You won’t need to watch your blood pressure for this news; just hold onto your paychecks and celebrate.
Health insurance premiums for 2007 will remain exactly the same as this year for full-time faculty and staff at the University of Nebraska.
“We’re very happy about keeping prices unchanged for medical and dental insurance offerings,” said Keith Dietze, director of universitywide benefits. “It has been many years since premiums did not increase. In fact, I can’t remember the last time this happened.”
All NU employees should receive the 2007 NUFlex benefits packet, which provides more complete details regarding benefits, price tags and enrollment.
But Dietze doesn’t want anyone to miss the good news: No increases in medical or dental insurance premiums for any of the three available medical options and no increases in co-pays or deductibles.
Dietze pointed out that some part-time faculty and staff, as well as NU retirees, may see increases in health care premiums. A small portion of Medicare-eligible NU retirees will see a slight increase in their health premiums, and non-Medicare eligible retirees will see higher premiums in several categories.
Generally, however, the health insurance situation is very healthy and Dietze said there are a variety of reasons why.
“This is the result at least in part to our ongoing efforts,” he said. “We have worked hard over the past few years to implement new health insurance programs that allow us to keep costs down. By keeping on the edge of new health trends, we have managed to stay ahead of the curve.”
Dietze highlighted programs specifically related to wellness, disease prevention, and prescription drugs, especially greater use of generic drugs. He’s also enthusiastic about an enhanced and expanded disease management program to actively assist people with chronic medical conditions, which employees will learn more about in coming weeks.
All NU campuses and their benefits departments have supported and been very helpful in these efforts, Dietze said.
“I think everyone has jumped on the bandwagon; everyone is doing their fair share, pulling hard to try to keep costs down,” he said. “We’ve also had valuable input from the Universitywide Benefits Committee.”
Dietze also believes NU employees are taking greater responsibility for their own health care and personal medical costs.
“We’re seeing increased use of generic drugs,” Dietze said. “Claims are down. People are taking better care of themselves.”
He stressed there are no guarantees for the future.
“No one can predict what will happen after 2007,” Dietze said. “But, working together with faculty and staff, we will continue striving to put together the best and most economical benefits package possible for our employees.”
For more information consult your NUFlex benefits material or contact the UNMC Benefits Office at 559-5911.