Penn Benefits Open Enrollment: April 18-April 29 |
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March 29, 2016, Volume 62, No. 28 |
Benefits Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to make changes to your healthcare elections. This year, Open Enrollment is Monday, April 18 through Friday, April 29. Penn Benefits provides you with a valuable range of options to help meet your particular needs. Now is a great time to begin considering if you want to make changes to your current healthcare coverage and which options will work best for you in the coming plan year. Please note that this information applies to active full-time or part-time benefits-eligible faculty and staff only. |
Penn Benefits Open Enrollment: April 18-April 29
Plan Changes as of July 1, 2016
PennCare/Personal Choice PPO Plan
The PennCare/Personal Choice PPO plan deductible will increase as of July 1, 2016. Under the PennCare tier, the individual deductible will increase from $125 to $150, and the family deductible will increase from $375 to $450. Under the Personal Choice tier, the individual deductible will increase from $300 to $350, and the family deductible will increase from $900 to $1,050.
Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Website
Penn’s Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) provider, ADP, moved its FSA administration to a new, enhanced platform on March 17. New debit cards were automatically issued for the participant only. If you need additional cards for your qualified dependents, log on to www.pennbenefits.upenn.edu and select the FlexDirect FSA Manager link from the left menu, then click “Request Duplicate Card.” The additional debit card will be issued in the dependent’s name. If you have any questions about your account or need additional assistance, contact the Penn Benefits Center at 1-888-PENNBEN (1-888-736-6236).
Dependent Eligibility Change
Effective July 1, 2016, the definition of dependent as related to health plan coverage will change to include only the legally married spouse of an employee, regardless of gender. This means that, as of July 1, no new same-sex domestic partner may be added as a dependent to a Penn health, dental and/or vision plan or dependent life insurance. This will apply whether there is a qualifying life event or if
a new employee with a same-sex domestic partner is hired.
Prior to July 1, 2016, a new same-sex domestic partner may be added during Open Enrollment (April 18-29), if there is a qualifying life event, or if an employee with a same-sex domestic partner is hired.
Same-sex domestic partners enrolled in a Penn health plan prior to July 1, 2016 may remain on the plan for an additional two years, until June 30, 2018. Dependent children of a same-sex domestic partner may remain on the plan for two years as long as they are under age 26.
After June 30, 2018, participants may continue coverage under COBRA or obtain coverage on their own. Participants who are no longer eligible for coverage under the new definition of dependent (i.e., legally married spouse) will be offered COBRA coverage for 36 months.
If you are not legally married to your same-sex domestic partner, you will continue to pay Federal, Social Security and Medicare taxes on the value of the benefits extended to your partner and his/her children. Penn will continue to provide you with up to $125 per month (minus applicable taxes) through June 30, 2017, to help offset the imputed income tax on the medical plan. After June 30, 2017, the offset will end for those who have not married.
Supplemental Life Insurance
Effective July 1, 2016, supplemental life insurance rates will decrease. This means you may pay less out of pocket for coverage that you currently have.
When Are Changes Effective?
Changes made during Open Enrollment will be effective as of July 1, 2016. New rates for all plans will be reflected in your July 2016 paycheck.
Attend a Presentation
Open Enrollment presentations will be held so you can get more information and ask questions. Presentations begin at the times listed below. They’ll run for 45 minutes, followed by a Q&A session.
Date |
Start Time |
Location |
Tuesday, April 12 |
noon |
Houston Hall,
Golkin Room |
Thursday, April 14 |
noon |
Perelman School of Medicine,
BRB Auditorium |
Monday, April 18 |
11 am |
Houston Hall,
Golkin Room |
Monday, April 25 |
noon |
Houston Hall,
Golkin Room |
Attend a Fair
Representatives from Penn’s healthcare providers and administrators will be onsite to share information and answer questions. Learn about medical plans, prescription drug coverage, dental plans, vision coverage, flexible spending accounts and the Penn Benefits Center.
At the Open Enrollment and Wellness Fair at Houston Hall on Tuesday, April 19, you can also take advantage of free health screenings and other wellness activities and information that will be available.
Date |
Start Time |
Location |
Tuesday, April 19 |
10 am–2 pm |
Houston Hall,
Hall of Flags |
Wednesday, April 20 |
10 am–2 pm |
New Bolton Center, Alumni Hall |
Review Your Life Insurance Beneficiary
You may update your life insurance beneficiary as often as you like at www.pennbenefits.upenn.edu After logging on, click Enrollment Opportunities, then Declare Life Event and select Beneficiary Designation Change. You can choose as many beneficiaries as you’d like, whether a spouse, child, other family members or friends. You can even choose an entity like a charity, trust or your estate as your life insurance beneficiary. Please note that this beneficiary designation applies only to your life insurance plan.
A Focus on Wellness
Be in the Know, Penn’s Wellness Campaign
Penn’s Be in the Know wellness campaign supports you in reaching your health and wellness goals. Participants earn points toward cash incentives when they complete the Core Actions (a biometric screening and online health assessment) and Bonus Actions. The more you do, the more points and cash you’ll earn—up to $180 (less applicable payroll taxes). Visit www.hr.upenn.edu/beintheknow for more information.
Penn’s Behavioral Health Benefits
Penn’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides eligible faculty and staff and their immediate family members access to free, confidential counseling and referral services for personal and professional life issues. EAP services are available by phone, online and through face-to-face sessions. Call Penn Behavioral Health 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-321-4433 or visit www.pennbehavioralhealth.org
More Benefit Information
Aetna Life Essentials
With your Aetna Life insurance coverage, you get access to Aetna Life Essentials, which gives you access to these free or low-cost services:
Financial Services: Financial planning and accelerated death benefits
Legal Services: Wills, living wills, other legal forms and documents, estate planning
Emotional Services: End-of-life, grief and bereavement counseling
Physical Services: Vision, hearing and fitness discounts
Visit www.aetnalifeessentials.com for more information.
Smartphone Apps for Aetna and Independence Blue Cross
Download your medical provider’s Android or iPhone app to find a doctor, check benefits and coverage information, estimate cost of care and check your medical ID card information. Search for Aetna or IBX in the app store to find your provider’s app.
Health Care Rates for 2016-2017
|
Full-time
Weekly Paid |
Full-time
Monthly Paid |
|
Single Coverage |
Employee & Spouse |
Employee & Child(ren) |
Employee & Family |
Single Coverage |
Employee & Spouse |
Employee & Child(ren) |
Employee & Family |
MEDICAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PENNCare |
$44.54 |
$111.00 |
$74.77 |
$138.00 |
$193.00 |
$481.00 |
$324.00 |
$598.00 |
Aetna Choice POS II |
$30.23 |
$77.77 |
$51.23 |
$96.69 |
$131.00 |
$337.00 |
$222.00 |
$419.00 |
Aetna HDHP |
$18.23 |
$48.00 |
$30.69 |
$60.00 |
$79.00 |
$208.00 |
$133.00 |
$260.00 |
Keystone HMO |
$20.54 |
$55.15 |
$34.62 |
$68.31 |
$89.00 |
$239.00 |
$150.00 |
$296.00 |
DENTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PFPP |
$8.39 |
$16.46 |
$18.56 |
$26.18 |
$36.35 |
$71.32 |
$80.41 |
$113.43 |
METLIFE |
$5.98 |
$11.95 |
$13.16 |
$17.94 |
$25.91 |
$51.80 |
$57.02 |
$77.74 |
VISION |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Davis Vision |
$1.05 |
$2.27 |
$1.70 |
$2.89 |
$4.55 |
$9.83 |
$7.36 |
$12.52 |
VSP |
$1.45 |
$3.13 |
$2.36 |
$3.99 |
$6.28 |
$13.57 |
$10.21 |
$17.31 |
—Division of Human Resources
Related: Human Resources: Upcoming April Programs
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