This year's State Health Insurance Open Enrollment, for changes effective calendar year 2013, will run through Friday, Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m. This is the period of time that employees who are covered by State Health Insurance must visit the Open Enrollment Web Site to:
(1) make new elections in coverage
(2) confirm current dependents
(3) add or delete dependents for coverage
(4) Confirm member status in relation to previous year's Wellness plan
CIGNA and UnitedHealthcare will offer members the choice of either a Standard or Wellness Plan, with the following options:
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), or
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).
Changes in Health Benefits for this year include:
- Elimination of the Spousal Surcharge (tobacco surcharge continues);
- Increased deductibles and co-insurance;
- Increase in co-payments under the HMO Standard Plans
- Change in HRA credits in Standard Plan
- Increase in employee premiums
- Elimination of the $125 HRA credit for annual physical and health assessment.
All of these changes and other features of the Health Benefit Plan can be found at http://dch.georgia.gov/open-enrollment-2013. This website includes links to all insurance companies, the 2013 Decision Guide document, information about PeachCare for Children, and other information to assist you. There is also a video/audio presentation on this website calledActive employees/Early Retireeswhich provides a great deal of information. The process is totally on-line through the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) portal. Employees can visit the portal anytime and as often as needed between Oct. 9 and Nov. 9, but the last election confirmed at the time the Open Enrollment period closes at 4:30 on Nov. 9 will be the employee's election for the 2013 Plan Year. Persons needing assistance in accessing the website can receive it by calling the Business Services Office. Please review the email sent last week for specific rates.
After doing your research on changes and options, and considering the rates as presented above, here is how you can make your 2013 Health Insurance Election:
* Access the Decision Guide on line, review it carefully, and compare the plans and options available to you.
* Visit http://dch.georgia.gov/open-enrollment-2013 as often as you need to through Friday, Nov. 9;
* Verify dependents and add any eligible dependents under age 26;
* Click "Confirm" to finalize your election;
* Print or save your confirmation page;
* A confirmation number will show once the election is processed. Copy and keep this confirmation number;
* The last option, plan and tier you select prior to the end of Open Enrollment at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9 will be your choice for the 2013 coverage year.
During this fall Open Enrollment Period, employees may meet with benefit representatives to review and make changes in the following products:
Short and Long Term Disability Vision
Long Term Care Cancer Policies
Dental PrePaid Legal
Life Insurance Investments
Flexible Spending Accounts for dependent care & health care
Employees needing to visit with Jeff Jeremiah and other benefit providers may do so on the following dates:
Wednesday & Thursday, Oct. 17 & 18, Hubbard Elementary;
Monday, Oct. 22, Hubbard Campus of Monroe County Middle School;
Wednesday & Thursday, Oct. 24 & 25, T.G. Scott Elementary;
Monday, Oct. 29, Transportation Department;
Wednesday, Oct. 31, Banks Stephens Campus of Monroe County Middle School;
Friday, Nov. 2 and Monday, Nov. 5, Mary Persons High School.
There will be sign-up sheets at all the schools. We encourage each of you to make an appointment to review and update yourself with your benefits. This process is helpful for you to understand your benefits.