STATE OF CONNECTICUT
NANCY WYMAN COMPTROLLER	OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER 55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775	MARK OJAKIAN DEPUTY COMPTROLLER

COMPTROLLER'S MEMORANDUM NO. 2001-25

April 4, 2001

TO THE HEADS OF ALL STATE AGENCIES

I. INTRODUCTION

The 2001 health insurance open enrollment for state employees will be conducted from May 1 through May 30, 2001; coverage selected during the open enrollment period will be effective July 1, 2001.

The annual open enrollment period is the only time employees may change health plans, or add or delete dependents. Said changes are not allowed at other times; exceptions are allowed only 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 filing the appropriate change forms within 30 days of the event that necessitates a change in enrollment or plan.

In that connection, the purpose of this memorandum is to provide an overview of the open enrollment process.

II. DISCUSSION

A. Open Enrollment Fairs

Open enrollment fairs have been scheduled through the Retirement & 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.

B. Health Care Planner

The Health Care Planner (the "Planner") that provides a comparison of the benefits among the plans will be mailed to all employees during the open enrollment period. 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, but each carrier will be allowed to mail marketing material to all employees. Telephone numbers will be listed 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. Open Enrollment Applications

Form CO-1048-A, "Health Insurance-Enrollment Application", and Form CO-744, "Choice of Health Insurance After Retirement", have been revised and will be available after April 30, 2001 by contacting your agency business office which, in turn, can order them through the state's forms management program vendor, Vanguard Direct. Prior versions of these forms should be discarded. Enrollment applications will not be included with the Planner or with any marketing material sent to employees, nor will carriers have applications 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 applications. This procedure is intended to insure that vendor marketing efforts and enrollment processing are maintained as entirely distinct functions.

III. CONCLUSION

Payroll related matters, including employee and retiree health insurance premiums, copayments, and monthly rates for COBRA continuation coverage, will be transmitted to agencies through subsequent Comptroller's Memoranda. Additionally, the Retirement & Benefit Services Division will issue to each agency more detailed information regarding the structure of the state employee health benefit plan for fiscal year 2001-2002, along with an advance copy of the Planner. Questions concerning the open enrollment process may be directed to the Division's, Health Care Analysis Unit at (860) 702-3535.

Very truly yours,

Nancy Wyman

State Comptroller

NW/SW/NM

Enclosure

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