University of Missouri System

Strategic Communications

Spectrum

Volume 33, Number 5, October 2006

Faculty & staff benefits announce open enrollment, new vision program

University of Missouri employees have until Nov. 10, 2006, to change their benefits during the annual open enrollment period. No action is required for those employees who do not want to make changes to their enrollment.

Medical premium rates for active employees in 2007 will not increase for the UM Choice Plus POS program or the Catastrophic program. There will be about a 16 percent increase in premium rates for Humana HMO, available only in Kansas City.

Dental premium rates for active employees in 2007 will increase 8 percent effective Jan. 1, 2007, with monthly premiums ranging from $13.64 for an employee; $27.30 for an employee and spouse; $33.12 for an employee and children; and $46.76 for an employee, spouse and children.

New to the University of Missouri benefits package is a comprehensive vision program offered to both employees and retirees. Employees may select either a full service plan or a discount plan offered through VSP. VSP providers can be found by visiting their website at www.vsp.com.

For the full service plan, monthly premium rates for active employees in 2007 will be $6.00, employee; $12.00, employee and spouse; $13.00, employee and children; and $20.60, employee, spouse and children. Those who choose to enroll in the full service vision program must complete the vision section of the enrollment form and return it to their campus benefits office.

With the full service plan, services obtained from out-of-network providers will be reimbursed at the out-of-network reduced amounts. The same co-payments(s) and limitations on services will apply as services obtained from VSP doctors. Bills for services from out-of-network providers may be submitted to VSP for reimbursement up to the amounts specified.

Employees who do not select the full service plan are eligible for the VSP discount plan, only available to employees and their family if no one in the family is enrolled in the full service plan. There is no premium cost for the discount option, which offers 20 percent discounts on exams, prescription glasses and frames every 12 months, among other discounts. The discount option does not require enrollment and is only available from a VSP provider.

Those who participate in the Flexible Spending Account program (FSA) must re-enroll each year for that account. Effective Jan. 1, 2007, the maximum amount that employees can contribute to their Health Care FSA will increase from the current $3,000 to $4,500 per year.

Employees will receive detailed information about the benefit plan changes in the mail in October. Retirees also will receive a mailing with information on the new vision program and the applicable retiree premiums.

Meetings on the annual enrollment change period and benefit changes will be held on each campus and at University Hospital. More information can be found online.

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