Campus News

Open enrollment for 2012 health, dental benefits will begin Oct. 24

UGA will hold open enrollment Oct. 24-Nov. 18. During that time employees can make changes to health and dental benefits that will take effect Jan. 1.

“The new MyBenefits@UGA enrollment system does not require employees to confirm their current benefits for 2012,” said Lydia Lanier, senior director for employee benefits. “If they want their current benefits to roll over for 2012, they don’t need to do anything, except for flexible spending accounts. If you want to participate in 2012, you must enroll during open enrollment.”

Changes for next year’s health plan include:

The HMO plans will be frozen, meaning that employees not currently on the plans will not be able to sign up for them.

The Consumer Choice option has been eliminated. Participants will be moved to the most similar plan.

For employees on the high deductible plan, match money will be provided, but only in increments matched to the monthly payroll deduction until it reaches $375 for single coverage or $750 for  more-than-single coverage. Those who don’t make contributions via payroll deduction won’t get matching money.

The PPO plan has a new name, Open Access POS. The plan has a slightly different network with 94 percent of providers in the current PPO network.

Rates have increased again. Sample monthly rates include single coverage on the high deductible plan increasing from $27.70 to $43.70, to employee plus spouse on the HMO plan increasing from $260.32 to $273.86 to family coverage on the PPO plan (renamed Open Access POS) increasing from $483.34 to $508.46.

Also for next year, benefits eligibility changes from 20 to 30 hours a week. Employees will be required to work 30 hours a week in a regular position to qualify for health insurance and other voluntary benefits. Leave and retirement will not be affected by this change.

Information sessions for active employees will be held Oct. 27 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel; Oct. 27 from 2-4 p.m. in Rooms K/L of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel; Oct. 31 from 2-4 p.m. in Mahler Auditorium of the Georgia Center; Nov. 1 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in Mahler Auditorium of the Georgia Center; and Nov. 2 from 2-4 p.m. in the Chapel.

For non-Athens locations, online WIMBA sessions will be held Oct. 25 from 2-3:30 p.m. and Oct. 26 from 10-11:30 a.m.   

Sessions for retirees will be held Oct. 28 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in Mahler Auditorium, and Nov. 8 from 2-4 p.m. also in Mahler Auditorium, both in the Georgia Center.