The Annual Transfer Period for benefit changes runs from October 15, 2009 through November 16, 2009. Changes in coverage will become effective January 1, 2010, and participants must remain enrolled in their current healthcare and dental coverage until December 31, 2009. The only exception is for individuals enrolled in an HMO or POS plan who move out of their designated service area.
Employees who are currently enrolled in the Flexible Spending plan must complete a new enrollment form to continue the plan in 2010. Employees who are enrolled in a health care or dental plan automatically receive pre-tax deductions of their premiums through the flexible benefits plan. Employees who wish to opt out of the pre-tax deduction of premiums may do so using the flexible benefit enrollment form.
Health Insurance Benefit Changes Effective January 2010
BENEFIT CHANGE FOR 2010 PPO Deductible and Coinsurance Seasonal flu, H1N1 and pneumococcal vaccinations are exempted from the deductible and coinsurance when using either in-network or out-of network providers PPO, POS, HMO Pharmacist-Administered Vaccinations Members are allowed to receive pharmacist-administered seasonal flu, H1N1 and pneumococcal vaccinations Prescription drugs- Flu Copayments for Tamiflu and Relenza are reduced from tier three ($75) to tier two ($25) Prescription Drugs- Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) Coverage for brand name proton pump inhibitors- a group of medications typically used to treat stomach acid problems- is excluded for Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid, Priolosec, Protonix, and Zegerid unless prior authorization is requested by your doctor and approved.
- The health insurance premiums for 2010 will increase by 6%. There will be two premium-free months (December 2009 and January 2010).
- There are no changes to the PrePaid dental insurance premiums for 2010, however the PPO premiums have increased. If you are adding dental coverage with dependents not currently insured on your medical plan, you must provide dependent verification information. Coverage for dependents/spouses will not be effective without appropriate documentation.
- Optional Life - UNUM Provident will offer eligible participants the opportunity to increase their optional term or universal life by a guaranteed issue of $5,000. Employees may also apply for or increase or decrease existing optional life policies during the annual enrollment period.
- Basic Life Insurance - In prior years,the State of Tennessee automatically provided basic life insurance coverage for employees who were enrolled in a health care plan. Beginning in 2008, this benefit was also extended automatically to eligible employees who are not enrolled in a health care plan.
Handbooks
Click on the links below to view the 2010 handbooks.
Forms
Use the forms below to make changes to your benefits for the 2010 plan year.
- Basic Life Beneficiary Designation (For new insurance enrollees, this document must accompany the Enrollment-Change application. For those not enrolled in Health Insurance, this form must also be completed if you choose to designate a beneficiary for your Basic Term Life coverage offered by the State of Tennessee.)
Assistance
If you have questions, or need assistance with completing forms, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 963-5281.