DATE: October 20, 2009
TO: Department Benefits Representatives (DBRs)
FROM: Cynthia Cronk
Director of Human Resources
Human Resources
RE: Open Enrollment Starts 10/29/09
UC's annual Open Enrollment is approaching once again - the time of year
to review your health benefits and decide whether to make any changes in
your coverage.
Open Enrollment begins at 8 a.m., Thursday, October 29, and ends at 5 p.m.
on Tuesday, November 24.
Despite facing rising health insurance costs and historic financial
challenges, the University has maintained benefits at the same levels and
kept employee health care costs as flat as possible. Given the financial
sacrifices many UC employees are already making, it was especially
important to the University to do everything possible to mitigate rising
health care costs and not simply pass on increases to employees.
On average, UC continues to pay 88% of the costs associated with health
care premiums, compared to an average employer subsidy of 80% in California
and 76% for CalPERS. For the lowest-paid workers, the university's
contribution is roughly 96% of the premium costs.
You will be pleased to learn that there are no big changes in benefits or
coverage levels for 2010. And where there are some changes, most will
enhance employee benefits. For instance, copays for generic drugs will
cost a bit less next year, and in some cases, mental health benefits have
been expanded. In addition, the legal plan is open for enrollment this
year.
While the University continues to subsidize plans at the same levels as
last year, premiums for most plans will increase due to spiraling health
care costs - dollar amounts vary depending on the individual plan, your pay
band, and whether you choose coverage for only yourself or your family
members. You can mitigate some increases by enrolling in a Flexible
Spending Account and by increasing your Supplemental Disability waiting
period.
You should receive your Open Enrollment booklet at your home address this
week, and full details on your health insurance choices for 2010 are
available at the Open Enrollment website on At Your Service
(http://atyourservice.ucop.edu).
The site includes information about UC's health and welfare plans,
eligibility for coverage, summaries of plan changes, medical plan costs,
and much more. If you are satisfied with your current coverage, you do
not need to take any action. However, employees wishing to participate
in a Flexible Spending Account must enroll or re-enroll for 2010.
The benefits office will offer several informational workshops during the
Open Enrollment period.
http://hr.ucsb.edu/benefits/pdf/2010_OE_Employee_Flyer.pdf
You are encouraged to begin thinking about your current benefits coverage
and changes you may want to make by visiting the Open Enrollment website
(http://atyourservice.ucop.edu).
However, please note that you will not be able to make changes until 8 a.m.
on Thursday, October 29. Any changes in coverage will be effective
January 1, 2010.
If you have questions or need assistance with your enrollment, please feel
free to contact the benefits office (x2489) or the person in your
department who handles benefits information.
