Benefit Enrollment and Information System Change
We are extremely pleased to introduce the New Benefits Online Enrollment process, as part of our continued cost and service improvement efforts. USNH is leveraging technology to provide you with direct access to your benefits information.
- Moving to this web-based, self- service, automated system makes it possible for you to review/enter your benefit elections anytime day or night, on a 24 hour basis, during the designated Open Enrollment Period.
- This change also allows us to streamline benefits administration and processes as well as enhance our record-keeping system.
- MyUSNHBenefits.net provides you with a more comprehensive look at your benefits.
- With online enrollment, you can experience greater flexibility in choosing the benefits that best fit you and/or your family's needs.
- You will have the ability to add or modify your insurance beneficiaries at anytime during the year.
- As other online features (i.e., enrolling in the USNH Retirement Program) become available information will be shared.
Medical Coverage Carrier change
As a result of a competitive bid process*, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare (HPH) was determined the best match to USNH's interests based on:
- Accolades for superior member satisfaction and clinical quality as documented from the NCQA (National Committee for Quality Assurance) which is a highly-regarded, independent organization which rates health plans. Harvard Pilgrim was rated the Number 1 health plan nationally by this organization.
- Result of Reference Checks with current Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare clients
- Confirmed excellent customer service.
- In addition, current clients reported they receive unsolicited positive feedback from their employees.
- Confirmed excellent customer service.
- Commitment to contact all current Primary Care Physicians used by USNH employees to seek their participation in HPH’s network.
Link to new Carrier: http://www.harvardpilgrim.org/usnh
*Bid Process - RFP was sent to 7 “pre-qualified” bidders (i.e. those with the capacity to deliver our plan) requesting bids for the exact plan design of our current carrier . Three companies submitted competitive bids (Anthem, CIGNA and Harvard Pilgrim) Analysis of bids was based on a pre-determined grid of weighted factors with the heaviest weight being given to cost, fullness of the network of providers and service/quality ratings. All of the vendors had strong provider networks and competitive cost proposals (though two were more competitive than the third). The selection/screening committee had representatives from each institution.
Employee Medical Contributions ~ policy change
Costs for health care continue to rise and the USNH Benefits Cost Containment Committee members have been and will continue to work together to address the spiraling cost of healthcare.
As noted in the policy (link provided below), the percentage of contributions that you pay will increase by 2%.
For an employee with HMO Family Coverage she/he will pay 16% and USNH will pay 84% of the total cost beginning January 1, 2007.
Employee Contribution Policy Change: http://usnholpm.unh.edu/USY/V.Pers/A.2.htm
Medical Rate (Premium) change
The medical rate is the $ value you contribute towards the total cost of the particular medical plan you elect. You will notice a change in your employee medical rate (premium) effective January 1, 2007. Remember, deductions for your health care coverage and flexible spending accounts are withheld from each paycheck on a before-tax basis.
|
HMO Option/Family Coverage * – reflecting 2007 Employee/Employer Costs |
||
|
Bi-Weekly |
Annually |
Employee |
$98.21 |
$2,553.36 |
Employer |
|
$13,405.08 |
Total Premium |
$15,958.44 |
|
*Most widely selected Option/Level of Coverage
Response/Action: alleviate the impact of increase in Employee Contribution Rate
USNH is committed to providing the best coverage possible and to controlling the costs of healthcare. To help minimize the rising costs, strategies to address/alleviate the 2007 Employee Medical Contribution increase are as follows:
- Status employees who were employed in non-union, benefits-eligible positions on June 30, 2006, and had an annualized salary of $40K or less (based on the full-time equivalent salary for those less than 100%) will receive a one- time bonus payment of $400 in January 2007.
- A voluntary option for all status employees to elect to cash-in up to one week of accrued Vacation or Earned Time in order to alleviate the impact of the increase and/or to be used for other items at the employee’s discretion.
Vacation/ET Cash-Out Examples, Based on 5 days |
|
Annual Salary |
Amount of Payout* |
$30,000 |
$576.92 |
$40,000 |
$769.23 |
$50,000 |
$961.54 |
*Taxes (based on additional pay) will be withheld. |
|
Your campus Human Resources Office will be sharing further details regarding the voluntary option to cash-out up to 5 days of accrued Vacation or Earned Time.
Emphasis on Wellness ~ The USNH’s Embrace Life Fully Program (ELF), has for the past twenty-five years offered a broad approach in wellness programming and services to faculty and staff members. Developing a healthy lifestyle along with early detection and intervention in identifying health risk factors may delay or avoid ill health and many diseases. Both our Harvard Pilgrim (HPH) Plan and the USNH Wellness program provide opportunities for individuals and their families to stay informed and develop healthy lifestyles.
- USNH's goal is to offer members the opportunity to become knowledgeable and satisfied participants in the management of their own health.
- Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and the USNH Wellness program offer informative and educational programming in the form of health screenings, workshops, educational classes, prevention clinics, lecture series and support groups.