Annual Enrollment begins Oct. 3rd and ends Nov. 4th
The Benefits Office is pleased to announce
that Annual Enrollment is online again this year! Beginning
October 3, 2005, you’ll be able to review and/or print your
Benefits Summary that showcases your current benefit elections
and an overview of benefits available to you. As for the
changes or new enrollments made during this annual enrollment
period, the new premium amounts will be deducted in January
for the Pre-tax plans and in December for the Post-tax plans.
The benefits on both types of plans will become effective
January 1, 2006.
Here’s what’s changing:
Premiums will remain the same for plans
in the NCFlex (Pre-tax) program;
The annual contribution maximum for the
Health Care Spending Account is increasing to $4,200.00
(allows you to contribute an additional
$600.00 a year on a pretax basis);
There will be a 15% rate reduction on
the Liberty Mutual Long-Term Disability Plan. For those participating in the plan, your new premium amount will reflect
in your December paycheck;
There will be a 14% rate reduction on
the MetLife Voluntary Term Life Insurance Plan. For
those participating in the plan, your new premium amount
will reflect in your December paycheck; and
Hyatt Legal Plan rates will increase
only by $1.00 from $8.00 to $9.00. While we have managed to keep the rates the same for many years, rising
attorney fees and of course, increased utilization is the
cause for the slight jump in the premium. For those participating
in the plan, your new premium amount will reflect in your
December paycheck.
The following plans are included in annual
enrollment this year:
Health Care Flexible Spending Account
NCFlex Term Life Insurance*
Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account
Vision Care
Plan
Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment
(AD&D)
Dental Plan
Supplemental Medical
Cancer Insurance
MetLife Voluntary Term Life Insurance*
Hyatt Legal Plan
Liberty Mutual Long-term Disability
*Comparison of the NCFlex Term Life and MetLife Term
Life insurance plans
The
SHP Releases New Rates and Announces Approval to Move Forward
with
Implementing
an Optional Health Insurance Program
During the State Health Plan (SHP) annual
enrollment period, now thru September 30th, you have the
opportunity to add, cancel, or make changes to your coverage.
Just complete the SHP’s Change Form and forward to our office.
This form may be obtained from the University Benefits office
[919/515-2151] or accessed on online at http://statehealthplan.state.nc.us/forms/change.pdf.
You will soon receive detailed information from the State
Health Plan’s (SHP) office regarding updates and changes
to the plan.
Premium rates for the State Health Plan will increase by 12% effective
October 1st. The new rates will be reflective in September's
payroll since the premiums for this plan are deducted one
month in advance. While the deductible remained the same,
please note there were also changes made to the maximum
out of expenses and the prescription drug co-pays for brand
drugs. The attached chart highlights the changes for your
review.
2005-2006 Contribution Rates:
|
|
Current Monthly Employee Rates |
Current Monthly Employer Rates |
Current Monthly Total Rates |
New Employee Monthly Rates |
New Employer Monthly Rates |
New Total Monthly Rates |
|
Employee Only |
$0.00 |
$285.92 |
$285.92 |
$0.00 |
$321.14 |
$321.14 |
|
Employee/Child/Children |
$178.22 |
$285.92 |
$464.14 |
$200.18 |
$321.14 |
$521.32 |
|
Employee/Family |
$427.48 |
$285.92 |
$713.40 |
$480.14 |
$321.14 |
$801.28 |
| Benefit |
FY
2003-2005 |
FY
2005-2007 |
| Deductible
per member per fiscal year remains unchanged. |
$350
per covered individual per year to an aggregate max
of $1050 per employee and children or employee and
family |
$350
per covered individual per year to an aggregate max
of $1050 per employee and children or employee and
family |
| Maximum
Out of Pocket Expenses Per Member Per Fiscal Year |
$1,500 |
$2,000 |
| Maximum
Out of Pocket Expenses Per Family Per Fiscal Year |
$4,500 |
$6,000 |
| Inpatient
Charge Per Member |
$100 |
$150 |
| Outpatient
Charge Per Member when amount exceeds $500 |
$50 |
$75 |
| Emergency
Room Charge Per Member (when admission to
a hospital does not immediately follow) |
$100 |
$200 |
Mammography
Wellness Benefit |
Once every two years for women age 40-49 |
100%
of allowable charges once per year for women age 40
or above. |
| Prescriptions
Branded with generic equivalent
Branded or generic not on formulary
(Note generic prescriptions remain
at $10 per month supply and preferred brand remain
at $25 per month supply)
Change will be effective 08/20/05 |
$35/month
$40/month |
$40/month
$50/month |
Good News! Options under the State Health Insurance Plan may be available as early
as July 2006. The State Health Plan recently received approval
from the General Assembly to introduce an optional health
insurance plan may include an employee/spouse premium level,
a comprehensive wellness program and coverage level options
(possibly buy-up based on your personal needs). This is
all the information we have at this time. We will keep
you informed as more details become available.
Please contact the University Benefits office at 919/515-2151 if you
have additional questions regarding the plan updates for
this coming fiscal year or visit our website at http://www7.acs.ncsu.edu/benefits/health_welfare/health_ins.asp
.
Military Veterans Who Are Retired Military Uniformed Services or Spouse of Active Duty Military
You have the option of using you Military
Health Benefit as Primary Coverage:
If you are eligible for health insurance
coverage under the State of North Carolina Teachers’ and
State Employees’ Comprehensive Major Medical Plan and are
also eligible for TRICARE or CHAMPVA, this is an opportunity
for you and your eligible dependents to enroll in our State
funded TRICARE Supplement Program. The State of NC pays
the premium for you, the employee, to enroll in the Supplement
Program. Coverage is also available for your spouse and
eligible dependent children.
Who is Eligible for TRICARE?
- Retirees of the uniformed services, their spouse, and unmarried
dependent children (21/23 FTS)
- Spouses, surviving spouses and unmarried children (21/23) of active
duty military personnel
- Retired National Guard/Reserve, their spouses and dependents (21/23)
become eligible at age 60
- Former spouses under certain conditions (See DEERS below)
- Spouse and unmarried dependent children on the CHAMPVA program
Contact DEERS (TRICARE database) for confirmation
of eligibility (1-800-538-9552)
The TRICARE Supplement Plan is funded by
the State and provided at no cost to benefit-eligible employees.
Employees pay the cost of coverage for their spouse and
dependent children only. The monthly pre-tax premium rates
are as follows:
Monthly Premium State Pays
Employee Pays
Employee Only $60.50
$60.50 $ 0.00
Employee plus child(ren) $119.50
$60.50 $ 59.00
Employee plus spouse $119.50
$60.50 $ 59.00
Employee and Family $160.50
$60.50 $100.00
Some of the TRICARE Supplement Plan Features include:
Plan Updates