2011 Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment for 2011 is here!. See below for Dental, Medical and Flexible Spending Account Information. If you have any questions, please contact Deb Gagnon, Manager of Benefits, Compensation & HRIS, at deborah.gagnon@merrimack.edu or x5194.

Link for self service open enrollment:

https://adp.eease.com/

 

OPEN ENROLLMENT TIMEFRAME

Open Enrollment for your 2011 benefits will occur from Thursday, November 11th to Tuesday, November 30th. Open enrollment is the only time of year that you can enroll, terminate or make changes to your medical and dental benefits without a qualifying life event.

All benefit eligible employees will receive an email when open enrollment begins explaining how to log on to our self service ADP system along with a password.

BENEFITS FAIR

On Thursday, November 11, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., we will hold a Benefits Fair in the Community Dining Room to provide you with the opportunity to meet representatives from each carrier and ask questions.

2011 OPEN ENROLLMENT HIGHLIGHTS AND CHANGES

Dental

Change in carriers – Effective January 1, 2011, Merrimack’s dental carrier will change from MetLife to Blue Cross Blue Shield. This change was made to offer improved benefits at a lower cost.

Your previous dental plan election will not carry over to 2011, so you must enroll in a Blue Cross Blue Shield dental plan if you would like to purchase dental insurance. Blue Cross Blue Shield’s high and low plans offer similar or improved benefits to MetLife’s.

HIGH PLAN	In-Network	Out-of-Network*
Preventive Care	100% (no deductible)	100% (no deductible)
Basic Care	100% (after deductible)	80 % (after deductible)
Major Care	60% (after deducible)	50% (after deductible)
Deductible	$50 - Individual, $150 Family
Calendar Year Maximum	$2,400

LOW PLAN	In-Network	Out-of-Network*
Preventative Care	100% (no deductible)	100% (no deductible)
Basic Care	100% (after deductible)	80 % (after deductible)
Major Care	No Coverage	No Coverage
Deductible	$50 - Individual, $150 Family
Calendar Year Maximum	$750

The Blue Cross Blue Shield network includes 90% of dentists in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. If your dentist is not in the network, Blue Cross Blue Shield will reimburse 90% of reasonable and customary charges.

Dental Plan - Blue Cross Blue Shield 2011 Monthly Cost

	High Employee	High Family
12 Month	$24.86	$72.25
10 Month	$29.83	$86.69
8 Month	$37.29	$108.37

	Low Employee	Low Family
12 Month	$21.38	$62.13
10 Month	$25.66	$74.56
8 Month	$32.07	$93.20

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Medical

Merrimack will continue to offer the same PPO and HMO plans through Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Merrimack’s medical costs increased approximately 20% over 2010; this increase will be shared by both employees and the college. The large increase is driven by the fact that our claims were higher than average in 2010.

*Your previous medical plan election will carry over to 2011.

There will be no plan design changes other than the following changes resulting from national health care reform.

• Preventive care is covered with no cost-sharing (deductibles, copayments, and co-insurance) in-network
  • Services include, but are not limited to immunizations, screenings, and preventive exams
• Adult children can remain on their parents’ health insurance to age 26. If your child previously lost eligibility for the plan due to age or student status, you may add him or her to your medical plan during open enrollment.

The HMO deductible expense covered by Merrimack College will now be paid directly to the provider by HR Concepts. You will no longer be receiving a check from HR Concepts along with an invoice to pay.

Health Plan - Harvard Pilgram 2011 Monthly Cost

HMO
	Individual	Dual	Family
12 Month	$98.30	$275.24	$368.63
10 Month	$117.96	$330.29	$442.35
8 Month	$147.45	$412.86	$552.94

PPO
	Individual	Dual	Family
12 Month	$132.97	$372.31	$498.63
10 Month	$159.56	$446.77	$598.35
8 Month	$199.45	$558.46	$747.94

Flexible Spending Accounts

Merrimack College offers flexible spending accounts (FSA’s) administered by HR Concepts. Flexible Spending Accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses. You may set aside up to $5,000 for medical and $5,000 for dependent care for 2011.

Keep your Visa Card: HR Concepts will not be issusing new cards. Monies will be transferred into your current card for 2011.

National health care reform brought the following changes to flexible spending accounts beginning in January:

• Over-the-counter drugs/medications will not be considered Flexible Spending Account-eligible expenses as of January 1, 2011 unless prescribed by a doctor (note: of “medical necessity” does not suffice). However, other over-the-counter items such as first aid, diabetic supplies, and vision supplies will remain eligible without a prescription.
• Flexible Spending Account reimbursements are allowed for eligible adult children provided the child will not reach age 27 during the tax year

You must enroll for a Flexible Spending Account and/or Dependent Care Account each year by completing the enrollment form and returning it to the Personnel and Payroll Services Department during Open Enrollment.

If you choose to sign up for a Flexible Spending Account, predicting your expenses as accurately as possible is very important because you will forfeit any funds for which you do not submit eligible claims.