For the second year in a row, premiums for medical insurance in 2008 for University of Nebraska faculty and staff will not increase and in some cases will decrease. In addition, 2008 will see a more focused effort on wellness.
“Plan members deserve a great deal of credit,” said Keith Dietze, director of Universitywide Benefits. “I believe they understand if we all work to hold down claims, the net result is no necessary increases in premiums for active employees.
“At the same time, we’ve worked hard behind the scene with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Caremark in plan design, monitoring costs, and communicating with participants to keep medical insurance premiums affordable. We’re very proud to announce we’re holding costs for the second year in a row.”
Further, Dietze said that 2008 will mark the kickoff of a new universitywide wellness program answering a challenge made by NU President James B. Milliken — and endorsed by the universitywide benefits and wellness committees — to be phased in over the next few years. The first phase of that program will begin with opportunities to help employees quit smoking.
“Administrators at the university value the well being of our faculty and staff and fully support the goal of making wellness a part of our culture on our campuses,” Dietze said. “An important measure of any workplace is the health of its employees. This institution values doing everything we can to encourage our employees to have a healthy work-life balance.”
NU employees should receive the 2008 NUFlex benefits packets the week of Nov. 19, and the packets provide more complete details regarding benefits, costs and enrollment procedures. Enrollment for your 2008 university benefits will begin on Monday, Nov. 19, and end on Friday, Dec. 7.
Meanwhile, Dietze wants to stress the good news — medical insurance premiums will remain exactly the same in 2008 for full-time faculty and staff enrolled in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Basic and High option. In addition, medical deductibles, annual out-of-pockets limits and prescription drug copays will remain the same as well.
Almost as important is the introduction of a new pricing/design strategy for the low option plan, creating a valuable, low-cost option for persons who are willing to accept a higher deductible and out-of-pocket limit in exchange for a lower premium. Under this revised approach, premiums for those enrolled in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Low option will decrease by 23 to 38 percent, depending on the coverage category in which they are enrolled.
“This is no accident,” Dietze said. “One of our objectives is to offer a moderately priced plan for those employees who seldom use medical care or services.”
Dietze also said he is delighted to announce the initiation of a coordinated wellness program that will be phased in over the next few years, beginning with the following changes:
- Beginning in 2008, medication for smoking cessation will be included in the Caremark prescription drug plan.
- NUCredits — which employees can use to help pay for health insurance benefits — will be renamed, WellCredits. In the coming months employees will hear more about using these credits for tools and resources that can help them achieve and maintain overall wellness.
“We know that being healthy and taking care of yourself in the best way possible makes your work life more productive and satisfying,” Dietze said. “First and foremost, healthier employees are happier, more balanced people. But beyond that, healthier employees are more productive, have fewer sick days and pay lower medical bills.”
Dietze emphasized that health insurance benefits at the university are the result of several factors:
- Ongoing administrative efforts to stay on the cutting edge of new health trends such as disease prevention and greater use of generic drugs, including an enhanced and expanded disease management program that started this year to actively assist people with chronic medical conditions.
- Support from all NU campuses, their benefits department and the universitywide benefits and wellness committees.
- NU employees who are taking greater responsibility for their own health care and personal medical costs.
For complete details regarding plan benefits consult your NUFlex benefits material or contact the UNMC Benefits Office at 559-5911.