Stanford encourages employees to review and confirm medical plan coverage for 2017

Open Enrollment, which begins Monday, Oct. 24, and extends through Friday, Nov. 11 (11:59 p.m. PT), is the annual opportunity for employees to make changes to their health benefits, and to add or drop eligible dependents from coverage.

If employees choose not to take action during Open Enrollment, their coverage will “roll over” and reflect the 2017 premiums.

Each year, employees must re-enroll in the following plans: Health Savings Account (HSA), Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and the Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Employees who have been awarded a Child Care Subsidy Grant (CCSG) from Stanford must log into the My Benefits portal during Open Enrollment to accept the grant.

University Human Resources (UHR) provides extensive information and live sessions so employees are able to review and confirm their health and life plans. Those who don’t will have to wait until the next Open Enrollment to make changes, unless they experience a qualifying life event, such as marriage, adding a dependent or a change to their job status.

Among the other changes, which are outlined below in more detail: Aetna will replace Blue Shield as the administrator for the EPO plan. The university will offer free employee-only coverage through Kaiser Permanente HMO, which is the lowest-cost plan in 2017.

Employees enrolled in the Stanford Health Care Alliance (SHCA), which was the lowest-cost plan this year, will notice their contribution rates increased more than the other medical plans in 2017. As of Oct. 10, after continued collaboration with SHCA and discussions with university leaders, the 2017 SHCA contribution rates for employees and pre-65 retirees have decreased from the rates initially published in September. The updated rates are now posted on the Open Enrollment microsite.

How to learn more

Visit the Open Enrollment microsite to review details about Benefits Open Enrollment choices.

Stanford Benefits will host Open Enrollment Fairs, information sessions and webinars to help employees and retirees understand their options in 2017. Check out the full list of employee and retiree events to find a date that works best for you.

The Open Enrollment fairs for employees (Oct. 27, Nov. 2, Nov. 7, Nov. 8) bring together more than a dozen Stanford providers in one room so you may ask questions and learn more about their services. Participating providers include Kaiser Permanente, Aetna, Blue Shield, Stanford Health Care, Genworth, Delta Dental and Vanguard, along with BeWell@Stanford, the Health Improvement Program of Stanford Medicine and the Stanford WorkLife Office. Free flu shots will also be provided at the fairs by Occupational Health Services.

Stanford’s staff of benefits experts will hold 11 hour-long information sessions at various campus locations between Oct. 18 and Nov. 10. Staff experts will provide an overview of Stanford’s health plans, as well as details of what’s changing and what’s staying the same. Each session will close with a brief Q&A session. NOTE: No representatives of plan providers will attend the information sessions.

Keeping health care costs manageable

Randy Livingston, vice president for business affairs, said keeping health care plan costs low for employees has been a challenge for the university.

Nationally, health care costs have continued to climb and are expected to rise 5.8 percent annually through 2024, according to recent reports. Stanford is not immune to that trend. Factors such as an aging population, chronic illnesses, costs of medications to treat illnesses and higher costs of health care in the San Francisco Bay Area all contribute to the rising cost of health care. In addition, health care spending is fueled by the increased use of fee-for-service health plans (when doctors/hospitals get paid for each service performed, e.g., PPO/preferred provider organization) versus fully insured plans such as Kaiser.

“We recognize that increased rates are an ongoing concern for employees, retirees and their families,” Livingston said. “The university continues efforts to keep health care costs manageable while offering health benefits that support the varying lifestyles and well-being of our employees and retirees.”

What will stay the same?

Stanford will continue to offer an EPO (exclusive provider organization), but it will be administered by Aetna, rather than Blue Shield. In addition, Stanford will continue to offer the Blue Shield Healthcare + Savings Plan, the Blue Shield ACA Basic High Deductible Health Plan, Kaiser Permanente HMO and the Stanford Health Care Alliance (SHCA) plan.

Stanford, which offers free employee-only coverage through the lowest-cost plan, will continue to offer that benefit to employees who enroll in the Kaiser HMO.

The university continues to offer vision and dental plans as part of its comprehensive health care benefits.

Stanford will continue to offer benefits-eligible employees a financial incentive and other rewards to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors through BeWell program. Overall financial incentives will remain the same in 2017.

All benefits-eligible university employees who complete the Stanford Health and Lifestyle Assessment (SHALA) and the Wellness Profile by Nov. 30, 2016, are eligible to receive a taxable wellness incentive ranging from $200 to $480, depending on their participation level.

Spouses and registered domestic partners of participating benefits-eligible university employees are eligible for a $240 taxable wellness incentive. Employees who earn six “BeWell Berries” or participate in a Healthy Work Environment can receive a $100 taxable incentive.

The Health Care FSA maximum election will remain $2,550 in 2017.

The Health Savings Account (HSA) maximum limit for families will remain $6,750 in 2017.

What will change?

The Stanford Health Care Alliance (SHCA) plan will not be the lowest-cost plan in 2017. However, the SHCA plan is lower cost than both the EPO and the Blue Shield Healthcare + Savings plans when the difference in deductibles is taken into account.

As SHCA enrollment has grown over the past three years to more than 5,000 participants and 10,000 total members, the rate increase reflects the cost of delivering care for the growing population and their diverse health care needs.

The other significant changes in 2017 are:

• The EPO plan will be administered by Aetna in 2017. Stanford recommends that employees check the Aetna Select (Open Access) network to confirm any preferred providers are in the network, and to review Aetna’s prescription formulary to verify prescription drug co-pays. NOTE: The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF) care providers are still covered in the Aetna network.

• Kaiser Permanente HMO has expanded service to Santa Cruz County.

• Employees who enroll in the Blue Shield Healthcare + Savings Plan or the Blue Shield ACA Basic High Deductible Plan are eligible to enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA). In 2017, employees and retirees under 65 can contribute more to their HSA. The new limit is increasing to $3,400 for individual-only HSAs. Family limits remain unchanged at $6,750.

“Benefits programs are an important factor of the employee experience,” said Elizabeth Zacharias, vice president for human resources. “We know the range of benefits offered influences our ability to engage and retain top talent. It is important we continue to evaluate our benefits offerings to fit every stage of life – from millennials to those preparing to retire.”

New benefit: Coverage for pets

Stanford has teamed up with Nationwide Insurance to offer benefits-eligible employees pet insurance for their dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets. Under Nationwide’s plans, employees can opt for a Pet Wellness Plan, a Major Medical Comprehensive Plan or a combination of both. Additionally, they can continue to see their family veterinarian because the insurance is accepted by vets worldwide.

Free identity theft protection

Stanford has partnered with AllClear ID to offer no-cost identity theft protection services to faculty and staff. Active, benefits-eligible employees can access two services to help protect their personal information: credit monitoring and identity theft repair.

Make your elections easier with the updated portal

When ready to enroll, employees can visit the Cardinal at Work website and log into My Benefits (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards/my-benefits) using their SUNet ID and password, or University ID number and Benefits PIN. Once logged in, follow the instructions to enroll.

When making Open Enrollment elections online, employees may notice a new look and navigation. Users should find it easier to make elections and manage dependents. With the new Document Upload tool, employees can provide required documentation to Stanford Benefits electronically, without having to mail or fax it in. Stanford Benefits recommends printing a confirmation statement when making Open Enrollment elections online.

Additionally, through My Benefits, employees can chat live with a University HR Service Team specialist or submit an online form if they have questions or need guidance on Open Enrollment elections. Remember, the deadline to take action is Nov. 11.