NEW FOR 2009

The following changes will take effect on January 1, 2009:

• Employer contributions to healthcare costs will continue to average 88% of total cost. Employee monthly premiums are declining for Uniform Medical Plan and Kaiser Permanente, and increasing for Aetna Employees Plan and Group Health.
• For PEBB medical plans that offer a hearing aid benefit, the maximum coverage will increase to $800 every 36 months. The current 2008 maximum benefit is $400 every 36 months for the Aetna Public Employees Plan and Uniform Medical Plan, and $300 every 36 months for other plans.
• Optional long term disability (LTD) and optional life insurance rates will decrease effective January 1, 2009.
• The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) maximum annual contribution limit will increase from $2,400 to $3,600.
• There are no changes to the dental plans for PEBB employees this year, and the UW continues to pay the full premium for employees and their dependents.
• Medicare-eligible retiree medical premiums will decrease by about one percent.

A summary of all of the approved changes is available online at the Health Care Authority's website.

Benefits Fairs

The annual Benefits Fairs give UW employees the opportunity to explore their healthcare and insurance options. This is especially useful to employees who are thinking of changing their medical or dental coverage for the 2009 plan year. The Fairs will be held on October 28, 29, and 30, 2008. See Benefits Fairs for more details or print this Benefits Fair flyer.

PEBB Materials

The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) provides the following materials to help you make choices:

• For Your Benefit newsletter was recently mailed to employees' homes. View it on the web at www.pebb.hca.wa.gov/documents/empoct2008.pdf
• Open Enrollment video on the web at www.pebb.hca.wa.gov/video.html
• Order an Open Enrollment video to view at staff meetings by calling 1-800-700-1555.
• Web based information at www.pebb.hca.wa.gov/

UNDERSTAND

Benefits-eligible UW employees can make changes to their medical and dental plan choices during the annual open enrollment period, October 27 through November 30. Changes, which will become effective January 1, 2009, may include:

• Eligible employees can reinstate previously waived medical coverage for themselves or their dependents.
• Eligible dependents not previously enrolled can be added without proof of previous coverage.
• Section 125 medical premium deduction election can be changed at this time.

Retirees should check out changes to their plans and rates.

Also note that often rate changes to the employee-paid Long Term Disability and/or Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment are also announced during the medical/dental open enrollment.

Watch for UW Benefits Fairs to learn more about insurance plan options.

When Changing Plans is Necessary

Medical and dental plan benefits and premiums change yearly. Your life circumstances may change, too. Open enrollment is a good time to reevaluate your existing plans and decide whether to make a change. Any time your dependents or circumstances change, you are responsible for making appropriate changes to your benefits enrollment.

You must make changes during the open enrollment period if you want to:

• Choose a different medical and/or dental plan;
  • Note: If you move during the year and your health plan is not available in your new area, you can make changes outside of the open enrollment period as long as you make the change within 60 days of the event.
• Remove dependent(s) from your coverage;
• Note: Dependent child eligibility may change based on the child's birth date within the year.
• Reinstate medical coverage for dependents who were waived in the past;
  • Note: A change of circumstances such as loss of employer-paid coverage for a spouse or same-sex partner may trigger a mid-year opportunity to enroll.
• Add dependent(s), spouse, Qualified Domestic Partner (QDP), or children not previously covered on your plan.
  • Note: A change of circumstances such as this may trigger a mid-year opportunity to enroll.

Note: Under Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB) rules, employees are required to notify the UW of changes in dependent eligibility. Failure to do so may result in loss of premiums and additional benefits rights such as COBRA for dependents.

ACT

How to Make Changes

1. Review your current enrollment in one of two ways:
   1. UW Employee Self-Service (ESS) Log in to ESS with your UW NetID. You can view your current benefits package here, including medical, dental life, long term disability, and retirement. You can also update your home and campus address information.
   2. PEBB Online Inquiry and Enrollment The Public Employees' Benefits Board (PEBB) via the Health Care Authority (HCA) offers E-Coverage to make online open enrollment medical/dental plan changes. E-Coverage is inquiry-only until the first day of open enrollment. UW employees can use this site during Open Enrollment to make changes to a plan or provider.
2. Explore your healthcare and insurance options at one of three UW Benefits Fairs held on October 28, 29, and 30.
3. Review open enrollment notices sent to you by the Health Care Authority.
4. Changing your coverage using E-Coverage online enrollment has its advantages:
   • You can access plan enrollment information at any time.
   • The system provides instant confirmation when you make changes to your coverage. Outside of the open enrollment period, this link is available to verify your coverage only.
   • You may print your work to keep documentation for your records.
   • PEBB will mail confirmation of your enrollment within two to three weeks.

To add your spouse or Qualified Domestic Partner (QDP) to your plan, complete and turn in both the Medical/Dental Enrollment form and the Declaration of Marriage/Qualified Domestic Partnership form. QDPs must also complete the Declaration of Tax Status portion of the Declaration form to ensure the correct additional taxes due, if applicable, are deducted from your pay.

EXPLORE

Running concurrently with medical/dental open enrollment, are two programs that can save you pre-tax dollars: the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP). See how you can save money on a pretax basis by participating in one or both of these programs!

Remember, whether you are a current or new participant, you must re-enroll each year if you wish to participate.

Medical Flexible Spending Accounts

FSA allows you to take untaxed salary and place it in a health care savings account to pay for unreimbursed medical and dental expenses such as co-pays, deductibles and approved services not covered by your insurance plan. Learn more.

Dependent Care Assistance Program

DCAP allows employees to take a deduction from pay for eligible dependent care expenses before taxes are calculated. Learn more.

• uwhr@u.washington.edu |
• HR Contacts

Copyright © 2007 University of Washington