UUA Health Plan
2008 Benefit Enhancements
Based on the feedback we have received from plan members, we
have made three significant and valuable improvements to our plans for 2008:
- We have added an annual comprehensive routine eye exam, with no deductible
- Adult immunizations will be covered without a deductible
- Outpatient Mental Health Visits will increase from 20 to 40 per calendar year
Coinsurance levels will continue to vary among plans. Be sure to review all plan details.
Expanded Eligibility
We have been able to respond to your requests to broaden eligibility for the plan in two ways:
- We are lowering the threshold for participation to 750 hours worked per year, down from the current 1,000 hour requirement. We hope that the expanded eligibility reaches many who still do not have coverage.
- Responding to input from seminarians, we will specifically recognize the eligibility of all interns in candidate status, who work at least 750 hours per year for a UU congregation, whether paid or unpaid, or as a Community Minister.
Rate Stability
When we first announced our intention to create a UUA Health Plan, we emphasized the importance of owning and operating our own plan for the benefit of our congregations, affiliated organizations, and self-employed community ministers. One of our goals was to create enough financial stability that we could offer better rate predictability than the broader market. This year we have made solid progress toward creating a rate stabilization fund. With that fund in place, we will be able to offer our plans at an increase of only 4% over the 2007 rates. We achieved this position even as we improved the plan for 2008 to meet your expectations in some important benefit and eligibility areas.
Four Plan Choices for 2008
Subscribers may select a Standard Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) that offers many in-network routine and preventive services at 100% after modest co-pays and most other services at 90% after a $500 deductible. A higher deductible and larger coinsurance percent apply if out-of-network providers are used. The plan includes preferred access to thousands of physicians, hospitals, and other providers coast-to-coast, and a prescription drug plan.
Subscribers have a choice of two High Deductible PPO Plans that each offers a lower-cost alternative for those who want protection against catastrophic events combined with affordable access to preventive services. One plan is eligible to be paired with a Health Savings Account; the other is not HSA eligible but has more accessible prescription drug coverage. Those interested in a High Deductible Plan should review the coverage details carefully.
In addition to the three PPOs, we offer a Medicare Supplement plan for those 65 and over enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B.
All plans use the Blue Cross Blue Shield provider network. You can select your own physician from more than 720,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield providers from coast-to-coast, whenever you need care. No primary care gatekeeper is required. All of the major specialties such as obstetrics, gynecology, cardiology, oncology, urology, pediatrics and various surgical specialties are included in Blue Cross Blue Shield network. Medicare networks may be limited in some areas.
All plans offer complete portability across the United States; the plan goes with you if you change jobs within UU organizations, with no new eligibility tests. We know from talking this past year with interim ministers that the UUA Health Plan has become an essential part of planning for future moves.
Questions can be directed to the UUA Health Plan Director or Health Plan Coordinator.
For more information contact healthinsurance @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
