Employee Matters

This column is prepared by staff from the Office of Human Resources. E-mail questions or call 262-5650. For more information, visit Payroll Services and Benefits Services.

Which benefit programs are offering enrollment periods this fall?

• Health Insurance Dual Choice (insured employees only), Oct. 6–24 for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2009.
• Employee Reimbursement Accounts Program (ERA)
• Anthem BCBS (DentalBlue) Dental Insurance
• EPIC Dental and Excess Medical Insurance
• OptumHealth Vision Insurance (formerly Spectera)
• UW Employees Inc. Life Insurance, Oct. 6–Nov. 14 for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2009.

What do I need to know about each program and/or enrollment period?

• Health Insurance Dual Choice: Eligible employees 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 an application is necessary only if a change is desired.
• Employee Reimbursement Accounts Program (ERA): Eligible employees may set aside money in two types of ERA expense reimbursement accounts: medical and dependent care. ERA contributions are taken on a pre-tax basis. Taxes are then calculated on remaining income. If you participated in 2008, coverage is not automatic for 2009. You must enroll every year.
• Anthem BCBS (DentalBlue) Dental Insurance: This is both an open enrollment period and an opportunity for current subscribers to change plans within DentalBlue and/or add dependents. Three plans are available within the dental program. Waiting periods may apply. Employees changing health plans should review their dental coverage to determine if they need to enroll for Anthem coverage or change their current Anthem plan.
• EPIC Dental and Excess Medical Insurance: This is both an open enrollment period and an opportunity for current subscribers to add dependents. This plan provides supplemental dental coverage, excess medical coverage, accidental death and dismemberment benefits and a vision discount program. Those who enroll during open enrollment will have reduced dental benefits for the first two years of coverage.
• OptumHealth Vision Insurance (formerly Spectera): This is both an open enrollment period and an opportunity for current subscribers to add dependents. This plan pays for vision exams, glasses or contact lenses (after co-pays) and offers discounts on refractive eye surgery. Coverage automatically continues from year to year unless you opt to cancel the plan. Employees considering enrollment should review their participation in the ERA program and any vision benefits offered by state group health insurance.
• UW Employees Inc. Life Insurance: This plan is a term life insurance policy. Anyone can enroll in coverage without evidence of insurability. This policy provides an inexpensive way to increase life insurance coverage.

How can I find out more?

• An e-mail will be sent to all eligible employees with a link to materials and enrollment information. Employees who cannot be reached by e-mail will receive hard copy information at their campus address.
• Attend the Employee Benefits and Resource Fair from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Memorial Union.
• Visit Payroll Services and Benefits Services, See What’s New for fall enrollment information, and Employees for general benefit information.