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October 12, 2010
ALL ACADEMICS AND STAFF AT UCSD
Dear Colleagues: I am pleased to share with you the University of California's benefits plans and rates for 2011. The Open Enrollment period begins October 25 at 8 a.m. and runs to 5 p.m. on November 23, 2010. In California and across the country, employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have gone up again and are projected to rise significantly, well into the future. Most individuals covered by an employer's group health insurance plan will continue to see double-digit increases in their costs and contributions.
Our key objectives for 2011 were to innovate with regard to plan design
and to control costs while continuing to provide UC's faculty and staff
with high-quality and high-value health and welfare benefits. The
Benefits staff worked hard toward those objectives, and with this year's
offerings more than 53 percent of our workforce will see increases of
less than $10 per month. You can view the 2011 employee rates on the At
Your Service website: Here are some key developments for 2011.
An Additional Health Net Option Again, the standard Health Net HMO is still available, but those who elect the UC/Health Net Blue & Gold HMO custom network can take advantage of physicians and hospitals at lower employee costs. The new plan's network includes 13 of our 20 largest provider groups, including the UC medical centers and medical groups. In all, health care providers for more than 60 percent of our current Health Net members are in the Health Net Blue & Gold HMO network. If Health Net's style of HMO fit your needs in prior years, it would be prudent to take a look at the new Health Net Blue & Gold HMO to see if it's right for you and your family. The list of medical groups participating in the Health Net Blue & Gold network is available here: http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/rd/2011-health-net-bluegold.php and the complete list of providers will be posted on the Health Net website (http://www.healthnet.com/uc) beginning October 15.
A New Anthem Plan Anthem Lumenos is designed for employees who are willing to take a more active role in managing their health care costs and usage. However, this plan also has the potential for high out-of-pocket expenses, so it may not be for everyone.
Health Care Reform In addition, faculty and staff will be able to enroll their adult children, up to age 26, in their UC medical plan. We have added extra value for employees by going further than federal health care reform legislation and expanding coverage of children up to age 26 to include dental, vision, legal, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.
Looking Forward I wish you all the best as you evaluate your choices from this fine set of benefits programs when the Open Enrollment begins on October 25.
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