The annual enrollment period for health, dental, vision, basic and term life, long-term care and voluntary special accident programs is Oct. 3-14.
During this time, all regular employees working at least 75 percent time can enroll in programs, change providers or options, add dependents or cancel coverage. The decisions you make during the enrollment period are effective Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2017.
What’s Important for 2017
- Changes in Premiums, Deductibles, Copays and Coinsurance
- Combined Medical and Pharmacy Out-of-Pocket Maximums
- More Health Plans (5 Total) and Insurance Networks (3 Total)
- Less Health Coaching
- Only members in disease management (diabetes, heart failure, coronary artery disease, asthma and COPD) and case management (complex medical needs, chronic conditions and catastrophic illness or injuries) will be called in 2017
- New Telehealth Option for Virtual Visits
- New ID Cards
- New Behavioral Health, Substance Abuse and Employee Assistance Program Vendor
- New Copay Installment Plan for 90-Day Maintenance Medications
No action is required if you are satisfied with your current benefit selections. But it’s still a good idea to look through the information because several changes are being introduced.
If you and/or your covered spouse were in the Partnership PPO or the Wellness HealthSavings CDHP and did not complete the 2016 Partnership Promise, you can stay in your current plan, but you will not qualify for the lower monthly premium or state health savings account deposit. Depending on your needs, you may want to switch plans during open enrollment.
Detailed information about programs, processes and changes is included in the state of Tennessee’s 2017 Decision Guide and also on the UT System Payroll Office website. Instructions for using the state’s self-service website are available on pages 5-6 of the guide.
The deadline to enroll and/or make changes for 2017 is 5:30 p.m. EDT, Oct. 14, unless you have a qualifying event or family status change during the year.
Considering the Low Premium/High Deductible HealthSavings CDHP?
Join a webinar to learn more:
- Oct. 4 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- Oct. 5 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Oct. 11 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- Oct. 12 from 2-3 p.m.
- (All times central)
To participate, click here and follow these instructions:
- Enter your first name, last name and email address
- Click Join Meeting
- If the program asks for a password, click Continue as a Guest
Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance Update
The short-term disability insurance enrollment has been delayed for one year. Long-term disability coverage will be provided through the current vendor for 2017.
2017 Flexible Spending Account Program
The annual enrollment period for UT’s medical and dependent care spending accounts is Oct. 1-31. Anyone currently participating in the program and who wishes to re-enroll will need to create a new account. More information about the program, changes for 2017 and instructions for enrolling are available here. If you enroll in the HealthSavings CDHP plan with the health savings account for 2017, you cannot enroll in the traditional flexible spending account program for medical expenses.
Questions about 2017 insurance and benefit programs can be directed to local campus or institute insurance offices or to the UT System Payroll Office at (865) 974-5251. UT cannot access your health information but may be able to help in other ways.