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Human Resources offers opportunities to ask questions about benefits Two new health plans added; Blue Cross 400, HMO Blue Plus eliminated by Skip Anderson Vanderbilt Human Resource Services will soon provide a forum for faculty and staff to ask questions concerning the significant changes to the menu of health insurance options, as well as other benefits, offered by the University. Representatives from Human Resources will host a "Benefits Fair" Sept. 26-27, which precedes "Open Enrollment," an annual, three-week period during which faculty and staff may make changes to many of the benefits offered by the University. The Benefits Fair will feature informational sessions each day, including the two newest health care options, Blue Cross Preferred and Vanderbilt Preferred. During the sessions, representatives from each provider will describe these new health insurance PPO options and will be available to answer questions. Experts will be on hand to address other important changes that have taken place regarding the health plans. For instance, two plans -- HMO Blue Plus and Blue Cross 400 -- are no longer being offered. People with either of these plans must enroll in another health plan. Those who do not will automatically be enrolled in individual coverage under Blue Cross Preferred, the least expensive of the plans offered. United Healthcare, which the University added as an insurance provider last year, will participate in two sessions during the Benefits Fair to explain how "Open Access HMOs Work." Additionally, Human Resources will conduct two workshops to help faculty and staff understand how to "Explore New Options" through Open Enrollment. The monthly cost to faculty and staff members to participate in the respective health insurance plans offered by the University for 2002 varies. Refer to chart for health care rates by plan. Significant changes have also been made to the dental insurance coverage. The University no longer offers Delta Dental insurance. Those who are enrolled in Delta Dental and would like to continue having dental coverage must enroll in another dental plan. Those who do not will not have dental insurance. A new dental plan -- Protective ProThree Plan -- has been added as an option. The increase in premiums in health and dental coverage is due to the rising cost of medical benefits [see "Guest Analysis" below]. "Vanderbilt strives to hold down costs; however, medical trends and claims experience have driven double-digit increases to our plans," said Darlene Lewis, associate vice chancellor for Human Resource Services. "The Vanderbilt benefit choices were carefully selected following aggressive negotiations for comparable and competitive rates. We will continue to evaluate our options in order to provide our faculty and staff with the highest quality, most affordable health care." On average, the University pays 86 percent of the total health care costs to its covered employees, with the faculty or staff member paying the remaining 14 percent. The University has made available the following "tools," as described by Lewis, to help faculty and staff reduce their total health care expenses. Nurseline -- a medical advice service offered through OPTUM is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (877) 843-5071. All employees are eligible regardless of health plan choice. Wellness Profile -- Beginning January 2002, online wellness profiles will be offered to faculty and staff. This allows an ongoing, private evaluation of a person's health status and needs. HealthPlus Activities -- Classes, exercise equipment and fitness experts are available at no charge to faculty and staff. HealthPlus Connection -- This bimonthly newsletter of health tips, information and suggestions is mailed to faculty and staff members' homes. The four companies which offer retirement planning through the University -- Fidelity, Vanguard, TIAA/CREF and Valic -- will participate in the Benefits Fair workshops on estate planning, volatile market management, college savings and more. An Open Enrollment packet was mailed to the homes of each faculty and staff member the week of Sept. 17. Inside each packet is the enrollment form necessary for all faculty and staff to make changes to their benefits. Human Resources officials encourage people to bring their packets to the Benefits Fair HR Workshop, "Exploring Your Options." "This year's Open Enrollment is an important time for Vanderbilt faculty and staff," said Lewis. "Because there will be many benefit changes effective Jan. 1, 2002, this a great time for faculty and staff to explore their options and make the best choice for themselves and their families." As in years past, there will be a drop-off tent in front of the Peabody Administration Building for the last two days of Open Enrollment, Oct. 18-19. Representatives from each health insurance provider will be stationed beneath the tent to answer last-minute questions. Health Care Rates by plan
2001 Benefits Fair Schedule Of Events September 26
September 27
Health/Dental Open Forums Representatives from providers of health and dental insurance will be on hand, along with a Benefit representative, for a series of meetings to be held during the first week of October.
Departmental meetings can be scheduled by calling Tammi Boyd at 322-8303. A Benefits representative and representatives from the health and dental companies will be glad to come to your department anytime between Oct. 1-15. For more information, call or visit the following: * Vanderbilt HR Web site www.vanderbilt.edu/HRS/hrs.htm * Blue Cross Preferred, (800) 442-6712 * Vanderbilt Preferred, (800) 992-8088 * United HealthCare, (800) 842-4194
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