Monday, October 9, 2000
Nothing finer in the land
Academic honesty policy changed
Building service employees honored at awards banquet
State Botanical Garden benefits from Campaign for Charities
Welcome new faculty
Grabbing a byte to eat
The picture of health
Informational meetings about health insurance options begin
By Larry B. Dendy
ldendy@uga.edu

University employees and retirees will be able to get information about new options for health insurance and prescription drug coverage, and to ask questions, on Oct. 10, when the Human Resources Division holds an informational meeting at 2:30 p.m. in the law school auditorium. Columns spoke with David Williamson, director of employee benefits, about the new plans.

Columns: Will there be other such meetings?
Williamson: Yes. Human Resources will hold more than 20 meetings on campus and at UGA sites around the state. They will be held at varying times during the day, as well as after work hours, so as many people as possible can attend.
We understand that many people are confused and apprehensive about the changes in insurance. At these meetings, we will present the latest and most complete information we have received from the board of regents, and we will answer as many questions as possible.

Columns: What are the open enrollment dates?
Williamson: The open enrollment period is Oct. 16-Nov. 16. During that time, every employee and retiree must choose among the options for health insurance coverage that will go into effect Jan. 1. The choices are the current indemnity plan, administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield; a PPO--Preferred Provider Organization--plan and a PPO “consumer choice” plan; and Blue Choice HMO and Blue Choice HMO consumer choice plans.

Columns: When will we get details?
Williamson: I expect to receive full details about all the plans from the board of regents by mid-October. That information, in the form of charts comparing the services and costs of the indemnity and PPO plans, will be sent to all employees and retirees as soon as it becomes available. A separate summary of HMO benefits and costs will also be provided.
All employees and retirees will receive an enrollment form to indicate their choice of insurance plan. Every person must return this form to Human Resources during the open enrollment period--even those who stay with the current indemnity plan. Anyone not returning the card will automatically be assigned to the PPO.
I don’t have information about the HMO plans yet, but I can answer some questions about the indemnity and PPO plans.

Columns: If you choose a PPO, and get sick while out of state, what do you do?
Williamson: You certainly should receive treatment as quickly as possible. If the treatment is for an emergency, you will pay in-network rates--that is, the same rate you would pay to a contracted physician in Georgia. If the treatment is not an emergency, you will pay out-of-network rates. An emergency is defined as a serious illness or injury that is life-threatening or could permanently impair bodily functions. That determination will be made by the insurer.

Columns: If I choose the PPO and I’m not happy with it, what can I do?
Williamson: You can only change plans during the open enrollment period. The plan you choose in the upcoming enrollment period will be in effect from Jan. 1, 2001, until Jan. 1, 2002, and you won’t be able to change it until the open enrollment period next fall, unless there is a change in family status. And it’s very important to remember that if you don’t specifically choose a plan during the upcoming open enrollment period, you will automatically be assigned to the PPO.

Columns: Do the PPO plans include eye exams and physical exams?
Williamson: Yes. The PPO plans will include the same wellness benefit available in the current indemnity plan, which will also continue. This provides for physicals, mammograms, pap smears, routine eye and hearing exams and similar tests and exams up to a maximum of $500.

Columns: Is mental health care covered under the new plans?
Williamson: Yes. Mental health coverage in the current indemnity plan won’t change. The PPOs will provide similar coverage, though full information isn’t yet available.

Columns: Will the PPO have a dental plan?
Williamson: No. The current dental insurance plan is not affected by the changes in health insurance. The current dental plan will continue to be offered apart from health insurance.

Columns: Is the prescription plan included in monthly premiums?
Williamson: Yes. The board of regents has contracted with Express Scripts to provide a pharmacy benefit program. Your basic fee for this coverage will be included in your monthly premium for health insurance. However, you will also be responsible for co-payments, depending on the type of prescription you receive. If you get a generic brand, you will co-pay $10. If you use a preferred brand, you will co-pay $20. If you use a non-preferred brand, you must pay 20 percent of the prescription cost, with a minimum payment of $35 and a maximum of $75.

Columns: How do I obtain a list of generic, preferred and non-preferred drugs? How can I get a list of pharmacies that will participate in this plan?
Williamson: Express Scripts will provide this information on a Web site that should be in operation by the time the open enrollment period starts.
On the Web
Up-to-date information about health insurance changes:
www.busfin.uga.edu/human_resources/whatsnew.html

Schedule of information meetings, on and off campus:
http://www.busfin.uga.edu/benefits/annual_enrollment1.pdf
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