Employee Matters

Which benefit programs are offering enrollment periods this fall?

The annual opportunity to enroll in various benefits plans for 2008 coverage is fast approaching. The following benefits plans will have enrollment opportunities.

• Health Insurance Dual Choice (insured employees): The enrollment period is Oct. 8–26, with coverage effective Jan. 1. An e-mail will be sent to all eligible employees with a link to the “It’s Your Choice” book and the appropriate application. Eligible employees are those who have health insurance coverage in effect on or before Oct. 1. During Dual Choice, employees may change health plans or change from single to family coverage. Completion of the application is necessary only if a change is desired.
• Employee Reimbursement Accounts Program (ERA): The enrollment period is Oct. 8-Nov. 16, with coverage effective Jan. 1. An e-mail will be sent to all eligible employees, with a link to the ERA materials which contain the enrollment procedures.

Note: You can set aside money in ERA accounts to pay for medical and/or dependent care expenses. The money is deducted from your earnings before taxes are calculated. If you participated in 2007, coverage is not automatic for 2008. You must enroll every year.

• OSER and UW Sponsored DentalBlue Dental Insurance: The open enrollment period is Oct. 8–26, with coverage effective Jan. 1. Notification will come via an e-mail announcement from department benefits coordinators. Both plans offer dental coverage beyond any coverage that may be included in your state group health insurance plan. There are three different plans offered by DentalBlue. One of the plans, titled Supplemental, is available to employees who are enrolled in a health plan that offers dental benefits.

Important: Employees changing health plans should review their dental coverage to determine if they need to enroll in a DentalBlue plan or change their DentalBlue plan election.

• Spectera Vision: The enrollment period is Oct. 8–Nov. 16, with coverage effective Jan. 1. Notification will come via an e-mail announcement from department benefits coordinators. The Spectera vision benefit pays for vision exams, glasses, frames and contact lenses (after co-pays) and offers discounts on refractive eye surgery. Employees considering enrollment should review their participation in the ERA program and any vision benefits offered by state group health insurance plans.

How can I find out more about benefits and the fall enrollments?

• Attend the Employee Benefits and Resource Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Memorial Union.
• Visit OHR Payroll and Benefits. Click on “What’s New” for fall enrollment information. Click on “Employees” for general benefit information.