Changes ahead in employee benefits plan

With Open Enrollment just around the corner, the human resources office announces changes in the employee benefits plan.

The cost of health insurance will go up for all but the individual coverage, which is still provided at no charge to the employee who insures only himself or herself. Increases range from minor to substantial, depending on the medical plan.

For those who choose the U. T. Select plan, Blue Cross/Blue Shield will be the new plan administrator. The Prudential HMO and the United Health Care Point-of-Service (POS) plans will no longer be offered. Instead, employees can choose between the Humana HMO and the Texas Universities Health Plan (TUHP) HMO. The TUHP plan has changed from the POS to an HMO. Unlike a POS plan, an HMO does not provide for out-of-network coverage.

Merck-Medco will remain the prescription plan for those on the U. T. Select plan. AdvancePCS Prescription Services will administer prescriptions for those who choose the Humana HMO. Express Scripts will administer prescriptions for those who choose the TUHP HMO.

Dental coverage remains optional. Employees can choose between Delta Standard or United Dental Care of Texas. Superior Vision is still the vision plan. Cigna Life will remain the life insurance and personal accident plan, while CNA will remain the carrier for the long-term disability plan. One other new option is a long-term care plan administered by CNA.

Tony Ramirez, director of human resources, said that every employee can expect to receive an insurance packet containing important information about the benefit plans, out-of-pocket costs for each plan, an enrollment information booklet and provider directories. These soon will be mailed to the employee's work location.

In addition, human resources will hold a benefits fair for employees from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 11 and 12. Another benefits fair for retirees is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon July 25. Both fairs will take place in the auditorium foyer. Representatives from the various insurance providers, as well as university human resources staff, will be on hand to answer questions.

"We want to educate employees about the differences between all available health plans so they can make informed decisions about which plan to choose," Ramirez said. "It is very important that each employee carefully consider his own health needs and those of his family."

The Open Enrollment period is from July 1 through 31. During this time, employees can make changes to their benefits plans such as adding coverage for dependents or switching to a different insurance plan.

Employees can find detailed instructions on how to use the U. T. Touch Online system at https://dpweb1.dp.utexas.edu/nlogon/sgwww/UTTOUCH/ . Choose the "How to View or Elect Future Benefits" button.

Changes can be made via the U. T. Touch System. To access the system, call 1-800-UT-TOUCH or log on to the human resources Web page at www.uthscsa.edu/hr. Employees can hear or view their current benefits and make changes directly from their phones or personal computers 24 hours a day, seven days a week until midnight July 31 when the Open Enrollment period ends. Employees should have their personal identification numbers (PIN) ready. Employees will receive a coverage letter at home. This letter will contain their PIN and current benefits selections.

For those who do not have access to computers, the human resources office will make available four PCs in the office lobby, room 114 of the Administration Building, during regular business hours in July. Human resources staff will be available to guide users through the U. T. Touch Online System.

Employees may need to fill out an Evidence of Insurability form, which is required if an employee wants to add a dependent to his or her current coverage or make other changes. The deadline for completing the form is June 29.

The charts below compare the out-of-pocket costs for the new and current years.

Monthly out-of-pocket cost comparison

EMPLOYEE ONLY

FY 2002 UT Select $0.00 Humana HMO  0.00 TUHP HMO  0.00 United Dental 10.73 Delta Standard 26.41 Superior Vision  7.22

FY 2001 UT Select $0.00 TUHP HMO  0.00 Prudential HMO  0.00 United Health Care POS  0.00 United Dental 10.73 Delta Standard 24.45 Superior Vision  7.22

EMPLOYEE AND SPOUSE

FY 2002 UT Select $110.80 Humana HMO    87.77 TUHP HMO    78.63 United Dental    19.94 Delta Standard    50.14 Superior Vision    11.20

FY 2001 UT Select $86.69 TUHP  78.68 Prudential HMO  33.99 United Health Care POS  83.35 United Dental  19.94 Delta Standard  46.43 Superior Vision  11.20

EMPLOYEE AND CHILDREN

FY 2002 UT Select $115.89 Humana HMO    91.81 TUHP HMO    82.24 United Dental    26.20 Delta Standard    55.27 Superior Vision    11.46

FY 2001 UT Select $90.59 TUHP  82.51 Prudential HMO  26.92 United Health Care POS  84.84 United Dental  26.20 Delta Standard  51.18 Superior Vision  11.46

EMPLOYEE AND FAMILY

FY 2002 UT Select $218.21 Humana HMO   172.87 TUHP HMO  154.85 United Dental    31.50 Delta Standard    78.59 Superior Vision    18.48

FY 2001 UT Select $170.63 TUHP  136.51 Prudential HMO   56.81 United Health Care POS  154.27 United Dental  31.50 Delta Standard  72.77 Superior Vision  18.48