The spring 2005 Open Enrollment period for all Maryland state insurance benefits is now underway and will continue through Wednesday, June 15.
OE offers all eligible faculty and staff, including eligible direct pay employees (contingent staff, part-time faculty and lecturers) and retirees, the opportunity to examine and evaluate their current coverage and compare with the coverage and costs for the new plan year July 1, 2005-June 30, 2006. Changes can be made during Open Enrollment usually without any special enrollment restrictions (except for term life and Long Term Care insurance) and will be effective on July 1, 2005. This Open Enrollment is voluntary, therefore no action will be necessary if no changes or correction are needed unless a regular employee wants to have flexible spending accounts during the new plan year.
Distribution of Materials: OE materials are currently being distributed by campus mail to all regular faculty and staff employees. Any regular employee who has not received their OE packet by Wednesday, June 1 should contact either Dave Curtis or Gail Price in the OHR Benefits Unit to request one if they want to enroll or make any changes for the new plan year. All pertinent OE information including rates, details of changes especially concerning the prescription drug plan and dependent eligibility requirements, are available on the State of Maryland Open Enrollment link on the OHR homepage http://wwwnew.towson.edu/adminfinance/hr/ under News and Announcements.
Special Note for Retirees and Direct Pay Employees: If you are currently enrolled in any of the MD State benefit plans, your OE packet is being mailed to you at your home address directly from the Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Those who are not currently enrolled must request an OE packet from the OHR Benefits Unit; you will not automatically receive any OE materials. Also, direct pay employees must have an active contract as of July 1, 2005 in order to receive OE materials and be eligible for coverage beginning July 2005.
Prescription Drug Plan News: DBM has notified us that the information in the new Benefits Summary booklet and the prescription drug flyer in the OE packets relating to the special ?test-site? on CaremarkPCS? Web site will not be operational during OE. Anyone who would like to check on co-pays or eligibility of a particular prescription drug should simply access the CaremarkPCS website from the State of Maryland Open Enrollment link listed above. Click on State of Maryland 2006 Plan Design then Look Up Drug Coverage and Pricing and follow the prompts to check co-pays etc.
Additional information will be included in future Daily Digest updates.
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x46018, email: {dcurtis@towson.edu} or Gail Price, x46017 email: {gprice@towson.edu} in the TU Benefits Unit with any OE questions or concerns.
