higher than five years ago. While cost issues persist, I am pleased to report that the rate of increase has moderated as fewer of the most expensive types of care were experienced under our plans.

Group Health and Premera PPO medical plan premiums have been adjusted for 2013. Recall that last year we began a three-year phased program to increase “Employee Only” rates closer to our peers. 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 more accurately reflect expected benefit usage for spouses or children.
You have multiple available resources to learn more about our 2013 faculty/staff benefits program. The best place to start is on this site. You’re also encouraged to attend a campus healthcare information meeting where you will be able to listen and ask questions of local health plan experts:

• Nov. 1 - Law School Court Room, 11:30 am
• Nov. 7 - Pigott 104 Auditorium, 11:30 am
• Nov. 9 - Law School Room C6, 11:30 am
• Nov. 13 - Pigott 104 Auditorium, 11:30 am
• Nov. 15 - Pigott 104 Auditorium, 11:30 am

Sincerely,

Jerry Huffman
Vice President – Human Resources and University Services