Faculty, professional and scientific staff, and supervisory merit employees may review and change their ISU Plan benefits during the annual open change period, Nov. 1-16.
What's new for 2013?
Medical premiums for both the PPO and HMO plans have little or no increases for 2013.
|
Monthly medical premium: Cost to employees |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
PPO |
HMO |
||
|
|
2012 |
2013 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
You only |
$19 |
$20 |
$0 |
$0 |
|
You + spouse |
$263 |
$263 |
$78 |
$78 |
|
You + children |
$173 |
$173 |
$45 |
$46 |
|
You + family |
$325 |
$335 |
$108 |
$111 |
|
Family -- double spouse |
$95 |
$96 |
$0 |
$0 |
Dental changes
Costs for both the basic and comprehensive dental plans remain the same for 2013. However, there is a new addition to the basic plan called CheckUp Plus, which encourages regular dental visits for better overall health. Employees who choose the basic dental plan (as well as those already enrolled in it) automatically will receive CheckUp Plus. For no additional cost, CheckUp Plus waives diagnostic and preventive dental service costs from the annual maximum amount. Here's how it works:
|
Basic ISU Plan benefits with CheckUp Plus |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Example: Two routine checkups (two exams, routine X-rays, two cleanings) covered 100 percent with $750 annual maximum |
||
|
Delta Dental pays |
Member pays |
Annual maximum remaining |
|
$350 |
$0 |
$750* |
*Without CheckUp Plus, the annual maximum remaining would be $400
Mark your calendar
- Nov. 1: Open change period begins at 8 a.m.; participation statements available on AccessPlus
- Nov. 8: Live webcast, 9-10 a.m. (archived replay will be available on the benefits website)
- Nov. 16: Open change period ends at 5 p.m.
- Nov. 30: Benefit confirmation statements available on AccessPlus (beginning at 8 a.m.)
- Dec. 7: Final day to report errors on benefit confirmation statements (before 5 p.m.)
- Jan. 11, 2013: Final benefit statements of 2013 elections available on AccessPlus
Flexible spending limit is reduced
The health care flexible spending account limit will decrease from $5,000 to $2,500 per account for 2013. The change is part of the Affordable Care Act. A list of eligible claims for flexible spending accounts is available on the ASIFlex website.
Reminders
Employees may continue to insure children up to age 26 on their medical, dental, dependent life and Avesis vision plans for 2013. To qualify, children must be under age 26 on Jan. 1, 2013. Children may be covered even if they are married or have a job with health care benefits. If children already have benefits, the ISU coverage would supplement their primary health plans.
If children turn 26 in 2013, coverage must end Dec. 31, 2013. However, if children are unmarried and enroll as full-time students during the year, they can remain on their parents' ISU health, dental and vision plans until they either get married or stop being full-time students. Remember, there may be tax implications for employees who insure students over age 26.
Non-supervisory merit employees may make changes to their 2013 benefits through 5 p.m. Nov. 16.
How to change your benefits
ISU Plan participants may alter their medical, dental, flexible spending and Avesis coverage online through AccessPlus. Some changes may require paper forms, which are available on the benefits website or from human resource services (4-4800). If you are making no changes, there's no need to update your benefits; your current choices will carry over to 2013. The carryover exception is those with health care flex spending above the new maximum; higher amounts will be reduced to the maximum allowed.
More information
HRS is hosting an interactive webcast for ISU Plan employees Nov. 8 (9-10 a.m.). To participate, log on to http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/benefits. At the login page, enter your name under the "Enter as a Guest" heading, then click "Enter Room."
