Open enrollment season is quickly approaching, and George Washington University faculty and staff will once again notice changes to the university’s benefits plan offerings for the new plan year, which begins on Jan. 1.
“We are pleased that GW’s plans continue to be highly competitive when compared with other employers nationally, regionally and in higher education,” said Sabrina Ellis, vice president for human resources.
There will be changes to employee contributions, prescription drug copays and the university’s life and disability insurance vendor. There is also a welcome change for employees who are planning to become parents: a paid parental leave benefit. Also, a new Wellbeing Hotline provides employees free access to specialists who can offer a number of work-life support services.
“There are a number of plan design changes, so I think it’s important for employees to take a close look,” said Erica Hayton, director of benefits and wellness at GW. “It is always important, whether or not there are changes, for employees to choose what makes sense for them and their families.”
The average increase for health care premiums will be 12.5 percent more than in 2013. Ms. Ellis attributed the cost increase to increased utilization by plan members, new fees associated with the Affordable Care Act and an anticipated increase in enrollment in the university plan.
“Rising health care costs are a common reality for most organizations that offer employee benefits,” Ms. Ellis said in a memo sent out to faculty and staff.
Open enrollment is an annual opportunity to amend benefits — medical, dental, flexible spending accounts, life insurance and vision — for the upcoming year. This year’s will take place from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31. Changes to health plans after this period will require a qualified life event, such as a change in marital status, birth, spouse’s work status or coverage.
The names of the three health care plans, formerly called Choice Plus Blue, Choice Plus Buff and Choice, will be changed to Choice Plus-Basic, Choice Plus-Medium and Choice High-Premium (in-network only).
“We feel these new names will make it easier for our GW community to recognize and understand the different plans,” Ms. Ellis said.
There will also be changes to the design of these three health care plans, including increases to the deductibles on the Basic and Medium plans and increases in the copay for specialist visits as well as increases in individual out-of-pocket costs related to hospital visits on all three plans.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to our faculty and staff committee that reviews our benefits costs throughout the year and partners with us to manage cost increases,” said Ms. Ellis.
Though employee contributions will rise in the upcoming year, GW’s health care plans remain competitive when compared with peer institutions. The Basic Plan — in which the majority of faculty and staff participate in — will cost $99 per month for employee-only coverage and $453 per month for family coverage in 2014. The average cost for employee-only coverage and family coverage for public and private colleges in 2013 was $110 and $435 respectively, according to data from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources. It is expected that these average costs will increase in 2014. GW also provides coverage for bariatric surgery, compared with 60 percent of peer institutions, as well as hearing aids for adults and infertility treatment, compared with 30 percent of its peers.
Last year, GW began a new Maintenance Choice Prescription Program with CVS/Caremark that enabled employees to receive the lowest total copay for 90-day prescriptions filled at CVS pharmacies or through CVS/Caremark mail order. This program will continue in 2014. But as the costs for prescription drugs continue to rise, copays will also increase. Beginning in 2014, prescription drug copays will increase to $15 for generic, $35 for preferred brand and $70 for non-preferred brand (prescription drugs with a generic equivalent).
Additionally, GW will be switching the university’s life, accidental death and dismemberment and disability insurance plans from Unum to the Standard — a leading life and disability insurance vendor.
The new year brings good news for soon-to-be mothers and fathers. Beginning in 2014, full-time staff members with at least two consecutive years of benefits-eligible service will be able to receive six weeks paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child. The new benefit is part of GW’s commitment to make the university a family-friendly environment for its employees.
And one last new service — the Wellbeing Hotline — is a toll-free phone number employees can call for advice with personal issues, free counseling financial and legal assistance as well as personalized referrals to outside resources.
To assist employees, the university will offer benefits fairs on Oct. 8, Oct. 11, Oct. 15 and Oct. 24 as well as several benefits overview sessions. Employees can register for overview sessions here.
The call center number is 1-888-4GWUBEN (449-8236). Faculty and staff can also take advantage of Health Advocate, an independent health care advocacy and assistance company that can answer questions about healthcare options and provide assistance finding physicians and medical institutions.
Starting Oct. 1, employees can make changes to benefits via the university’s web-based enrollment system at http://benefits.gwu.edu/annual-open-enrollment.