Employee Matters

This column by Shari Cnare of Employee Compensation and Benefits addresses campuswide employment issues. Send your questions to: wisweek@news.wisc.edu.

What is Dual Choice?
Dual Choice is the three-week period in October of every calendar year when insured employees can make changes to their health plans. You must be enrolled in the health plan on or before Monday, Oct. 1, to participate. During Dual Choice you may change your health plan, or change your coverage from single to family without a waiting period or exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions.

When are the changes effective?
The changes made during Dual Choice will be effective Jan. 1 of the following year.

What are the Dual Choice dates?
The dates for Dual Choice in 2001 are Monday, Oct. 8, through Friday, Oct. 26. You will receive a booklet entitled It’s Your Choice 2002. The booklets will be distributed in campus mail in early October.

How do I change plans?
Complete a health insurance application. Your benefits coordinator must receive it no later than the last day of the Dual Choice enrollment period.

How do I change my coverage from single to family?
Complete a new health insurance application. Your benefits coordinator must receive it by no later than the last day of the Dual Choice enrollment period.

Were there any changes made to the health insurance benefits for the next calendar year?
Yes. Changes were made to plans with Uniform Benefits (HMOs) and the Standard Plan II. The notable HMO changes are:

• An increase in out-of-pocket maximums for prescription drugs from $240 to $270 for individuals and $480 to $540 for a family.
• An increase in the emergency room co-payment from $25 to $40 per occurrence (still waived if admitted as an inpatient).
• A new hearing aid benefit that allows for purchase of one hearing aid per ear every three years, payable at 80 percent. Maximum payable $1,000 per hearing aid.
• Treatment for extraction and replacement of natural teeth when necessary due to accidental injury must begin within 18 months of the injury.

  Notable Standard Plan II changes are:

• An increase in the per-person annual deductible from $300 to $500.
• An increase in the per-person out-of-pocket maximum from $1,000 to $2,000.
• An increase in the co-payment for prescription drugs from $7 to $14 for generic drugs and from $14 for $21 brand-name drugs.

Will I have to pay part of the health insurance premium for 2002?
Yes, if you continue with or select Physicians Plus or Unity. There will be no employee cost for Dean Health or GHC for unclassified and classified employees. Employees will first see premium changes on Nov. 15 (classified) and Nov. 30 (unclassified) paychecks. Employees enrolled in the Grad Plan with GHC will see no change. Those enrolled in the other three HMOs (Grad Plan) will see a decrease in their cost, effective with their Nov. 30 check.

What are other sources of information?
Go to the Benefits Fair Thursday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Memorial Union. Visit: http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/uw1421.html