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2008
Open Enrollment for Retiree Vision Plan Ends April 30
A new vision plan for retirees is now open for enrollment. UC is pleased to offer retirees this plan for the first time. The plan benefits will model the Vision Service Plan (VSP) benefits currently available to UC employees.
[April 4, 2008]
New UC Wellness Program
Now Available
Employees represented by UC-AFT and SETC can participate in the StayWell program beginning May 1, 2008.
[Updated March 17, 2008]
Health Net To Adjust Pharmacy Co-pays for Former PacifiCare Members' Maintenance Drugs
[February 22, 2008]
Vision Plan Available to Retirees in April
[January 30, 2008]
Notice Regarding
Maintenance Drugs to Retirees Who Transferred from PacifiCare
to Health Net
[January 14, 2008]
Notice Regarding
Maintenance Drugs to Employees Who Transferred from PacifiCare
to Health Net
[January 14, 2008]
Health Care Reimbursement Account Spending Cards for 2008
[January 11, 2008]
New UC Employee
Wellness Program Launches January 15
The new UC wellness and personal health management benefits
program will soon launch. View frequently
asked questions and information about
UC's StayWell Health Management Program
[January 8, 2008]
Information on Health Net ID Cards
[January 7, 2008]
2007
Information on 2008 Medical Insurance ID Cards
[December 21, 2007]
Health Care Reimbursement Account: More Merchants Will Authorize Card Purchases in 2008
The list of retail locations where eligible health care expenses purchased with your HCRA spending account card will be automatically authorized is expanding as of January 1, 2008. (More general information about HCRA )
[November 8, 2007]
Annual UC Medical Plans Rating of Care Released
The results of the annual survey of UC medical plans member satisfaction are now available.
[October 17, 2007]
Lower Than Expected Medical Benefits Cost Increases, with Preserved and/or Enhanced Benefits
[September 19, 2007]
Update on UC's Medical Plans for 2008
[September 6, 2007]
Sun, Travel and Therapeutic Recreation
[July 9, 2007]
June is National Safety Month
Summertime and warm weather are upon us, and the UC Living Well website offers a section with articles and information on how to keep you and your family safe as you enjoy the sun. [June 6, 2007]
Information for UC Employees Regarding UC's 2007 Medical Plan Bid Process
[January 19, 2006]
UC Living Well Portal
At Your Service will be launching a new UC Living Well portal this month that will provide links to UC wellness programs, and to your medical plan, its health risk assessment offerings, and its wellness services. Look for a link to the UC Living Well portal on the At Your Service home page. [January 19, 2007]
2006
HCRA – Frequently Asked Questions About the Spending Account Card
[October 16, 2006]
HCRA and TIP Help Employees Take Charge of Health Care Expenses
The UC Tax Savings on Insurance Premiums (TIP) Program combined with a Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) can reduce your taxes – and lessen the impact of medical plan premium increases. [October 5, 2006]
Final 2007 Health Insurance Rates for Employees and Retirees: Start Planning Now
Last week, the University of California distributed an "Update on 2007 Compensation" that provided an overview of your total compensation at UC and medical plan rates for 2007. [September 29, 2006]
Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) Adds Spending Account Card for 2007
During November Open Enrollment, sign up for the UC Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) program – with new spending account card convenience in 2007. [September 8, 2006]
HCRA and TIP Help Employees Take Charge of Health Care Expenses
The UC Tax Savings on Insurance Premiums (TIP) Program combined with a Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) can reduce your taxes – and lessen the impact of medical plan premium increases. [October 5, 2006]
2006 Health and Welfare Audit Begins
UC is conducting its annual random audit of employees, retirees and their family members enrolled in UC-sponsored health and welfare plans. [May 9, 2006]
2006 Health and Welfare Audit
In May 2006, UC will conduct its annual random audit of employees, retirees, and their family members enrolled in UC-sponsored health and welfare plan(s). [February 6, 2006]
2005
DepCare and HCRA "Use it or Lose it" Deadline Extended
The University has added a grace period following the end of the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DepCare) and Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) plan year which enables 2005 enrollees to incur eligible expenses and be reimbursed from their unused 2005 account balances before those amounts are forfeited. [December 21, 2005]
UC to Provide Greater Oversight of Compensation Policies, Practices
The University of California announced a series of actions designed to provide greater oversight and understanding of UC compensation policies and practices. [December 20, 2005]
2004
Certain Military Beneficiaries May Not Have to Pay Late Enrollment Surcharge for Medicare Part B Premiums
Nearly 35,000 uniformed services Medicare beneficiaries who are eligible for TRICARE Health Benefits will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B without having to pay a surcharge for late enrollment. [September 15, 2004]
Insurance Eligibility for Family Members
UC HR/Benefits is currently conducting the first annual random audit to verify the eligibility of family members who are enrolled in employees' and retirees' insurance plans. [April 19, 2004]
2003
UC Offers Definity Health Plan
The University of California will offer the Definity Health consumer-driven health plan as a new benefit effective January 1, 2004 to active employees at San Francisco and Santa Barbara during Open Enrollment this year. [April 15, 2003]
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
The Privacy Rule for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) becomes effective today. [April 15, 2003]
2003 CalPERS Long-Term Care Application Period
The 2003 CalPERS Long-Term Care Program application period is April 1 through June 30, 2003. [February 5, 2003]
2002
Alta Bates Medical Group Letter Sent in Error to Health Net and PacifiCare Enrollees
A letter was sent in error recently to certain Health Net and PacifiCare enrollees. [November 7, 2002]
UC Care, High Option, and Core Enrollees
Look for a letter from Blue Cross of California this week. [October 14, 2002]
TRICARE For Life Factsheet
[August 6, 2002]
Merck-Medco is now Medco Health
Merck-Medco has changed its name to Medco Health. [July 23, 2002]
Insurance Plan and Evidence of Coverage Booklets Added to Website
New insurance plan booklets and Evidence of Coverage (EOC) booklets have been added to our website. [June 19, 2002]
UC Selects Medical Plan Carriers for 2003
The University selected Blue Cross of California to provide an array of medical plans to UC employees, retirees, and their eligible family members beginning January 1, 2003. [June 19, 2002]
Information Regarding Health Benefits for Opposite-Sex Domestic Partners
As a result of the Regents action to extend certain retirement benefits to eligible UC employees with same-sex or opposite-sex domestic partners, the University is receiving inquiries about whether UC-sponsored health and welfare benefits will be extended to opposite-sex domestic partners. [May 24, 2002]
Health and Welfare at a Glance—New Online Application
We are pleased to announce a new employee self-service online application called Health and Welfare at a Glance. [May 3, 2002]
Medical Benefits Survey
[April 23, 2002]
UC Care Pharmacy—"Refill-Too-Soon" Message
A "refill-too-soon" message is being added to UC Care's pharmacy claim system. [March 1, 2002]
Year 2003 Medical Program Bid
[February 27, 2002]
2002 CalPERS Long-Term Care Plan Application Period
The 2002 application period for the CalPERS Long-Term Care Program will be 4/1/02—6/30/02. [January 30, 2002]
Medical Plan Members Receiving New ID Cards
[January 2, 2002]
2001
Health Net and Sutter Sign Contract
Good news for Health Net members who use Sutter hospitals, medical foundations, and IPAs! Health Net of California and Sutter Health System have signed a two-year contract for continued service through December 31, 2003. For UC members, the contract applies to employees, annuitants (including Seniority Plus Medicare members) and their family members. [December 5, 2001]
HHS Announces Medicare Premium and Deductible Rates for 2002
Read this October 19th press release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. [October 22, 2001]
Aetna Announces HMO Withdrawal from 11 California Counties
[June 14, 2001]
Change in Biweekly Premium Payments
For employees paid on a biweekly payment schedule, UC is modifying the way it withholds the employee's portion of medical, dental, vision, and legal premiums. [March 7, 2001]
Tax Verification for Family Members
Tax verification requests regarding family members are being mailed this week. [March 6, 2001]
CalPERS Long-Term Care Plan Application Period
The application period for CalPERS Long-Term Care Plans is April 1—June 30, 2001. [February 20, 2001]
UC Care Mailing
In January, UC Care will send a Certificate of Creditable Coverage to each of its members. [January 17, 2001]
2000
Health Net's Website for UC Employees
Health Net has just launched a website for UC employees only. [October 27, 2000]
Contract Terminations: PacifiCare
[October 13, 2000]
Long-Term Care News
Read about latest developments with CalPERS and TIAA-CREF. [August 4, 2000]
CalPERS Long-Term Care Application Period Extended to July 31, 2000
[June 26, 2000]
UC Care/Sutter Health System Reach Agreement
Contract negotiations between Aetna U.S. Healthcare/Prudential HealthCare and Sutter Health System have been successful. The contract was signed by both parties late yesterday, June 14, 2000. [June 15, 2000]
Medical Plan Evidence of Coverage Booklets Available Online
Evidence of Coverage booklets for the majority of UC-sponsored medical plans are now available online. [June 8, 2000]
TIAA-CREF Announces New Long-Term Care Program
TIAA-CREF is discontinuing the Teachers Long-Term Care Plan and replacing it with an improved plan called Teachers SelectCare, which should be available in California in July. [June 2, 2000]
UC Care Retail Prescription Reimbursement Process
Important information for UC Care members. [April 18, 2000]
Tax Verification Requests
Tax Verification Requests are being mailed this week to UC employees and annuitants.[March 29, 2000]
VSP's Laser Vision Update
Beginning April 1, 2000, the Vision Service Plan (VSP) Laser VisionCare(SM) program will be available to UC employees and their enrolled family members. [March 22, 2000]
UC Survey of Medical Plan Member Satisfaction
A survey will be sent in early April to members of certain UC-sponsored medical plans. [March 22, 2000]
Attention Medicare Enrollees in California!
Read about the new discount prescription medication program for Medicare enrollees in California. [February 9, 2000]
CalPERS Long-Term Care Plans Application Period
The application period for CalPERS Long-Term Care plans is April 1 through June 30, 2000. [February 4, 2000]
UC Care Members—Accessing your Prescription Coverage
Here is an important reminder about prescription coverage for UC Care members. [February 2, 2000]
1999
Certificate of Creditable Coverage
Medical carriers send these certificates to all members who leave their plan. [December 15, 1999]
Health Net and Santa Cruz Medical Clinic Sign Contract
Health Net and the Santa Cruz Medical Clinic have signed a contract for years 2000 and 2001. [December 14, 1999]
UC Irvine Medical Group Cancels Health Net Contract
The UC Irvine Medical Group has announced that its contracts with Health Net Seniority Plus (Medicare Plan) will be canceled effective 12/31/99. [December 13, 1999]
Health Net Update: Sutter Health/Santa Cruz Medical Clinic
Read about the contract between Sutter Health/Santa Cruz Medical Clinic and Health Net. [November 24, 1999]
Open Enrollment Ends On Monday, November 22 At Midnight!
If you were considering making an Open Enrollment change this year, you need to act now. Open Enrollment ends at midnight on Monday, November 22. No changes can be made after that time. [November 12, 1999]
Correction: Kaiser Service Area Information
Annuitant Open Enrollment packets were mailed in late October. Unfortunately, there was some incorrect information about the Kaiser/Senior Advantage service area for the year 2000. [November 10, 1999]
Provider Termination for PacifiCare/Secure Horizons: Brown and Toland Medical Group/San Mateo
Effective October 1, 1999, the Brown and Toland Medical Group in San Mateo will no longer be a participating provider within the PacifiCare/Secure Horizons network. [September 9, 1999]
Aetna's Acquisition of Prudential HealthCare
Aetna's acquisition of Prudential HealthCare may be of interest to UC employees and annuitants enrolled in UC Care, Prudential High Option, and Core. [July 14, 1999]
CalPERS Long-Term Care Application Period Extended to July 31
Read this if you are interested in applying for long-term care coverage. [July 14, 1999]
UC Selects California Medical Plan Carriers for 2000
The University of California has selected the companies to offer medical plans to UC employees, retirees, and their families beginning January 1, 2000. [June 9, 1999]
CalPERS Long-Term Care Application Period Ends June 30
The 1999 Application Period for the CalPERS Long-Term Care Program is April 1 through June 30, 1999. [June 9, 1999]
PacifiCare—1999 EOC Addendum
The PacifiCare medical Plan has distributed an Addendum to their Evidence of Coverage (EOC) brochure. [March 16, 1999]
Acquisition of Signature LegalCare
GE Capital's recent acquisition of The Signature Group will have no effect on 1999 rates and benefits for UC's legal plan, Signature LegalCare. [February 11, 1999]
1998
Notification of Rights under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act
The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 was enacted in October. [December 22, 1998]
Prudential Healthcare Business Acquired by Aetna
Read about this recent acquisition. [December 21, 1998]
UC Will Not Sponsor Long-Term Care Plan.
[August 17, 1996]