Important 2009 Information from
UW Oshkosh Human Resources

To: All Faculty, Academic and Classified Staff
From: Tim Danielson, Interim Director of Human Resources

NOTE: Dual Choice has a new name. It is now titled It's Your Choice Open Enrollment

It's Your Choice is a benefits open enrollment period for health and other insurances. This period of time offers you an opportunity to switch healthcare providers,  learn about changes to your current insurance benefits, and enroll in other insurances that are having an enrollment period.  Open enrollment dates and details can be found on the Human Resources site here: http://www.uwosh.edu/hr/benefits/benefityourchoice.php

Information and materials will be provided electronically via your campus email account and the Internet.

Here's more information:

1. Working cooperatively with the Department of Employee Trust Funds, the UW System Service Center, and UW Oshkosh Academic Computing, Human Resources will send emails in early October to faculty, academic and classified staff eligible for various benefit changes/opportunities during the " It's Your Choice Open Enrollment " period starting October 5, 2009. If you are eligible for more than one benefit you can expect to receive more than one email from us, e.g. health insurance, employee reimbursement account, dental insurance, vision insurance.

For your convenience and further access, these emails will be placed on the Human Resources It's Your Choice Open Enrollment web page at http://www.uwosh.edu/hr/benefits/benefityourchoice.php

2. The 2010 It's Your Choice Reference Guides. The It's Your Choice health book details changes to uniform health benefits, the description s of health plans, notable plan and program changes, etc. There are several changes to the health coverage this year so be sure to watch your email and review the book for details. Some coverage changes include Domestic Partner, dependent coverage through the age of 26, hearing aids and cochlear implants for infants and children, autism spectrum disorders, and more. View basic information regarding the new provisions here: http://etf.wi.gov/news/Summary_Act_28.pdf

No action is necessary if you do not want to change plans or change coverage.

Check the 2010 It's Your Choice Book for coverage updates. http://www.uwosh.edu/hr/benefits/benefitsyourchoicebook.php

3. Health insurance premiums effective January 1, 2010 (November payroll month)

a. Non-Represented Employess (including Faculty, Academic Staff, and Project Appointments) - Those non-represented staff that have Tier 1 plans will increase to $34.00 for single and $85.00 for family coverage.

b. Classified Represented Employees - Contributions will remain the same ($31.00 for single; $78.00 for family) until bargaining units have settled.

c. Other 2010 premium rates will be made available in October.

4. Anthem DentalBlue - Employee must remain in the plan for a full calendar year unless there is a termination of employment; coverage for implants will be offered under the Preferred PPO plan.

5. New Vision Plan - OptumHealth Vision insurance will no longer be offered. VSP Vision Care is the new program.  If currently enrolled in OptumHealth, you must complete a VSP application during open enrollment to receive vision care benefits after December 31, 2009.

Be sure to watch your email for more details and visit the It's Your Choice Open Enrollment web page: http://www.uwosh.edu/hr/benefits/benefityourchoice.php

Please contact one of the following Benefits staff in Human Resources if you have questions:

Faculty and Academic Staff: Sabrina Johnson (johnsosj@uwosh.edu, 424-3008)
Classified Staff, Project Appointments: Jodi Anthony (anthonyj@uwosh.edu, 424-2070)
Limited Term Employees: Jo Fenrich (fenrich@uwosh.edu, 424-2279)
Graduate Assistants: Joel Schleis (schleisj@uwosh.edu, 424-3396)