The Fall 2013 Open Enrollment (OE) period for all Maryland state insurance benefits is now underway and will continue until Wednesday, October 16.
OE offers eligible faculty, staff and retirees (including eligible direct- pay employees: contingent staff, lecturers and part-time faculty) the opportunity to evaluate and compare their current benefits coverage to the coverage and costs for the plan period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. Changes can usually be made during OE without any special enrollment restrictions.
This year’s OE will be voluntary; therefore, individuals who have no changes or corrections to their plans do not need to take any action. However, regular employees who would like to have flexible spending accounts (FSA) between January 1 and December 31, 2014 must re-enroll during this upcoming OE. Remember that OE does not affect or involve either of the USM benefit plans (Unum Group Life and Long Term Disability insurance).
Changes to Take Effect January 1
While the premium rates for active enrollees (both regular and direct pay) will remain the same for the new plan year beginning January 1, 2014, there are two significant changes to the Maryland state insurance program:
- New separate out-of-pocket maximums for copayments for medical services, including emergency room copays. Starting on January 1, 2014, once out of pocket copayments reach the maximum ($1,000 for an individual /$2,000 for a family) no additional copayments will be required for the remainder of the plan year. This maximum only covers copayments and not coinsurance which retains separate out of pocket maximums.
- Enhanced Prescription Drug benefit for all Medicare-eligible retirees. Effective January 1, 2014, the State’s prescription drug plan will “wrap around” the Medicare Part D Standard prescription drug plan. This will happen automatically and will result in no changes to retiree’s copays or out of pocket maximums, nor will it require any direct interaction with Medicare Part D. And in most cases, the actual monthly premium cost for the coverage will be less than it was in 2013.
Details for this OE period, including the new benefits booklet which shows these changes, along with the premium rates for 2014 and details about the Affordable Care Act, are posted on the state’s website.
T3 is used as the primary means to share additional information about Open Enrollment so
be sure to check it often for updates and reminders!
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x46018, email: dcurtis@towson.edu or Gail
Price, x46017 email: gprice@towson.edu.
