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Press Release Date: 5/20/2009
Open Enrollment for medical and dental plans
Open Enrollment begins May 18 and closes June 3. During Open Enrollment, you may switch from one medical plan to another, add previously declined dependent dental coverage, change your pre- or post-tax premium withholding status, or enroll/re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Account program. You will make your open enrollment choices electronically. Click here for instructions: http://adm.idaho.gov/insurance/grp/open_enrollment/FY10/OE_instructions_SCO_payroll.pdf
Medical Coverage
The Office of Group Insurance has completed the annual renewal of the States medical plans with Blue Cross of Idaho. New monthly premiums are as follows: http://adm.idaho.gov/insurance/grp/open_enrollment/FY10/FY10_Medical_and_Dental_Premium_Rates.pdf
Each medical plan has been renewed with a modification to the prescription drug benefit. Effective July 1, 2009 all three medical plans will include a prescription drug formulary with revised copayment amounts. There will no longer be a provision to purchase a 90 day supply of medication for two copayments. The new copayment amounts for each 30 day supply of a prescription will be as follows:
Generic Drugs $10 copayment
Formulary Brand Drugs $25 copayment
Non-formulary Brand $50 copayment
Certain prescription drugs have generic equivalents. If the Insured requests a Brand Name Drug, the Insured is responsible for the difference between the price
of the Generic Drug and the Brand Name Drug, regardless of the Formulary or Non-Formulary status. This change helped to minimize the needed premium increase to just 6%. The remaining provisions of all three medical plans will be the same as those currently in place.
The State is making major changes for coverage for part-time employees. Beginning in November 2009, the State contribution amount ($681.26 per month for full-time employees) will be prorated for part-time employees. Employees working at least 20 hours per week, but less than 28 hours per week, will be billed for 40% of the State contribution (i.e., approximately $272 per month in addition to the posted premium rates). Employees working at least 28 hours per week, but less than 36 hours per week, will be billed for 20% of the State contribution (i.e., approximately $136 per month in addition to the posted premium rates). The State will pay the entire $681.26 employers share of the monthly rate for employees working 36 or more hours per week. (Please click on link for additional information from the Office of Group Insurance): http://adm.idaho.gov/insurance/grp/open_enrollment/FY10/FY2010_Premium_Rate_Matrix.pdf
Bi-Monthly Deductions: Beginning in November 2009, premiums for all employees will be deducted twice a month; one half on the first pay date of the month and the other on the second pay date.
As soon as we receive additional information regarding this change, we will make sure the affected employees are notified, and will clarify potential questions to all employees.
Dental Coverage
The Office of Group Insurance remarketed the dental plan this fall and as a result, Blue Cross of Idaho will become the states dental plan carrier effective July 1, 2009. The Blue Cross of Idaho dental plan will continue the plan of benefits currently provided in the FY09 Delta Dental contract and employee-paid dental premium rates will remain at the same level as FY09. Employees will not need to reenroll for dental coverage; their enrollment records will be transferred from Delta Dental to Blue Cross of Idaho.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program
The FSA allows you to pay for eligible health care and dependent daycare expenses on a tax-free basis. There are two accounts to choose:
The Medical Reimbursement Account allows you to set aside up to $3,000 per plan year to pay for eligible health care expenses such as deductibles, coinsurance and copays,
over-the-counter medical treatment items such as aspirin and allergy medications, orthodontia, hearing aids, etc.
The Dependent Care Account allows you to set aside up to $5,000 per plan year to pay for eligible dependent daycare expenses. Remember to carefully
calculate the amount you want to set aside in your FSA accounts. Money left in either account after the plan year claim filing period ends is lost and cannot be carried over into the next year.
YOU MUST RE-ENROLL IN THE FSA PROGRAM EVERY YEAR!
If you have any questions regarding open enrollment, please call the HRS Office at x2269. Thanks!
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