Open Enrollment 2000-2001: April 17-28
You will soon have the opportunity to elect your benefits for the new plan year, July 1, 2000, to June 30, 2001, during the annual Open Enrollment period that begins April 17 and runs through April 28, 2000.
You can conveniently enroll via the Internet or by calling the Penn Benefits Center. The Internet web page provides links to provider directories and allows you to enroll on-line, 24 hours a day, and print your confirmation statement at the time of your enrollment. You can log on from your home or office or use a computer at either of the following locations: Rosengarten Reserve (ground level of Van Pelt-Dietrich Library) or Todays Penn Partnership Office (3550 Market Street, Suite 110). You may also enroll by calling the Penn Benefits Center at 1-888-PENNBEN (1-888-736-6236).
Look for additional Open Enrollment information in Almanac in upcoming weeks, including publication of the health care rates for the plan year 2000-2001.
New for 2000-2001
- Reimbursement on the Prescription Drug Plan will now be at 90% for generic drugs and 70% for brand name drugs. This includes mental health drugs. If there is no generic substitute for the brand name or if the physician does not allow a generic substitute, reimbursement will be at 90%.
- The Prescription Drug Plan, which is administered by PCS Prescriptions, will be administered by Caremark Prescription Services. Please note, HUP pharmacy has been added as a participating pharmacy for your convenience. As is the case currently, you will not have to make a separate election for this coverage.
- The co-pay differential between the UPHS network of physicians and the other physicians in the Point of Service (POS) plan and HMOs will be eliminated in order to simplify the administration of the plan. This will generally mean a $5-$10 increase in co-pays for the UPHS network in the POS and a $5 co-pay increase for the Aetna and Keystone HMOs.
- The number of mental health inpatient days has been increased from 30 or 35 days to 60 days for the Aetna and Keystone HMOs and in-network portion of the Point of Service (POS) plan.
Benefits Fairs
The following Benefits Fairs will give you the opportunity to talk with providers and pick up new provider directories:
- April 18--Sheraton University City Hotel, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- April 20--New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Health and Welfare representatives will be available from:
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- PENNCare
- Keystone
- Aetna US Healthcare
- Caremark
- Penn Faculty Practice Plan
- MetLife
- Clarity Vision
- CNA Insurance
Additional information on other benefits/ programs not subject to Open Enrollment will be available from:
- TIAA-CREF
- Vanguard
- HR Benefits/Hewitt Assoc.
- PennFriends
- Quality of Worklife
Change of Address? Please advise your Business Administrator so that your mailing address will be updated in the system.
--Division of Human Resources
Almanac, Vol. 46, No. 25, March 21, 2000