Open Enrollment

OPEN ENROLLMENT DATES:  MAY 9 - May 27, 2013.  FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF JULY 1, 2013.

 

This is your annual opportunity to review your current benefit elections, make changes to your medical, dental and life insurance coverage, as well as enroll in a health care or dependent child care Flexible Spending Account.

As was true last year, Open Enrollment for Plan Year 2013-2014 will be completed online via an Electronic Open Enrollment Form. This form was created to simplify the enrollment process by bringing back the “familiar look and feel of a simple benefits form” on a web-based application. The form allows you to login, enroll and change your benefits online – at work, home or from any computer with Internet access – anytime during the Open Enrollment Period.  Note: VPN access is NOT required.

 

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ELECTRONIC OPEN ENROLLMENT FORM

 

PLEASE NOTE:  If you have no changes and do not participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts, you do not need to complete the Electronic Open Enrollment Form – your benefits will continue as they are.

You need to complete enrollment via the Electronic Open Enrollment Form if you have changes to your benefit elections and/or if you wish to re-enroll in the health care or dependent child care Flexible Spending Accounts for the new plan year. Upon successful completion of the form, you will receive an e-mail confirmation

IMPORTANT! You will need your Pace Portal user name and password, as well as all dependent data available to you (Social Security Number, date of birth, etc.) while you complete the Electronic Open Enrollment Form. This is a SINGLE TRANSACTION system. Once you make your elections and select FINALIZE, you will not be allowed to re-enter the system to make additional changes.

If you exit the system without completing the process, your elections will be lost and you will have to begin again.

All changes made during this Open Enrollment period are effective on July 1, 2013* and will remain in effect through June 30, 2014. You cannot change your benefit selections until the next Open Enrollment period, unless you experience a qualifying change in family status during the plan year.

*With the exception of voluntary life insurance changes for those currently on short-term disability. Such changes will become effective upon the employee’s return from disability leave.

 

WHAT HAS CHANGED FOR 2013-2014?

 

Medical Plans

 

Mail Order Copayment REDUCTION from two (2) copayments for three (3) month supply to only one (1) copayment for a three (3) month supply (maintenance medications only)

Effective July 1, 2013, employees that utilize the mail order pharmacy benefit through CIGNA Tel-Drug (1-800-835-3484) will receive a 3 month supply of medication, for the cost of one copayment (refers to maintenance medication on this list only).  Employees on maintenance medications are not required to utilize mail order, but the co-payment reduction only applies to those who do.  The annual deductible for non-generic medications will still apply.

Please click here for FAQs

CIGNA 90/70 Plan & CIGNA 100/70 Plan
Increase to Out-of-Pocket Maximum for Out-of-Network Services

Effective July 1, 2013, employees enrolled in the 90/70 or 100/70 will have an increase to the out-of-pocket maximum.

Plan

Previous
Maximum Out-of-Pocket
(individual/family)

New (effective July 1, 2013)
Maximum Out-of-Pocket
(individual/family)

90/70 Plan

$2,000 / $4,000

$2,500 / $5,000

100/70 Plan

$1,800 / $3,600

$2,500 / $5,000

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Please click here for FAQs

CIGNA LAB CHANGES

Cigna has made some changes to their processing of in-network lab coverage. In most instances you should not experience any issues as your physician automatically sends your lab work to the correct Cigna participating lab. However, if the in-network provider sends your lab work to a non-participating vendor, the claim will be processed at the out of network level or not covered if you are enrolled in an in-network only plan. As such we strongly recommend that you notify your provider of the participating labs whenever you utilize these services. The following provides some guidance on how to best handle these services.

What you need to do when lab work is needed:

  • Find network labs by going to myCigna.com or calling the number on your Cigna ID card.
  • Tell your doctor you want to use a Cigna network lab.
  • If your doctor takes a sample in the office, tell your doctor to send it to a Cigna network lab.
  • Bring a print-out of participating labs to your appointment.
  • Make sure the lab is an in-network lab. Just because a lab accepts your Cigna ID card doesn’t necessarily mean it’s part of the Cigna network.

If an in-network doctor does not send your lab work to a participating provider and your claim is processed at the out of network level (or not covered if you are in the Cigna 50 or Cigna 20 plan), you do have the right to appeal the decision. This can be done by contacting Cigna’s customer service department at the number listed on your ID card. 

Please click here for FAQs
 

New Identification Cards

CIGNA has added a new legal entity, CIGNA Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), to underwrite insured health care contracts. This is in addition to Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC).  As such, they are issuing new ID cards with the new legal entity name.  Those who are enrolled in the CIGNA Dental DHMO plan will receive new ID cards as well.

This will not affect how you work with CIGNA. The same teams serve both legal entities, so the CIGNA you work with today in billing, health advocacy / care management, claim and call will still be there for you. There will be no change in CIGNA's phone numbers or customer service standards because of a change in legal entity. You will see the CHLIC name in the same places you see Connecticut General today: on an ID card, an Explanation of Benefits (EOB), or in the legal lines of marketing materials.

Health care professionals will have a similarly uninterrupted experience. There will be no change in how they submit claims or receive reimbursement, though they will begin to see CIGNA's new name in legal lines and on Explanations of Payment (EOPs). 

Please click here for FAQs

CIGNA In-Net $50 Plan Enrollment - Not available to new enrollees as of July 1, 2013

The CIGNA In-Net $50 Plan will no longer be offered as a plan option for employees who are not already enrolled in the plan.  Those currently enrolled may continue to participate. 

The University made this decision based on several factors:

  • The high point of service copayments
  • The high daily hospitalization deductible of $500 per day
  • The high out-of-pocket maximum of $5,000 for an individual, and $10,000 for those with family coverage

The University will offer, effective July 1, 2013, a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) option in replacement.

Please click here for FAQs

High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA)

The University is excited to offer an innovative new plan -  a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a corresponding Health Savings Account (HSA). An HDHP with an HSA is an example of a consumer-driven health plan that is designed to empower you to take control of your health and the dollars you spend on your care. 

With the HDHP, there will be an annual deductible which is not a feature in some of our other medical plans; however, that is only part of the cost you should consider when making your enrollment decision. Another cost to think about is the amount you pay for medical coverage through your payroll contributions. With the HDHP/HSA, the deduction from your paycheck is lower than other medical plan options. The lower premium gives you the perfect opportunity to start saving in an HSA account.
 
You have the freedom to see any in-network health care providers, including specialists, without a referral. This is especially important since instead of a copay, you will be paying the full cost of a doctor’s visit or service until you satisfy your deductible. Once you meet the annual deductible, you will pay 10% (coinsurance) or 20%, 30% or 40% for prescriptions (up to the plan out of pocket maximum - then you pay 0% and the plan pays 100%).
 
To encourage a healthy lifestyle and active management of your health, eligible preventive care services, such as routine physicals and well-woman exams, are covered at 100%. All other services (including prescription drugs) are subject to the deductible before the Plan pays a portion of the cost. Once you meet the deductible, you and the Plan share the costs of your care (coinsurance).
 
Please click here for FAQs
 

Flexible Spending Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars on a per-paycheck basis to save for expenses not covered under your medical plan.

  • Heath Care Reform reduced the maximum Health Care FSA annual contribution from $8,000 to $2,500 for the July 1, 2013 through  June 30, 2014 plan year.
  • Click here to access a list of Eligible Expenses Items.

Please click here for FAQs

Benefits to Consider During this Open Enrollment period:

 

Benefits to Consider Throughout the Plan Year (Can be Changed During the Year):

NEED HELP?

For assistance with your enrollment selections, please contact the University Benefits office, at 914-923-2828 (X22828), or via e-mail at openenrollment@pace.edu or at benefits@pace.edu. You may also submit a Help Desk request at https://help.pace.edu.