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

Division Memorandum 2011-02

TO THE HEADS OF ALL STATE AGENCIES

I. INTRODUCTION

The annual open enrollment period generally held in May was delayed this year due to SEBAC discussions. The state employee health insurance annual open enrollment period will be held from August 22, 2011 through September 15, 2011 for coverage effective October 1, 2011. This memorandum discusses enrollment procedures and how employees can access information about available health plan choices and premiums.

During open enrollment, employees may change medical and/or dental plans, add or drop coverage for eligible family members, or enroll in coverage if they previously waived it. This is the only time employees may enroll in or change a health plan. These changes are not allowed at other times unless an employee experiences a qualifying event, such as marriage, divorce, civil union, birth, adoption, legal guardianship or loss of other health insurance coverage by an eligible dependent. 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.

II. DISCUSSION

A. Plan Offerings and Changes

1. Medical Plans and Benefits - Full details of plan choices will be available in the HealthCare Options planner that will be posted on the Comptroller's website, osc.ct.gov.  There are some changes to the medical plans, which include 100% coverage for preventive care (zero co-pay), a $35 co-pay for emergency room visits, and the offering of the Health Enhancement Program.

2. Dental Plans and Benefits - There will be no changes in the dental plans. There will be increases in the employee premium share for the dental plans that will be in the Healthcare Options Planner posted on the Comptroller's website osc.ct.gov. 

3. Pharmacy Plans and Benefits - Use of mail order for maintenance drugs will be mandatory effective October 1, 2011. After that day, employees can fill their first prescription for an ongoing medication (30 day supply) at their local pharmacy. After that, refills for maintenance medications must be filled through the CVS/Caremark mail-order pharmacy, a CVS pharmacy, or a retail pharmacy that chooses to join the State of Connecticut Maintenance Drug Network, which is currently being developed.

B. Open Enrollment Fairs - Due to the limited timeframe, Open Enrollment fairs have been scheduled across the State at locations where multiple agencies would be able to attend. The statewide schedule of enrollment fairs is attached for posting and should be communicated to employees. Employees may attend a fair held at any agency or location, subject to the employing agency's operating needs.

This year ING will be available to answer questions about the Deferred Compensation Plan, Alternate Retirement Plan and 403(b) plan. In addition Transamerica the new vendor for Long-term care insurance will be attending.

C. HealthCare Options Planner

The HealthCare Options Planner, which details the plans, will be available this year on the Comptroller's website osc.ct.gov.  The Planner contains information regarding applicable employee premium shares and offers certain general guidelines to assist employees in making their choices. Contact information for each carrier is listed in the Planner for any employee who has specific questions on the plans.

D. Enrollment Statements

Enrollment statements will not be included with the Planner or in 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.

E. Enrollment in the Health Enhancement Program

Employees who choose to voluntarily enroll in this program must do so during Open Enrollment. On-site enrollment will be available at the Open Enrollment fairs, employees may also enroll by accessing the enrollment tool online at www.cthep.com.  Manual enrollment forms will be available on the Comptroller's website for those that do not have access to the internet. Employees can fill out the enrollment and mail them to: OSC, Healthcare Policy and Benefit Services Division, 55 Elm St, Hartford, CT 06106. All enrollments into this program must be completed by September 15, 2011.

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 2011-2012, 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 at (860) 702-3535.

Very truly yours,

Thomas Woodruff, Ph.D.
Division Director

Attachments:

BiWeekly Medical/Prescription Rates 7/1/2011-6/30-2012 (PDF)

BiWeekly Dental Rates 7/1/2011-9/30/2011 (PDF)

BiWeekly Dental Rates 10/1/2011-6/30/2012 (PDF)

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