Open Enrollment Deadline.  The deadline for the calendar year 2006 employee benefits open enrollment period is midnight on Friday, Nov. 18.  Please keep in mind that your participation in the Open Enrollment process for 2006 is mandatory if you wish to maintain benefits. If you do not make a benefit election for 2006, the default will be NO COVERAGE for calendar year 2006. Federal regulations do not permit an employer to place any employee into a benefit plan choice which requires a contribution.

You may make your benefits election by logging into MyHRWeb and then selecting the Online Open Enrollment link. You will need your FlashLine or Lotus Notes login or password. If you do not know your password or login information, contact the Help Desk at 330-672-4357, and they will be able to provide you with the information and assist you with logging in. Once you are in the Open Enrollment system, you will be able to complete your 2006 benefits election in five minutes or less!

This Web site is designed to address inquiries from Kent State University employees about the current health insurance benefits and the changes to those benefits for calendar year 2006. The university has been very open about the need to change the health benefits as of Jan. 1, 2006. This site summarizes prior communications and addresses some of the frequently asked questions that employees have raised.

Health benefits are not a simple topic to explain. The overall strategy is important, but details are also important to our employees. Visit this site frequently for ongoing updates and take the opportunity to ask questions about the proposed changes.

e-Inside Special Editions.  For a comprehensive view of this year's open enrollment choices, read the e-Inside Special Edition series of essential communications for all employees eligible for health, vision, dental and life insurance benefits.

Open Enrollment Employee Meetings.  Employee meetings are scheduled throughout the open enrollment period to give employees an opportunity to learn more about the 2006 benefit plans. This schedule is designed to give employees several opportunities to attend a meeting either in person or through a video conference (V-Tel). The presentations will take about an hour, followed by additional time for questions. 

Employee Contributions. The employee contribution schedules for 2006 are available. Remember that the rates for medical, prescription drug, and vision are used to determine these contributions. Dental contributions are also included on a separate schedule for all payrolls.

• Contributions based upon a 12-month payroll
• Contributions based upon a 10-month payroll
• Contributions based upon a 9-month payroll
• Contributions based upon a biweekly payroll 
• Dental plan contributions

Vendors.  Based on the outcome of the Request for Proposal process, the university will retain Medical Mutual of Ohio as a vendor for 2006 and will add Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield as the alternative network, replacing EmeraldHealth.  This action was approved at the Aug. 31 Board of Trustees meeting. Find out if your doctors and hospitals are included in the Anthem or Medical Mutual networks.

Kent State is committed to employees' financial protection, which a good benefits program provides.  The 2006 benefits program offers some of the most cost-efficient and effective programs ever, with an eye toward the university's overall health strategy, which will emphasize wellness and prevention.

Questions? Send your questions to 2006benefits@kent.edu. Questions of a general nature will be addressed here.

Q.  In reviewing my health care options for 2006, I see that there will be two different co-pays, one for a primary care physician (PCP) and one for a specialist.  What types of medical practitioners are considered primary care physicians?

A.  The new health benefits for 2006 include two different levels of co-payment for office visits. The co-pay for an office visit to a primary care physician (PCP) will be $15; the co-pay for an office visit to a specialist will be $30. 

The following medical practitioners are considered primary care physicians, and office visits billed to these practitioners are subject to the $15 co-pay.

• nurse practitioner
• physician assistant
• obstetrician
• gynecologist
• general practitioner
• family practitioner
• doctor of internal medicine
• pediatrician

All other specialty practitioners, such as rheumatologists or dermatologists, are considered specialists and would be subject to the $30 co-pay.

(11/02/05)

Read answers to previous questions in the Question and Answer Archive.