University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

Benefit Enrollment and Change Period Begins October 8, 2012

There are important changes to benefits for 2013 that may require you to take action during the Benefit Enrollment and Change Period.

The Annual Benefit Enrollment and Change Period begins on October 8th and ends on November 2, 2012 for most plans. The My UW System portal will also have personalized benefit enrollment and change information available in early October. Please review the UW System Benefit Enrollment and Change Period Website for details.

This is the only time during the year when employees are eligible to make benefit plan changes unless they have a life event (marriage, birth, divorce, etc.) that allows them to add or change benefits.

All benefit enrollments and changes made during this period will be effective January 1, 2013.

During the It’s Your Choice Open Enrollment period eligible employees may elect to:

  • Enroll for coverage if currently uninsured.
  • Change health plans.
  • Change from single to family or family to single coverage without restrictions. (Enroll or disenroll adult dependents (spouses or child(ren) of married adult dependents are not eligible to be covered) or domestic partner and domestic partner’s child(ren) from your family policy for the following year.)
This fall the It’s Your Choice booklets are available to employees electronically. Simply click on http://etf.wi.gov/publications/iyc-2013/et-2107d.pdf to view the It’s Your Choice: 2013 Decision Guide or on http://etf.wi.gov/publications/iyc-2013/et-2107r.pdf to review the It’s Your Choice: 2013 Reference Guide. If you wish to review or obtain a paper copy of the booklets, please contact the Benefits office in Engelmann Hall 125


IMPORTANT CHANGES TO YOUR BENEFITS FOR 2013

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Contributions Effective January 1, 2013


Employee-Required Contribution –
6.65% General, Teachers and Educational Support Personnel – (increased .75%)

Employer-Required Contributions –
6.65% General, Teachers and Educational Support Personnel – (increased .75%)
There are many complex factors that affect WRS contribution rates, such as investment performance, legislative adjustments to benefit levels, demographics, etc. It is important to remember, WRS assets are smoothed over a course of five years to prevent large swings in WRS contribution rates. For more information, please see: http://etf.wi.gov/news/ht-2013contributions.htm 


Insurance Plan Rates Effective January 1, 2013


2013 Employee Mothly Premiums 

UW System State Group Health Monthly Employee Premium for 2013

Employees covered by WRS

Non-WRS Employees covered by Graduate Assistant/Short-Term Academic

Single

Family

Single

Family

Tier 1
(all plans not listed in Tier 3)

$85.00

$211.00

$42.50

$105.50

Tier 2
(Standard Plan – required to work out of state)

$124.00

$312.00

$62.00

$156.00

Tier 3
(Standard Plan, WPS Metro Choice SE, Anthem Blue NW)

$230.00

$575.00

$115.00

$287.50


Premiums listed do not apply to those who are required to pay less than half-time rates or total cost.

Dental and Vision Monthly
Premiums for 2013

Employee

Employee +
Spouse/DP

Employee
Child(ren)*

Family

Dental WI Select

$20.52

$42.19

$48.68

$71.59

Dental WI PPO

$28.32

$59.96

$67.04

$101.34

EPIC Benefits+ Without Vision

$19.77

$39.54

$39.54*

$59.31

EPIC Benefits+ With Vision

$24.02

$47.04

$47.04*

$70.34

VSP

$5.24

$10.49

$11.23

$17.93


*EPIC Benefits+ coverage is “Employee + Child”

By way of comparison, the Tier 1 single and family rates for 2012 for employees covered by WRS are $81 and $201, respectively, the Tier 1 single and family rates for 2012 for Non-WRS employees are $40.50 and $100.50, respectively.
 

UW Contribution for Sick Leave Conversion Funding Increases


The amount the UW pays on behalf of the employee to fund the sick leave conversion credit program will increase from 1.2% to 1.3% of WRS-covered salary.


Important Plan and Program Changes

Coverage for Specialty Prescription Drugs
All Plans

Specialty drugs from Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy for specialty medications are payable at:

  • $15 for formulary drugs to a separate $1,000 individual/$2,000 family out-of-pocket limit.
  • $50 for non-formulary specialty drugs with no out-of- pocket limit.

Specialty drugs from another network pharmacy are payable at:

  • $50 for formulary drugs to a separate $1,000 individual/$2,000 family out-of-pocket limit.
  • $50 for non-formulary specialty drugs with no out-of- pocket limit.

See the Uniform Benefits Schedule of Benefits in the It’s Your Choice: Reference Guide or contact Navitus Health Solutions for more information.

Health RiskAssessments (HRAs) and Biometric Screenings

HRAs are a great tool to help you understand and potentially improve your health. Every health plan will have one available, including biometric screenings. All plans offer incentives for completing them. Contact your plan for more information.

New Prior Authorization Requirements

Prior authorization will be required for high-tech radiology (for example: MRI, PET and CT scans) and low back surgeries. Contact your health plan for more information

 


For more information, please visit http://etf.wi.gov/publications/IYC-2013/2013state-rates.htm.

Attend the UWM Benefits & Wellness Fair on October 3, 2012 from 10:00 am until 3:30 pm in the Student Union - Wisconsin Room.