OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT VICE CHANCELLOR -
HUMAN RESOURCES
November 5, 1996
ALL AT UCSD
SUBJECT: Annual Open Enrollment Period
The annual open enrollment period began on November 1, 1996 and extends through midnight, November 24, 1996. During open enrollment, eligible employees may enroll in, or de-enroll from UC sponsored medical, dental, and vision plans. Employees may also enroll in, or de-enroll from the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DepCare), and the Tax Savings on Insurance Premiums (TIP) program. Additionally, DepCare participants may change their rate. Open enrollment is also the time to transfer to a different medical or dental plan, and/or add eligible dependents.
Open enrollment selections must be made through bencom, the interactive telephone system, by calling 1-800-493-4833. Bencom's open enrollment lines are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, beginning November 1, 1996. To access bencom, employees will use their open enrollment access code which is printed on their personal open enrollment data information sheet. Employees hired on, or after, September 19, 1996, will not receive a personalized open enrollment mailing. Employees who do not receive open enrollment material should get an open enrollment informational booklet from their department contact person, and may then use their personalized identification number (PIN) instead of the open enrollment access code to make open enrollment changes.
The campus Benefits Information Day is scheduled for Friday, November 8,1996, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Price Center, Ballroom B. The Benefits Information Day provides an excellent opportunity for employees to confer directly with carrier representatives. Kaiser Permanente Health Plan will offer free flu shots again this year to employees with a valid UCSD identification card. Employees receiving flu shots must complete and sign a Department of Health form, but do not have to be enrolled in Kaiser Permanente. In addition, all campus benefits representatives will be available to answer open enrollment questions.
Some of this year's open enrollment highlights are:
Foundation Plan will be discontinued effective January 1, 1997. Current Foundation Plan members may select another medical plan. Members who do not elect other coverage will automatically be enrolled in UC Care.
All UC-sponsored medical plans (except Foundation), and dental plans will be open for enrollment or transfer.
For 1997 UC's contribution to the medical plan monthly cost has been set so that at least one HMO plan is provided at no cost to employees. The University continues to pay the entire cost for dental and vision plans.
The TakeCare Health Plan and FHP, Inc. merger has been completed. The plan name will change to FHP Health Care effective January 1, 1997.
Prudential High Option Plan premiums will increase again in 1997. Current enrollees should carefully review the comparison announcement notice between UC Care and Prudential High Option. The Health Services Program (HSP) will be discontinued as a supplement to Prudential High Option enrollees.
The percentage that Delta Dental pays for certain covered expenses will increase effective January 1, 1997.
Employees will no longer need to request a pre-authorization form from Vision Service Plan (VSP) prior to seeing a VSP doctor.
After this year's open enrollment, the Legal Expense Plan will not be available for open enrollment every year. There is a rate increase effective January 1, 1997.
If you have any questions regarding the annual open enrollment period, you may contact the Benefits Office, extension 42816.
Rogers Davis
Assistant Vice Chancellor -
Human Resources
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