NUFlex open enrollment, the annual period for university employees to enroll in or make changes to University of Nebraska benefits plans, is Nov. 17 to Dec. 5.
For the seventh time in nine years, health care premiums for medical and dental benefits will not increase for full-time employees. Brian Schlichting, assistant director of university-wide benefits for the University of Nebraska system, said deductibles and prescription drug copays also will not increase in 2015.
"Our employees' are doing a great job using their health care benefits, taking advantage of things like wellness programs and increasing usage of generic drugs, to help us maintain steady premiums," Schlichting said. "Credit also goes to good management within the benefits and leadership from my predecessor Keith Dietze, who retired earlier this year."
The NUFlex open enrollment period is the only time university employees can make benefits package changes during the calendar year. Open enrollment is completed through the Firefly employee portal.
One primary change is the addition of a "Bronze" level benefits plan for eligible employees in positions that range from .75 to .95 full-time employment. Schlichting said the plan satisfies Affordable Care Act requirements of offering an affordable health insurance option.
Information about the Bronze plan will be mailed to eligible employees.
"It is important that employees who qualify for the Bronze plan compare the premiums, deductible, coinsurance and stop-loss amounts before making their final selections on a plan," Schlichting said.
Schlichting stressed that all employees must designate their individual tobacco and nicotine use during the NUFlex period.
"Even if you are making no changes in coverage, it is important that you complete enrollment," Schlichting said. "Employees who do not complete the designation of tobacco and nicotine use, or do not see it listed on the final confirmation statement, will be paying tobacco-use premiums in 2015."
Employees can also complete the Health Risk Assessment to receive enhanced wellness benefits and set flexible spending account levels.
Wellness benefits available through completion of the HRA include an annual preventative care allowance of $300 for adults and $600 for children ($250 and $500, respectively without the HRA); free generic drugs if ordered through the Caremark mail service (zero copay); and a free colonoscopy (100 percent coverage) every 10 years starting at age 50.
Employees have the option to create flexible spending accounts for both health care and dependent care. The accounts hold a designated amount of pre-tax pay in reserve for medical and dependent care bills. The maximum designation for the health care FSA is $2,550 for individual adults. The maximum annual designation for dependent care FSA is $5,000. The minimum designation for both FSA types is $480 annually, or $40 per month.
All other benefit premiums — including dental, vision care, life insurance and long-term disability — will remain unchanged from 2014.
Schlichting said NUFlex information sessions will be offered online at https://connect.unl.edu/nuflexenroll. The sessions are 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 17 and 25. The sessions will allow participants to ask questions. They will also be archived online.
When enrollment is complete, Schlichting said a NUFlex confirmation form will be automatically emailed to employees for review.
Other important 2015 benefits notes include:
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield is offering a smartphone/mobile device app that allows enrollees access to deductible and copay information and a doctor/hospital finder. For more information, go to http://www.nebraskablue.com/mobile.
• The process to apply for new or increases in life insurance policies will again be paperless. All forms are now completed through Assurity via links on the NU benefits website.
• The "Employee Plus One" option is again being offered by the university. The program allows employees to extend benefits coverage to an adult designee of the same or opposite gender who has: lived with the employee for at least 12 consecutive months and intends to remain so; is at least 19 years old; is directly dependent upon or independent with the employee, sharing a common financial obligation that can be documented; and is not currently married to or legally separated from another individual. Enrollment in the Employee Plus One option must be completed in the UNL benefits office by 5 p.m. Dec. 5.
Employees who have questions about benefits should contact the UNL Benefits office at 402-472-2600 or in 32 Canfield Administration Building.
— Troy Fedderson, University Communications