55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775 Telephone: (860) 702-3480 Facsimile:(860) 702-3556
HEALTH CARE COST CONTAINMENT COMMITTEE
	STATE OF CONNECTICUT OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER HEALTHCARE POLICY & BENEFIT SERVICES DIVISION

Healthcare Policy & Benefit Services Division
April 19, 2010
Division Memorandum 2010-01

TO THE HEADS OF ALL STATE AGENCIES

I. INTRODUCTION

The annual open enrollment period is the only time employees may enroll in, change or add dependents to a health plan. These changes are not allowed at other times, except to allow for changes caused by or related to a change in family or work status which affects the health plan. Employees may not change plans outside the open enrollment period solely on the basis that their healthcare provider(s) are no longer in the plan network. The employee is responsible for contacting their agency personnel/payroll representative to file the appropriate forms within 31 days of the event that necessitates a change in enrollment or plan.

Open enrollment fairs will be conducted throughout the state during the 2010 health insurance open enrollment period for state employees beginning on May 17, 2010 and continuing through June 11, 2010. Coverage selected during the 2010 Open Enrollment will be effective July 1, 2010.

The purpose of this memorandum is to announce the open enrollment schedule and to provide an overview of the open enrollment process.

II. DISCUSSION

A. Plan Offerings and Changes

1. Medical Plans and Benefits - Effective July 1, 2010, the Health Net medical plans will no longer be offered to state employees and retirees. The Anthem and Oxford medical plans will continue to be offered.  Current Health Net members will be automatically changed to the comparable Oxford medical plan (POS, POE, POE-G) for July 1, 2010 coverage, unless they choose another option or an Anthem medical plan. Further details on this change will be in the HealthCare Options Planner. There will be no changes in medical benefits. Employee share increases will be announced in the Planner.
2. Prescription Drug and Dental Plans and Benefits - There will be no changes in the dental and prescription drug plans. There will be increases in the employee shares for the dental plans that will be announced in the Planner.

B. Open Enrollment Fairs - Open enrollment fairs have been scheduled through the Healthcare Policy & Benefit Services Division of the Comptroller's Office. The fair schedule has been arranged to reach as many employees as possible.  The statewide schedule of enrollment fairs is attached for posting and communication to employees. Employees may attend a fair held at any agency or location, subject to the employing agency's operating needs. No appearances by carrier representatives are to be unilaterally arranged by agencies. This policy must be followed in order to guarantee the systematic, efficient, and unimpeded planning of the state-sponsored enrollment fairs.

This year we have asked ING to provide representatives for the Open Enrollment Fairs held at larger agencies to answer questions about the Deferred Compensation Plan, Alternate Retirement Plan and 403(b) plan.  In addition, Caremark will attend the fairs to answer any questions that employees may have about the Pharmacy Benefit Program.

B. HealthCare Options Planner

The HealthCare Options Planner (Planner) that provides a comparison of the benefits among the plans will be mailed to all employees during the open enrollment period, and will also be available on the Comptroller's website. The Planner will contain information regarding applicable employee premium shares, and offer certain general guidelines to assist employees in making their choices.  No marketing literature will be included with the Planner. However, each carrier will be allowed to mail marketing material to all employees. Telephone numbers will be listed within the Planner for each carrier for those employees seeking further information on a particular plan.  In addition, the carriers will distribute plan information to each agency for examination by individual employees.

C. Enrollment Statements

Enrollment statements will not be included with the Planner or with any marketing material sent to employees, nor will carriers have enrollment statements available at the enrollment fairs. Employees electing or changing coverage may do so only through their personnel or payroll office, which will be the repository of all enrollment statements. This procedure is intended to ensure that vendor marketing efforts and enrollment processing are maintained as entirely distinct functions.

III. CONCLUSION
Payroll-related matters, including employee health insurance shares and detailed information regarding the structure of the state employee health insurance plan for fiscal year 2010-2011, and monthly rates for COBRA continuation coverage will be transmitted to agencies through subsequent communications.  Personnel or Payroll staff who have questions concerning the open enrollment process should contact the Comptroller's Healthcare Policy & Benefit Services Division, Central Benefits Unit at (860) 702 3438.

Very truly yours,

Thomas Woodruff, Ph.D.
Division Director
 

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