Health plans to undergo key changes

Faced with significant medical inflation and very high claims experience in all health plans, the University is implementing two key changes as part of the fiscal year 2003 health open enrollment.

First, CIGNA HealthCare's HMO and POS plans are being replaced with UnitedHealthcare's HMO and POS plans. And second, an option is being added to the Alliance Blue Cross Excel and Basic plans that allows for the selection of a smaller network of providers (BJC, Unity and Washington University Physician Network included) in exchange for lower premiums.

Open enrollment The health-care benefits open enrollment period is scheduled from May 1-31 and most health benefit changes will be effective July 1. Any enrollment changes to health or dental-only coverage must be made by 5 p.m. May 31.

These changes result in the offering of six health plans and a dental-only plan to eligible University faculty and nonunion staff. The health plans include the package of medical, dental, prescription drug and vision examination coverage.

This new lineup of plans provides both extensive choice and a wide range of premium levels.

In addition to the new plan offerings, there will be changes in the office and emergency room co-pays for the UnitedHealthcare HMO and POS plans, changes in the deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for the Blue Cross Excel plans and changes in the three-tier prescription drug co-pays.

To assist faculty and nonunion staff members with the selection of the appropriate health plan, the human resources office is providing the following sources of information:

• Informational packets will be sent to campus boxes during the week of April 29;

• A special Web site -- hr.wustl.edu/openenrollment -- as been launched;

• Health carriers' week will be held during the week of May 13; and

• Health carriers' customer service departments will be available starting May 1.

Due to the new plan offerings, faculty and staff should be aware of important enrollment guidelines.

If currently enrolled in the CIGNA HMO or POS, employees must choose another health plan. Those CIGNA members who fail to re-enroll in a health plan or return the waiver of health benefits form by the May 31 deadline will be defaulted to the Alliance Basic PPO plan.

If currently enrolled in the Alliance Blue Cross Excel or Basic plans, employees who elect not to enroll in another health plan option will automatically remain in those respective plans.

If currently enrolled in the BJC Dental-only plan, employees who elect not to enroll in a health plan will automatically remain in the BJC Dental plan.

For retired faculty and staff members, a delayed health-care benefits open enrollment period starts July 15 and ends Aug. 15. Most benefit changes will be effective Sept. 1. Informational packets will be sent and meetings will be conducted during the week of July 15.