Employee Matters

This column is prepared by staff of the Employee Compensation and Benefits Services office. E-mail the office at employee@bussvc.wisc.edu, or call 263-7556 or 262-5650.

Fall Enrollment Opportunities

This fall, in addition to the annual dual choice opportunity for health insurance and the Employee Reimbursement Accounts (ERA) enrollments, there will be special open enrollments for these three plans:

• Dental and Excess Medical Plan (Epic)
• Non-Represented Dental Plan (Dentacare)
• UW Employees Inc. Life Insurance.

For detailed information on eligibility, application, information distribution, benefit changes and premiums, visit http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/New-Information.html

Dual Choice Health Insurance

Annual enrollment period: Oct. 10-28

Coverage effective: Jan. 1

If you have state health insurance coverage in effect as of Oct. 1, you are eligible to change health plans or to change from single to family coverage during this dual choice period. See the information on the Web that outlines the changes in health plans and premiums for 2006.

Employee Reimbursement Accounts (ERA)

Annual enrollment period: Oct. 10-Nov. 18

Coverage effective: Jan. 1

You can set aside money in an ERA account to pay for medical or dependent care expenses and such monies are deducted from your earnings before taxes are withheld. If you participated in 2005, you must re-enroll for 2006.

Review the booklet. There are changes to the program this year, including an extension of the period of time during which you can incur expenses and claim reimbursement for the medical expense account program.

Dental and Excess Medical Plan (Epic)

Open enrollment period: Oct. 10-28

Coverage effective: Jan. 1

This plan offers dental benefits and some limited excess medical benefits. The plan also has an accidental death and dismemberment benefit. The plan does not duplicate benefits offered through your health insurance plan. You may apply if you are eligible for the state group health insurance plan even if you are not enrolled. If you currently are insured and want to change coverage, such as from single to family, you can elect to do so during this open enrollment opportunity. Also, if you want to add dependents who were not added previously in a timely manner, this is an opportunity to add them. You will not be eligible to enroll during this open enrollment period if you previously had canceled your coverage.

Non-Represented Dental Plan (Dentacare)

Enrollment period: Oct. 10-28

Coverage effective: Jan. 1

This plan offers dental coverage beyond what is offered by your state group health insurance plan, if any. There are three different plans offered. One of the plans is available only to employees that are enrolled in a health plan that offers dental benefits. Therefore, if you are currently insured and you are planning to change your health plan, be sure to review your dental coverage as well.

UW Employees Inc. Life Insurance

Enrollment period: Oct. 10-28

Coverage effective: Jan. 1

UW Employees Inc. is a group term life insurance plan providing coverage for employees. It is a decreasing term insurance, with benefits decreasing as your age increases. This plan does not offer spouse and dependent coverage.