Voluntary Options Are Available During Annual Benefits Enrollment

Medical and dental benefits enrollment will run Nov. 1-30, and as University of Cincinnati employees review and make benefits selections for 2015.

During the enrollment period, you will be able to choose between two medical plans for 2015: a High Deductible Health Plan/Health Savings Account (

HDHP/HSA

) Plan and a Preferred Provider Organization (

PPO

) Plan. Find out more about these options.

In addition, from Nov. 3-26, two voluntary options – one to provide financial assistance during a critical illness and one providing accident insurance – will be offered to UC employees; however, these voluntary benefit options will not be available through the online ESS enrollment by which employees access and select their medical and dental benefits.

Instead, you enroll in these two voluntary insurance options by calling insurance carrier Unum at 800-601-5800 between Nov. 3-26. Enrollment is only available during these dates.

These options – Unum’s

Critical Illness Insurance

and

Accident Insurance

– are available to you and your spouse/domestic partner without regard to your health.  No medical questions will be asked. You can also purchase coverage for your eligible dependents. 

Critical Illness

Critical Illness Insurance

can help fill a financial gap if you or a covered family member experiences a severe, life-threatening illness. This year, you have the option of electing a group Critical Illness policy. This benefit goes above and beyond the coverage provided under UC’s medical plans by supplementing your finances while you or a loved one deals with and recovers from a serious illness. In short, your medical insurance takes care of your health while Critical Illness coverage takes care of your finances.

Upon diagnosis with a covered critical illness, you can receive an immediate lump-sum benefit. You can use those funds any way you choose. Coverage is guaranteed, and you can only elect to enroll in this benefit during the Nov. 3-26 benefits enrollment period.

Accident Insurance

Accident Insurance

is designed to protect your finances by helping you pay for the unexpected costs associated with an accidental injury. Accident Insurance includes benefits for a wide range of common injuries and covered accidents. If you become injured, Accident Insurance will pay you a direct cash benefit. The amount of money you receive depends on the type and severity of your injury and can be used any way you choose. Coverage is guaranteed; however, you can only enroll in this benefit during the November benefits enrollment period.

$50 Wellness Benefit

Both the Critical Illness and the Accident Insurance plans include a $50 Wellness benefit. If you or your covered spouse/domestic partner undergoes any one of 26 wellness exams, the plans’ Wellness benefit pays $50. All you need to do is contact Unum. If you receive more than one wellness screening test and you are covered under both plans, the wellness benefit is available under both plans.

For more information about the new plans go to

www.uc.edu/hr/benefits/choice_benefits/accident-and-critical-illness-voluntary-benefit-plans

.

See Recent Benefits News:

• Attend one of the Open Session Presentations on Health Benefits
  
• Get Ready for 2015 Annual Benefits Enrollment
• See Online Information about Transition to Anthem and 2015 Medical Plans
• UC Plans to Contract with New Vendor, Anthem, for Administration of Medical Benefits