Variety of plans, Web enrollment available during selection period

University personnel will find the same mix of health insurance plans they currently enjoy when Open Enrollment—the time for faculty, staff and retirees to update or make changes to their benefits packages for 2006—takes place Oct. 10-21.

Open Enrollment provides a reminder for faculty and staff members to review benefit choices to make sure they meet changing needs. The Benefits Office evaluates plans every year to ensure the University continues to offer the best features and number of plans for the U-M community.

Employees are encouraged to review all plan and rate options available prior to making enrollment decisions.

What's new for 2006

Web enrollment

Web-based enrollment using eBenefits, initiated last year, now is the standard way for faculty and staff members to make benefit elections for 2006.

Personal Enrollment Worksheets no longer will be mailed to staff members' home addresses. Faculty and staff will be able to view their current benefits and make changes for 2006 on the Web beginning Oct. 10.

Changes to elections online may be made as many times as needed until the 7 p.m. deadline Oct. 21.Faculty and staff with a uniqname and UMICH Kerberos password can access the system throughout Open Enrollment. Employees without a uniqname and/or password should contact the ITCS at http://www.itd.umich.edu/accounts.

Retirees, survivors and employees on long-term disability can make elections using the election form in their Open Enrollment books. For staff without computer access, paper forms will be available by request from the HR/Payroll Service Center.

GEO members are eligible for additional benefits beginning Jan. 1

In addition to medical insurance, including GradCare, dental option 1, and enrollment in a health care or dependent care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), GEO members now will be eligible for dental options 2 and 3, the vision plan, and the legal plan.

Printable confirmation sheets

A printable summary of selected benefits with a unique reference number will be immediately available online each time elections are submitted using eBenefits. Paper confirmations no longer will be mailed to employees using eBenefits.

Enhancement to medical coverage for services received outside of the United States

Effective Jan. 1, Blue Cross Blue Shield Community Blue PPO members will be covered at the in-network benefit level when receiving care for approved services while outside the United States. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Community Blue PPO is the only plan offering this enhanced level of coverage.

The schedule

Late September: Distribution of Open Enrollment books will begin via campus mail to faculty and staff. Books for retirees, survivors, and long-term disability participants will be mailed to home addresses.

Sept. 23: Retirees Health Fair at Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest.

Oct.10-21—Open Enrollment period: Faculty and staff should make any desired changes to their benefits by 7 p.m. Oct. 21.

Jan. 1: New benefits elections and rates take effect.

Other Resources

Medical Plan Navigator

The Medical Plan Navigator allows users to view side-by-side comparison charts of the plans. The navigator does not make recommendations, but it is a helpful tool for narrowing focus by searching for available plans by zip code of residence (HMO service area) or by certain plan features, like well child care or vision coverage. Faculty and staff can access the navigator at: http://www.umich.edu/~benefits/events/oe/index.htm.

Flexible Spending Accounts

The Benefits Office is reminding employees that Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for health care or dependent care expenses require annual enrollment. FSAs allow participants to set aside pre-tax dollars for certain out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses. For more information about FSAs, go to: http://www.umich.edu/~benefits/plans/reimburse/index.htm.

An opportunity to review other benefits

Some benefits, such as life insurance, extended long-term disability and the retirement savings plan, are not part of Open Enrollment. These may be elected or changed at any time during the year. Forms can be found at: http://www.umich.edu/~benefits/forms/index.htm.

For More Information

Web: To view plan information and 2006 rates for all benefits plans see: http://www.umich.edu/~benefits.

E-mail: To reach a benefits representative contact: benefits.office@umich.edu.

Phone: To consult with HR/Payroll Service Center staff, call 615-2000 (campus), (734) 615-2000 (local or off-campus), or (866) 647-7657 (toll-free for off-campus long-distance calling).

University Record: Watch for further details as Open Enrollment nears.

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