Eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital, and UAB Hospital Management LLC must take action for their health care coverage during the annual open enrollment Oct. 28-Nov. 14.in order to secure their 2017 coverage. In addition to a new consumer-driven health plan Viva Choice, the traditional health plans from Viva Health and Blue Cross/Blue Shield (BCBS) are available for 2017. Employees also may opt to secure dental and vision benefits through separate plans offered.
Health plan rates
The cost of health care is rising nationwide, and UAB faces the same health care
challenge as many other large employers throughout the nation: to provide coverage at a cost both the individual and the institution can afford. During this lean budget year, UAB administration and the employee-led Benefits Committee worked to minimize any additional cost for benefits. No plan design changes have been implemented for 2017 on the existing traditional plans.
Monthly premiums for tier levels are presented for all four options:Viva Choice
- Single coverage: $76
- Employee plus 2: $253.98
- Family coverage: $366.18
- Single coverage: $85
- Employee plus 2 :$267.75
- Family coverage: $390.66
- Single coverage: $153.94
- Employee plus 2: $447.67
- Family coverage: $663.73
- Single coverage: $182.77
- Employee plus 2: $548.06
- Family: $843.34
Maximum out-of-pocket expenses for medical and pharmacy services vary by selection:
- Viva Choice – $3,500 for single and $7,000 for family coverage
- Viva UAB – $5,000 for single and $10,000 for family coverage
- Viva Access – $6,000 for single and $13,200 for family coverage
- BC/BS – $6,000 for single and $13,200 for family coverage
Vision plan rates
UAB offers its stand-alone vision benefit through Vision Service Plan, which provides coverage for routine eye exams, lenses and frames, contacts — both in and outside its network — and discounts for LASIK eye surgery (in-network only) and other special discounts to plan members.
The 2017 monthly premiums for coverage are $7.84 for single, $15.74 for employee plus 2 dependents and $24.94 for family coverage.Dental plan rates
UAB offers eligible employees a choice of two stand-alone dental plans — basic or comprehensive coverage — provided by MetLife. Monthly premiums for tier levels are presented for both options
Basic:- Single coverage $18.78,
- Employee +2 $34.98
- Family $48.05
- Single coverage $35.74
- Employee +2 $66.44
- Family $91. 24
Need help?
| Information about benefit options are being provided to better enable you to make the best choices for your household. Previous: 5 things to know about open enrollment Things to know about vision and dental plans New consumer-driven health plan and HSAs Traditional plan options for 2017 Next: 6 ways to reduce your health care costs |
All the information employees need to make their selections will be collected in the open enrollment toolkit in the UAB for Me benefits portal. This includes plan details, educational pieces, FAQs, decision-making tools and other resources that can help you make selections. This will replace the packet of printed information that had been mailed to employees’ homes in prior years.
Employees who want assistance sorting through the options have several choices to help them select the one best suited for their household:
- A plan shopping application is available during the online open enrollment process.
- Human Resources representatives will answer questions during UAB Benefits Fair 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 3 in the UAB Hospital West Pavilion Atrium.
- Employees may contact their HR consultant or the UAB Benefits office, benefits@uab.edu or 934-3458.
All elections will be effective Jan. 1, 2017, and new premiums for medical, dental and vision coverage will be reflected in the January 2017 payroll.
