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UC Open Enrollment for Health & Welfare Benefits October 29 to November 24

UC’s annual Open Enrollment is approaching once again. Now is the time 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 healthcare 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, co-pays 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. For more information on how to change your Disability waiting period go to Related Information.

You should receive your Open Enrollment booklet at your home address soon, and full details on your health insurance choices for 2010 are available at the Open Enrollment website in Related Information. 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.

You are encouraged to begin thinking about your current benefits coverage and changes you may want to make by visiting the Open Enrollment website. 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 or the person in your department who handles benefits information.

 

Campus Human Resources, Benefits Services
Phone: (310) 794-0830 | Fax: (310) 794-0835