Employee 2009 benefits enrollment runs through Nov. 19
From Human Resources
The 2009 UST annual enrollment for benefits started Monday, Nov. 3, and runs through Wednesday, Nov. 19. This is the one time of the year for benefits-eligible employees to change, add and delete benefits offerings.
Medical Insurance
UST has a self-insured employer plan, which means that UST acts as its own insurance company by paying all of the claims and bearing the risk of the plan. Blue Cross of Minnesota is retained by UST as an administrator and does not pay for any of the claims related to the medical insurance plan.
For the 2009 plan year, medical premiums for UST and plan participants will increase by 10.8 percent. This increase does not take into account a projected $250,000 deficit in the plan and additional plan costs that are paid by UST but not passed on to employees.
Five medical plan options are available to employees in 2009. A new High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) will be available as one of the five choices, with the option to participate in a Health Savings Account (HSA).
HSA funds can be used to pay qualified health expenses, now or in the future. HSA accounts are portable, which means employees keep their HSA account funds if they change jobs or become unemployed. There is no “use-it-or-lose-it” provision. Your money stays in the account until you use it.
Dental Plan Changes
For the first time in four years dental plan premiums will increase. Premium rates will increase by 6.5 percent in 2009.
Vision Plan Changes
EyeMed, a new vendor, will provide a larger provider network and lower premiums.
Pet Insurance
Employees now will have the opportunity to purchase pet insurance at a group discount through VPI, a national provider. This is a voluntary benefit that is not funded by UST.
Information Sessions
To learn more about the UST benefits program, attend one of the following employee meetings:
General Annual Enrollment Information Sessions Tuesday, Nov. 4 Noon-1 p.m. St. Paul, JRC 126 Wednesday, Nov. 5 1-2 p.m. Minneapolis, TMH 301 Monday, Nov. 10 11 p.m.-midnight St. Paul, MHC 155 Wednesday, Nov. 12 Noon-1 p.m. Minneapolis, TMH 301 Thursday, Nov. 13 Noon-1 p.m. St. Paul, JRC 126 Tuesday, Nov. 18 3:30-4:30 p.m. St. Paul, MHC 155 Health Savings Account (HSA) Info Sessions Friday, Nov. 7 Noon-1 p.m. St. Paul, MHC 339 Tuesday, Nov. 11 Noon-1 p.m. Minneapolis, TMH 301 Tuesday, Nov. 18 Noon-1 p.m. St. Paul, MHC 155 Pet Insurance Info Sessions Monday, Nov. 10 Noon-1 p.m. Minneapolis, TMH 301 Friday, Nov. 14 Noon-1 p.m. St. Paul, MHC 155
