Annual Benefit Enrollment and Change Period Begins October 4, 2011

There are important changes to your benefits for 2012 that may require you to take action during the Benefit Enrollment and Change Period that begins October 3, 2011 and ends October 28, 2011 for most plans.  All changes made during this period will be effective January 1, 2012.

Detailed information is available on the UW System Benefit Enrollment and Change website www.uwservice.wisc.edu/2012.

As you are researching on the Department of Employee Trust Funds website regarding your health plan options you may find instructions to complete your applications on line. It is an option for other state and local agencies. 

To make a change to your health plan, please complete the application on this link:  http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/et2301.pdf  and drop it off or send by campus mail to Human Resources, Schofield Hall, Room 220, by 4:30 p.m. October 28, 2011.

For more benefit information select our Annual Employee Benefit Newsletter shown below.

 

Health Fair Information

Tuesday, October 11, 2011
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Zorn Arena

The Following Benefit Plans Will Offer Enrollment and/or Change Opportunities October 3 – October 28

• State Group Health Insurance – see the It’s Your Choice Decision and Reference Guides for details:  http://etf.wi.gov/members/benefits_state_health.htm
• Dental Wisconsin Dental Insurance
• EPIC Benefits+ (graduated dental benefits if you enroll during special enrollment)
• VSP Vision Insurance
• Anthem DentalBlue Dental Insurance (change period only)
• UW Employees, Inc. Life Insurance
• Individual and Family Group Life Insurance (annual increase period only – no new enrollments)
• Employee Reimbursement Account (ERA) Program

Important Benefits Changes for 2012

GHC-Eau Claire No Longer Available in Many Counties:   GHC-EC will no longer be available in Barron, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Polk or Rusk counties in 2012.  If you currently carry GHC-EC and receive services in one of the counties listed, you MUST submit an application to change health insurance carriers for 2012.

• WEA Trust Northwest is a new plan that will be available in these counties for 2012.  The WEA Trust network includes both the Marshfield and Mayo Systems network and allows you to see out-of-network providers at a lower benefit rate.  All other health plans that were available in these counties in 2011 will continue to be available in 2012.
• State Group Health Insurance – true open enrollment period (can enroll if not currently enrolled); implementation of 10% coinsurance for non-preventive services (up to an annual maximum)
• Anthem DentalBlue: change period only – no new enrollments allowed for 2012.  Plan will no longer be available in 2013.
• EPIC Benefits+: removed excess medical benefit; added Surgery & Hospital benefit
• Change to Adult Child Eligibility: adult children will be eligible for coverage under health, vision, dental and Benefits+ until the end of the month in which they turn age 26 (they were previously eligible until the end of the month in which they turned 27).
• Employee Reimbursement Account (ERA) program:  the coinsurance that you pay under State Group Health Insurance for eligible services qualifies for reimbursement under the ERA program.
• Change to Coverage End Date:  coverage under all benefit plans, except State Group Life Insurance, will end at the end of the month in which you terminate employment or retire.

Some of the Actions You May Take During the Benefit Enrollment and Change Period Include:

• Change health insurance plans and enroll in health insurance if not currently enrolled.
• Change from single to family health insurance or add additional eligible family members to family health insurance.
• Enroll in plans that have an enrollment opportunity.
• Increase Individual and Family Life Insurance coverage if already enrolled.
  Add or remove vision insurance from EPIC Benefits+ if already enrolled.
• Cancel health, vision, dental or EPIC Benefits+ coverage for 2012.
• Remove eligible dependent children ages 19-25 or a domestic partner from benefit plans.

Do not delay.   All benefit elections must be submitted by 4:30p.m., Friday, October 28, 2011.  Remember, the Benefit Enrollment and Change Period is typically the only time during the year when you are eligible to make benefit plan changes unless you have a life event (marriage, birth, divorce...) that allows you to add or change benefits.

 

Human Resources Home Page
UW-Eau Claire Human Resources, Schofield 220, (715)836-2513