If employees missed the UCSB Benefits Office’s first survey of open enrollment changes last week, another such review of “highlights” will be presented on Nov. 14 at 12:05 p.m. in SAASB 3101. It is one of half a dozen free, special sessions benefits staff will present at this time of year to enhance employees’ understanding of their open enrollment options and plan changes.

With the dropping of PacifiCare HMO and substitution of mental health providers as well as the reshaping of some medical plans’ benefits (see Oct. 22 issue of 93106), there are many reasons to make time to attend campus information meetings. One nugget is that “all UC medical plans will (now) provide preventative care visits at no cost to members,” said Laura Morgan, UCSB health care facilitator. By that she means no co-pays for preventive physical exams, most inoculations, and well-baby care to age two.

Besides the highlights overview, specific medical plans’ benefits will be compared on Thursday, Nov. 8, and on Nov. 19 at 12:05 p.m. in the Human Resources Learning Center, SAASB 3101. The new CIGNA Choice Fund medical plan is the topic on Nov. 13 at 1:30 p.m. in the center.

All these meetings are listed online at HR’s Web site <http://hr.ucsb.edu/benefits/workshops_meetings.php> under “Open Enrollment.”

Two sessions addressed specific retiree concerns at a pre-event to last week’s Open Enrollment Fair. Another meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 9 a.m. in the HR Learning Center will explore how Medicare coordinates with UC medical plans. Since this process comes into play after a retiree turns 65, it is a major part of retirement planning and valuable to active employees.

Delta Dental PPO, which was formerly Delta Dental, now covers an added third cleaning for pregnant women. And DeltaCare USA, which was formerly PMI, will reduce by $50 co-pays on certain inlays, and expand its coverage of endodontic procedures.

While of necessity medical coverage dominates the annual open enrollment period, which ends at midnight on Nov. 27 this year, other plans and benefits may also merit employees’ attention. For instance, ARAG, the UC legal insurance plan, is taking new enrollments this year, and the plan has added a legal defense against civil damage claims benefit.

Other changes include a rate increase for the disability insurance plan, which is not open to new members; the addition, at no extra cost, to the accidental death and dismemberment policy of an identity theft program designed to assist victims; and an expansion of the Vision Service Plan’s 20 percent discount to non-prescription glasses, including sunglasses.

The vision plan will also become available for the first time to retirees as of July 1, 2008. “Retirees will pay the full premium,” according to an Open Enrollment 2008 booklet recently mailed to all UC employees. If an employee has not received this 16-page booklet from UC Human Resources and Benefits, it can be downloaded at <http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/open_enrollment/docs/e_oe.pdf>.

For employees and retirees who are changing medical plans in 2008, this booklet offers useful information on certain illnesses and conditions that would qualify for transition of care support services. Among these are: active treatment for acute medical conditions (heart attach, stroke) or serious chronic conditions (various cancers); a terminal illness; pregnancy; trauma; scheduled surgery after Jan. 1, 2008; and hospital confinement as of Dec. 31, 2007.