Changes Effective January 1, 2013
Faculty, Professional & Scientific, and Merit Supervisory/Exempt Staff
Important Information About
Your 2013
Enrollment Selections
If these 3 conditions are met, you do not need to take any action for this year's open enrollment:
-
You do not want to make any changes in your benefits (and you are not currently enrolled in the CHIP II health insurance plan OR the Dental I Insurance plan)
-
You want your annual spending account contributions to remain the same as those in 2012, and,
-
Your Health Care Spending Account annual contribution is less than $2500
At the recommendation of the Funded Retirement and Insurance Committee, the CHIP II health insurance plan is being closed effective 12/31/2012.
Those currently insured under the CHIP II plan need to select the UIChoice plan during open enrollment in order to continue to have health insurance coverage through the University for 2013.
The UIChoice plan:
-
covers the same providers and facilities as CHIP II
-
has coverage that applies anywhere in the United States and is good internationally
- Will most likely decrease overall out-of-pocket expenses for the majority of people who were enrolled in CHIP II
The CHIP II health insurance plan was closed due to declining enrollment and increasing premiums:
-
There were less than 300 active employees enrolled in coverage on this plan – this means claims can have a large impact on costs for the plan.
-
For 2013, CHIP II costs to the University were set to rise to the point that they would have FAR exceeded those of the UIChoice plan.
At the recommendation of the Funded Retirement and Insurance Committee, the Dental I dental insurance plan is being closed effective 12/31/2012.
Those currently insured under the Dental I plan need to select the Dental II plan during open enrollment in order to continue to have dental insurance coverage through the University for 2013.
-
The Dental II plan essentially doubles the coverage of Dental I, with an additional $750 coverage for restorative work and/or orthodontics.
The Dental I plan was closed due to declining enrollment and increasing premiums:
-
Almost 1000 faculty and staff have dropped this plan in the last year.
- The cost to employees for Dental I premiums were set to rise to the point that they would have been approximately the same as the more robust Dental II plan.
Premiums for this insurance decreased substantially (over 10%) for 2013.
Children may now be covered through the end of the year in which they turn 26.
Changes in this insurance must be made during open enrollment or when you have a qualifying event.
Dual University of Iowa employed spouses/partners and any children may not double insure each other or dependents. An individual may only be included once under this policy.
COST INFORMATION
Singles = $2.00 per $100,000 per month
Employee/Spouse =
$2.80 per $100,000 per month
Employee/Children = $2.30 per $100,000 per
month
Family = $3.10 per $100,000 per month
If you are not making any changes, no action on your part is required.
The age limitation of 70 for your spouse or partner has been removed. There are no other changes this year.
You may enroll, change your contribution amount, or cancel your participation in the flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for 2013 during open enrollment.
Due to changes in federal law, the maximum contribution allowed to a health care flexible spending account will be $2500. The dependent care spending account maximums have not changed.
If you want your annual contribution to remain the same as last year, and your HCSA contribution is less than $2500 annually, no action on your part is required. If you wish to change your contribution amount, you must complete your open enrollment event.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the benefit changes effective January 1, 2013, or if you need assistance or have questions during the process of completing the enrollment form online, please e-mail the Benefits Office at benefits@uiowa.edu.
You may also stop by the office at 120-40 University
Services Building,
or call (319) 335-2676; toll free (877) 830-4001
Fax: (319) 335-2776
web site: www.uiowa.edu/hr/benefits/