1. Action is required
With an active Open Enrollment, any benefit-eligible employee who does not select a 2016 medical plan option during this year’s Open Enrollment will not have medical coverage for 2016. In past years, an employee’s existing medical plan would roll over into the subsequent year if no action was taken during Open Enrollment. It is critical that all benefit-eligible employees make a medical plan choice that is best for themselves and their families.
2. Health care plan rate changes
Medical rates will increase 3 percent for employees on single plans and 5 percent for employee-plus up to two dependents and family plans.
As part of UAB’s efforts to maintain a variety of choices for UAB employees’ medical plans, the 2016 Viva Access and Blue Cross Blue Shield employer portion of the premium will now be the same. With this change, the 2016 employee portion of the premium for BCBS will decrease.Medical plan design for each plan will remain the same for 2016. There will be no changes in the dental or vision options for 2016.
3. Nicotine use policy
In keeping with UAB’s emphasis on creating a culture of health and wellness, employees enrolling in a UAB medical plan will be required to state whether they have used nicotine products in the past six months. A $50 monthly nicotine surcharge will be applied to all declared nicotine users, beginning Jan. 1, 2016. More information on the nicotine surcharge is available here.
4. More information is available
Open Enrollment information is housed within the UAB for Me benefits portal. A detailed newsletter will be mailed to all benefit-eligible employees’ home addresses by mid-October. The UAB Benefits Fair will be held 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 29 in the UAB Hospital West Pavilion Atrium.
Contact your HR consultant or the UAB Benefits office with additional questions.
