Benefits enrollment opens Nov. 1: Employee contributions remain the same for third year

The University of Cincinnati’s annual benefits enrollment period for calendar year 2021 is coming up Nov. 1-30, and detailed information is available on UC’s intranet, while postcard and letter mailers are also arriving to employees’ home addresses.

Importantly, in 2021, non-AAUP employees’ share of annual and monthly healthcare premiums will remain flat for the third year in a row for those enrolled in the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and those enrolled in the HSA/High-Deductible Healthcare Plan (HDHP).

Just as importantly, when it comes to individual and family coverage, the university covers 90 percent of the monthly premiums for those employees (non-AAUP) enrolled in the HSA/high-deductible healthcare plan.

Individuals with employee-only coverage in the HSA/high-deductible healthcare plan will continue to contribute a monthly premium toward their health care as low as $47 (those earning under $40,000 annually) to as high as $69 (for those earning more than $200,000 annually). Those with family coverage under the high-deductible healthcare plan will continue to contribute a monthly premium, tiered by salary band as well, but starting at a monthly premium of $154 for those earning less than $40,000 annually.

Premiums for AAUP-eligible employees also remain remain flat and for those enrolled in the HSA/HDHP option. Premiums for AAUP-eligible employees in the PPO plan will continue to be based on the AAUP member's annual base pay.

The consistency and ability to hold the 2021 premium at 2020 levels is a significant achievement as, overall, UC’s costs for providing healthcare continue to rise. But, thanks to efficiencies, cost sharing and an emphasis on preventative practices, the university is able to maintain flat employee premium levels.

These preventative practices include Fall 2020 on-campus mammograms and flu shots, the Oct. 15 ‘Be the Change’ event, diabetes prevention programs, tobacco cessation programming and other efforts – help hold down health care costs overall. Importantly, during the current pandemic, UC continues to offer mental health benefits, including video chats with mental health care providers; phone consultations 24/7/365 with master’s/doctoral level professionals; telephone health coaching and more.

Liz Aumann, executive director of benefits, added, “When compared to other higher education institutions and other Midwest employers, UC’s benefits overall – including premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs – compare quite favorably. We know that some other Ohio public universities are increasing employees’ health premiums for the coming 2021 year. UC is also more generous in our contributions to Health Savings Accounts and more generous in terms of the 2021 deductibles.

• No changes to pharmacy co-payments.
• The PPO individual plan annual deductible is increasing from $500 to $600, paired with an annual out-of-pocket limit of $1,800 (formerly $1,700).
• The PPO family plan deductible is changing from $1,000 to $1,200 annually, paired with an annual out-of-pocket limit of $3,600 (formerly $3,400).
• Charge for a primary care office visit has been at $25 since 2016 and is now increasing to $30.
• Specialist-care visit costs has been at $45 since 2018 and is now increasing to $50.

• Individual plan deductible is increasing from $1,700 to $1,800, paired with an annual out-of-pocket limit of $3,600 (formerly $3,400).
• Family plan deductible is increasing from $3,400 to $3,600, paired with an annual out-of-pocket limit of $7,400 (formerly $6,800).
• Co-insurance percentage paid before out-of-pocket limit is met is 80% (formerly 85%).