Viva Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama have added new offerings that will apply to UAB, UAHSF and UAB Health System employee health plans starting Jan. 1, 2020.
Based on reviews of state and federal regulations with Viva Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAB was made aware of the opportunity to add new offerings to all of its plans, with no impact to communicated premiums. “It is rare that we have the opportunity to make plan changes after open enrollment. Instead of waiting until Jan. 1, 2021, we are excited to be able to get these new offerings added now before the plans take effect in 2020,” said UAB Chief Human Resources Officer Alesia Jones.
Recent additions that were not available in the previous year’s plans include maternity care for employees’ dependent children up to age 26 and benefits for plan holders diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Translation services for the five most commonly spoken languages in our market already have been added, and care related to autism therapy also will be included in all health care plans for 2020.
While these additions will be incorporated into 2020 plans, they will not affect the cost of plans employees secured during fall open enrollment. For information about specific benefits offered in your plan, contact your insurance provider — Viva Health or Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama — or your Benefits Office:
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UAB Benefits – 205-934-3458 or Benefits@uab.edu
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UAB Health System HR – 205-975-7705
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UAHSF Benefits Office – 205-801-8055
In addition to the new offerings, Jones says, there are existing programs offered for which Human Resources is working to increase awareness and use.
“We want to ensure employees know about CommonBond, the Employee Assistance Counseling Center and the UAB Medicine 4YOU priority access resource,” Jones said.
Common Bond is a student loan refinance option available to employees. The service pays off existing student loans and replaces them with one combined loan with lower interest during the life of the loan. Employees who refinance receive a $200 bonus with CommonBond. Learn more at uab.edu/hrintouch.
For more information about our licensed mental health professionals and financial counseling, call the UAB Employee Assistance Counseling Center at 205-934-2281 or email uabeacc@uabmc.edu.
UAB Medicine 4YOU allows UAB, UAB Medicine and Triton/VIVA employees, their spouses, dependents and retirees to have priority access to UAB Medicine caregivers. To schedule an appointment with a UAB Medicine provider, call 205-934-9999 or toll-free at 800-822-8816. Find a provider in the directory at uabmedicine.org.
