|
|
|
|
|
UC Davis: Vice Chancellor - Administration October 27, 2003 DEANS, DIRECTORS, DEPARTMENT CHAIRS, AND CAMPUS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS RE: OPEN ENROLLMENT 2003 The Benefits Open Enrollment period, which allows employees the annual opportunity to make certain changes to their group insurance plans, will begin on Saturday, November 1 and will end at midnight (PST) on Sunday, November 30, 2003. During this period, employees may transfer to a different medical and/or dental plan or add eligible family members to their current plans. They may also enroll in or deenroll from UC-sponsored medical, dental, and vision plans, enroll in the new ARAG Legal Plan, as well as enroll in or change participation in the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DepCare), the new Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and the Tax Savings on Insurance Premiums (TIP) program. Employees wishing to make Open Enrollment changes will be required to make those changes online at the http://atyourservice.ucop.edu website (formerly Bencom). This year, there will be no telephone enrollments and paper forms will be eliminated. For employees who do not have access to a computer or who require additional assistance, special computer labs will be open with a Benefits Unit staff member on hand to help. The computer labs, held in the TB 121 Classroom, located behind the Staff Development & Professional Services Building, will be open during the following times: Monday, November 3 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 7 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Monday, November 10 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Thursday, November 13 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 14 10:00 Noon Tuesday, November 18 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Thursday, November 20 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Monday, November 24 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 25 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. For employees who just need access to a computer and do not need assistance from a Benefits staff member, open computer labs are located at 75 Hutchinson Hall, 177 Memorial Union (by the ATMs), 163 Shields Library, and 1101 Hart Hall. All Open Enrollment changes must be made by Sunday, November 30 at 12 midnight (PST) and will be effective January 1, 2004. Benefits Information In mid-October, Open Enrollment announcements were mailed to employees. The announcement, greatly streamlined from years past, included highlights and new premium costs for 2004. If employees wish to make a change, or wish to learn more about Open Enrollment, detailed information is available at the http://atyourservice.ucop.edu website. At the entry page, click on the Open Enrollment icon on the right-hand side of the page. This site includes general Open Enrollment coverage and rate information, as well as descriptions of plan changes for 2004, and instructions for making Open Enrollment changes online. The campus Benefits and Wellness Faire, which will be held on Monday, November 17 at Freeborn Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., is another excellent source of benefits information. It provides a great opportunity to ask questions of plan representatives and to take advantage of the various wellness activities offered. This year's Faire will include special informational presentations by ARAG, the new Legal Plan carrier. Year 2004 Health Plan and Insurance Highlights Here are some highlights of this year's Open Enrollment: *In the face of skyrocketing costs throughout the health care industry, UC has had to make some difficult choices in order to keep costs as low as possible. The University will continue the four-tiered coverage rate structure initiated in 2003, which is designed to align health plan premiums with actual plan utilization and the difference in the cost of care for children and adults. In addition, UC is creating a new progressive medical premium rate structure (based upon full-time salary rates), whereby UC will provide a larger monthly medical plan contribution for those earning less. This structure is designed to help offset increased medical plan premiums for 2004; uniform premium increases would result in a disproportionate burden for those who are lower paid. *Rates for employee-paid Supplemental Life Insurance will be decreased by 26% Rates for employee-paid Supplemental Disability Insurance will be decreased by 30%. *The dental and vision plans will remain fully paid by the University. *A new Group Legal Plan will be available. Specific information on the Legal Plan may be obtained at the ARAG website (http://members.araggroup.com/ucop). *The Adult Dependent Relative benefits eligibility category is frozen effective 01/01/04; no new ADR enrollees will be allowed, but existing ADRs may remain in the insurance plans they are enrolled in. Salary Reduction Programs Employees who wish to continue participation in the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DepCare) or the Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) must re-enroll during the Open Enrollment Period. Eligible employees may also enroll in these pre-tax salary reduction programs for the first time during Open Enrollment. Tax Savings on Insurance Premiums (TIP) allows employees to pay their health plan premiums, if any, on a pretax, salary reduction basis. Participation in TIP is automatic. During Open Enrollment employees may reenroll in or opt out of TIP. For Further Information To provide additional Open Enrollment information to employees, the campus Benefits Office will offer the following on-campus presentations (registration is not required): Tuesday, November 4 10:00 Noon Mee Room, MU Wednesday, November 5 2:00 - 4:00 Mee Room, MU Thursday, November 6 9:00 - 11:00 Mee Room, MU Monday, November 10 8:30 - 10:30 MU II Room, MU Friday, November 14 1:30 - 3:30 Mee Room, MU Wednesday, November 19 9:00 - 11:00 Mee Room, MU Thursday, November 20 9:00 - 11:00 Mee Room, MU Monday, November 24 9:30 - 11:30 MU II Room, MU Tuesday, November 25 2:00 - 4:00 MU II Room, MU Wednesday, November 26 2:30 - 4:30 Mee Room, MU Additional Open Enrollment information may also be obtained by calling Employee Benefits at (530) 752-1774. Dennis Shimek Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Special Advisor to the Chancellor - Human Resources Directive #03-129
 Office of the Chancellor | Contact Information | Current Issues | Speaking Out | Staff and Organization | Philosophy of Purpose | Principles of Community | Administrative Resources Modified: 12/14/2006 12:24:36 PM Comments: |
