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).
Flu Shots
All active, regular faculty and staff members, retirees and their eligible dependents who are enrolled in any of the state health plans are eligible for free flu shots with no copayment if the vaccination is provided by their in-network provider during a routine well visit. If you receive the vaccination during an office visit for an illness, the usual office visit copay will apply. In-network providers can also include retail pharmacies such as CVS, Rite Aid, Target or Walgreens; be sure to check with the provider to confirm their in-network status before you get your vaccination. Also please keep in mind that you should not use your Express Scripts prescription card to obtain a flu shot–you must use your state health plan card. Retirees with Medicare will also have to use their Medicare card in addition to their state health plan card to obtain their flu shot.
Individual Mandate Requirement
All the coverage options under the state of Maryland’s Employee and Retiree Benefits program meet the minimum value standard of the Affordable Care Act when a medical plan election is combined with prescription drug coverage. According to the Maryland State Department of Budget and Management (DBM) no guidance has yet been issued as to whether or not a partial or pro-rated penalty will be assessed if an individual is only enrolled in the medical plan and not both medical and prescription coverage as of January 1, 2014. The Employee Benefits Division cannot answer whether or not individuals enrolled only in medical coverage through the state program need to enroll in prescription coverage as well. Further clarification on this point will be posted in future T3 open enrollment updates once additional information is received. In the meantime, employees who may be affected by this situation should access marylandhealthconnection.gov for more specifics concerning possible penalties.
Details for this OE period, including the new benefits booklet along with the premium rates for 2014 and details about the Affordable Care Act, are posted on the state’s website at http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Pages/HBHome.aspx.
T3 is utilized 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 at x4-6018 and dcurtis@towson.edu or Gail Price at x4-6017 and gprice@towson.edu.
