Published: May 21, 2013

Open Enrollment ends this Friday at 5 p.m. This is the one time of year when University of Colorado benefits-eligible employees and retirees may make changes to benefits.

While the overall 2013-14 plan rates are 3.8 percent higher than current rates, the amount paid by university faculty and staff will not increase – and in some cases, it may decrease.

To learn more about plans, see final rates, enroll and find out what happens if you choose to take no action during open enrollment, go to www.cu.edu/openenrollment.

Reminders

Choose your doctor: This year, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will replace Cigna as the university’s Administrative Services Organization. Due to this change, Employee Services encourages all CU Health Plan members in the Exclusive or Access Network plan to select a primary care physician. If members do not choose a primary care physician, one will be automatically assigned.

Set your flexible spending: You must re-enroll and set annual contributions for Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending accounts each year at open enrollment.

What’s new?

  • Coverage expanded for civil unions: With the passage of the Colorado Civil Union Act, the university is adding civil unions to its dependent eligibility for same-sex and opposite-sex couples.

  • Vision plan added: The CU Health Plan will now offer voluntary vision coverage, which includes routine eye exams, eye glasses and contact lenses. The new plan is only available to active employees (benefits-eligible 50 percent or greater).

  • Dental coverage unbundled: Starting this year, medical and dental insurance can be elected separately.

  • Diabetes management: Diabetics can receive medication and supplies with no copay/deductible costs by actively participating in a disease management program.

  • Hearing aids: Adult hearing aid coverage has been added to all plans, except CU Health Plan – Medicare and CU Health Plan – Kaiser, providing a $3,500 maximum allowance every 60 months.

  • SilverSneakers: Retirees over age 65 can now take advantage of the SilverSneakers Fitness program. It will gives retirees access to conditioning classes, exercise equipment, pools, saunas and more.

  • Health Care Reform: Learn more about expanded preventive care services and health care reform issues at Anthem’s CU Health Plan page at www.anthem.com/cuhealthplan/hcr.html or at Kaiser’s CU Health Plan page at www.kp.org/cuhealthplan.

If you have questions, please call Employee Services at 303-860-4200 and select option 3 or call toll-free at 855-216-7740.