UUA Health Plan
Open Enrollment Update
November 2008
November is the Open Enrollment Period for the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Health Plan. For the month of November, all eligible staff—all those working 750 or more hours per year—are eligible to join the plan effective January 1, 2009, even if they have not taken advantage of past enrollment opportunities. This is also the time for current members to add dependents not previously covered—those covered by other more expensive, less comprehensive plans, for example. Self-employed community ministers continue to be eligible at 750 hours worked per year in a ministry capacity.
If your congregation is not currently participating in the UUA Health Plan, this is the time to study the possibility and act. Open Enrollment is your primary opportunity to join the UUA Health Plan until 2010.
Highlights
- The average rate increase for 2009 will be zero. Plan experience has been excellent, and Plan Trustees have voted to pass the results on to members. The actual rate adjustment for 2009 will vary by member, from a 5% decrease to a 5% increase.
- From 2007 to 2009, we have raised our rates a total of 4% compared to the roughly 25% increase from commercial insurers over the same period.
- We are moving away from 5-year age bands, which produced some unpleasant rate jumps for people changing age bands last year. We will instead use one-year bands. The changeover produces the -5% to +5% swing this year only. Going forward, everyone will get a small age adjustment, plus whatever change is produced by plan experience and benefit enhancements.
- We have again improved plan benefits, moving to true “mental health parity” and making it easier for parents to keep dependent children on the plan, in many cases to age 26. We have also lowered the deductible on our High Deductible plans without any additional charge.
- An important note on what we are not doing. There has been a lot in the financial news about how companies are struggling with the cost of health benefits, and how a frequently-used strategy is to put more of the burden on employees, especially by increasing deductibles and co-pays and raising out-of-pocket limits. The UUA Health Plan has been able to hold deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket limits steady, expand benefits, and still limit overall rate increases to 4% from 2007 to 2009.
- For currently participating employees, there is nothing special to do to continue coverage for 2009. Current participants will be carried over to 2009 with the same benefits and 2009 rates. Participants are free to change plans (from High Deductible to Standard PPO for example) by notifying the Health Plan Office at healthinsurance @ uua.org. Current participants may add dependents using the online Enrollment Application.
Enrollment is open at any time for new hires, for newly added dependents, for people whose hours have increased so that they meet the 750 hours-per-year threshold, and for people who have lost coverage they had through a spouse or partner.
For Members
Contact the Health Plan Coordinator at healthplan @ uua.org to change or update your name, address, or other personal information.
- Add a dependent by using the New Dependent Enrollment form on the Enrollment Application located in the Related Content box on this page.
- Terminate coverage or remove a dependent by emailing the Health Plan Coordinator at healthplan @ uua.org. Please include the reason for termination and the date of termination in your email.
- The UUA Health Plan Summary Plan Description (SPD) (PDF, 32 pages) is where you can find the most comprehensive plan information.
- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield—for information on products offered, a directory of In-Network providers, and to create your own personalized online account.
Create an online account with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield:
- Gives you instant access to your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) documents and gives you the option to stop receiving paper copies.
- Allows you to manage your account information and order replacement cards in the event yours is lost or stolen.
- Helps you make healthy choices or changes by giving you free access to a number of programs and customized resources.
Employers
Whether you're a current subscribing congregation or organization, or are looking at the UUA Health Plan for the first time, we have a great deal of information and resources to help you.
- Calculate the 2009 premium rates for your employees with the rate calculator.
- Review the highlights of the benefits available with each plan we offer.
- The Employer Subscription Agreement (PDF)—must be on file at UUA Health Plan Office and church/organization office.
- Contact the Health Plan Coordinator at healthplan @ uua.org or Health Plan Director at hp_director @ uua.org.
For more information contact healthinsurance @ uua.org.
Last updated on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.
