Benefited DU Employees,

We're delighted to announce that employees will see no increase to their medical insurance premiums for the coming July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 benefit plan year. The University will continue to subsidize from 75-85 percent of the costs for employees' medical insurance. Amid the uncertainty of the current healthcare landscape, our second consecutive year of no premium increases can be contributed in large part to our groups high cancer screening and immunization rates, low obesity rates, tobacco prevalence, and overall commitment to health and wellness.

Benefited employees have three Kaiser Permanente plan choices for DU-provided medical insurance coverage: the HMO plan, HSA-qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and Triple-Option POS plan. These plans have significant differences, including the premium costs, so you'll want to learn more about your options in case you want to make changes during open enrollment May 1-15.

Throughout this past year, we monitored the usage of our medical plans and discussed possible strategies to address any projected increases in costs. The primary factors driving increase costs in health care are high-cost claimants, specialty prescription drugs and overall medical inflation. DU continues to work closely with Kaiser Permanente and our insurance broker to maintain a comprehensive and innovative medical plan design. However, given the rising cost of health care, we anticipate our costs will increase over time.

We know how important good health benefits are to you and the organization to attract and retain the best talent, which is why offering quality care benefits programs remains one of the University's highest priorities.

We can all expect the health care market to keep changing in the years ahead. As changes occur, we will continue evaluating our benefits plans to be sure we offer the right mix of quality, access and affordability.

We encourage you to use this Open Enrollment period to thoroughly review all your benefits. In the current environment, it is important for you to think carefully and actively about your choices.

Sincerely,

Laura Maresca, Vice Chancellor of Human Resources & Inclusive Community

Lloyd Moore, Director-Benefits

Benefited DU Employees,

The 2018 open enrollment runs from Tuesday, May 1 through Tuesday, May 15. Even if you aren't making any changes to your current elections, open enrollment is a good time to review what's in your plan, so you'll be prepared when you need to use it.

Benefited employees have three Kaiser Permanente Plan choices for DU-provided medical insurance coverage. While there are no changes to the benefits and coverage, copays, and coinsurance for the coming July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 benefit plan year, these plans have significant differences, including the monthly premium costs. Please take this opportunity to learn more about your options in case you want to make changes during open enrollment:

HMO Plan
The majority of DU employees choose the HMO Plan, which is the simplest plan to manage. You choose from among Kaiser Permanente health care providers, have simple copays for most covered services, and since there are no deductibles, there's no need to keep track of your expenses to know when services are covered.

HSA-qualified high-deductible health Plan (HDHP)
The HSA-qualified high-deductible health Plan (HDHP) also utilizes the Kaiser Permanente network of providers, and gives you the option to set up a tax-free health savings account (HSA), which you can use to pay for qualified medical expenses. The HSA comes in handy, as you must satisfy a deductible (which is based on a calendar year). If you enroll in this plan and open an HSA through Optum Bank, the University will contribute $26.42 per month to your HSA.

Triple-Option POS Plan
The Triple-Option POS Plan offers the most flexibility in choosing health care providers among three networks—Kaiser Permanente, Provider Healthcare Systems (PHCS) Network and non-network.

See the 2018-2019 health insurance monthly premium rates on the Benefits website, including premium discounts if you reach the required wellness program points by May 15. Get wellness program details on the [email protected] website (Please note that the rate sheet shows two Kaiser PPO plans, which are grandfathered and closed to new enrollment).

Here's what to focus on now:

Review your medical plan
Get more information about the medical plan options on the Kaiser Permanente website set up exclusively for DU. If you need more complete details, new 2018-2019 summary plan descriptions for each plan will be posted on the Kaiser website before the start of open enrollment.

Attend the Benefits Fair
May 1, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.—Ritchie Center Concourse
Representatives from Human Resources & Inclusive Community, the Shared Services Center as well as our plan vendors will be available to talk with you and answer any of your benefits-related questions.

Make time to get open enrollment support if you need it
During open enrollment, the Shared Services Center will have benefits specialists available to answer your questions and help you complete your benefits enrollment.

In-person or phone appointments with a benefits specialist can be made by logging into PioneerWeb under the employee tab. Please select "open enrollment" as your reason for scheduling an appointment.

Attend an open enrollment information session
Benefit vendors will be on hand at each session to review health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and life insurance at the following sessions:

1. Monday, April 23 from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
   Anderson Academic Commons, room 275
2. Monday, April 23 from 10:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
   Anderson Academic Commons, room 34
3. Tuesday, April 24 from 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
   Mary Reed Building, Renaissance Room
4. Wednesday, April 25 from 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
   Daniels College of Business, room 245
5. Thursday, May 3 from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
   Daniels College of Business, room 305

Work towards the Wellness Premium Discount
To qualify for the 2018-2019 wellness premium discount, eligible employees will need to reach 5,000 points in the portal by May 15, 2018. Please follow these steps to achieve this incentive:

Step 1. Log on or register for the Wellmetrics portal at http://du.mywellmetrics.com.

Step 2. Complete any activities or challenges of your choice to reach 5,000 points (Gold level) by May 15, 2018.

Please note:
There are no specific activity or challenge requirements this year. While you will get credit for completing the well-being assessment and completing your preventive care, these items are not required.

If you have a spouse or partner on your health insurance plan, they must also reach 5,000 points (Gold level) in their own Wellmetrics account by May 15, 2018.

Meet with a benefits specialist
During open enrollment, the Shared Services Center will have benefits specialists available to answer your questions and help you complete your benefits enrollment.

In-person or phone appointments with a benefits specialist can be made by logging into PioneerWeb under the employee tab. Select "open enrollment" as your reason for scheduling an appointment.

If you have questions at any time, email [email protected]

The next email on April 16 will address prescription drug coverage.

Sincerely,

Laura Maresca, Vice Chancellor of Human Resources & Inclusive Community
Lloyd Moore, Director-Benefits

Benefited DU Employees,

The 2018 open enrollment runs from Tuesday, May 1 through Tuesday, May 15. Even if you aren't making any changes to your current elections, open enrollment is a good time to review what's in your plan, so you'll be prepared when you need to use it.

This is the third in a series of open enrollment email you'll be receiving before the May 15 deadline. Each email highlights benefit options and emphasizes actions you may need to take, depending on your situation. Please visit the open enrollment webpage to view past email and detailed information regarding the upcoming July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 benefit plan year.

Prescription Drug Coverage

All of the Kaiser Permanente medical plans provide coverage for prescription drugs in the Kaiser Permanente formulary. The formulary is Kaiser's list of preferred brand-name and generic medications that Kaiser physicians and pharmacists have determined to be the safest, most appropriate and most cost-effective drug treatments.

All three plans have the same flat copays for prescriptions in three drug classifications (generic, brand and specialty) when you use a Kaiser pharmacy, but there are some differences:

• For the Triple-Option POS plan, you can use non-Kaiser pharmacies, but you'll pay more if you do.
• For the HSA-qualified HDHP, you must first meet your calendar-year deductible before you will pay the lower-cost copay amounts for prescriptions. (Note that you must use a Kaiser pharmacy.) The amount you pay for specialty drugs at in-network pharmacies will remain at a low $75 copay.

Kaiser offers the convenience of mail order refills for most prescription drugs. To determine if this service is right for you, see the Kaiser website for details on mail order refills.

Watch your home mailbox

A benefits overview that highlights 2018-2019 plan options is being mailed to benefited employees' homes this week, to help guide discussion and review of your coverage choices with family members.

Attend the 2018 Benefits Fair

Representatives from Human Resources & Inclusive Community, the Shared Services Center as well as our plan vendors will be available to talk with you and answer any of your benefits-related questions.

When: Tuesday, May 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Ritchie Center Concourse

Attend a Benefits Information Session

Benefit vendors will be on hand at each session to review health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and life insurance.

• Monday, April 23 from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m - Anderson Academic Commons, room 275
• Monday, April 23 from 10:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m. - Anderson Academic Commons, room 340
• Tuesday, April 24 from 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. - Mary Reed Building, Renaissance Room
• Wednesday, April 25 from 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Daniels College of Business, room 245
• Thursday, May 3 from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. - Daniels College of Business, room 305

Meet with a benefits specialist

During open enrollment, the Shared Services Center will have benefits specialists available to answer your questions and help you complete your benefits enrollment.

In-person or phone appointments with a benefits specialist can be made by logging into PioneerWeb under the employee tab. Select "open enrollment" as your reason for scheduling an appointment.

If you have questions at any time, email [email protected]

Read this email in Spanish

Benefited DU Employees,

The 2018 open enrollment runs from Tuesday, May 1 through Tuesday, May 15. Even if you aren't making any changes to your current elections, your benefits will automatically carry over to the new plan year. The only exception is Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), which require a new election every year. 

The University offers three FSA options through Rocky Mountain Reserve (RMR):

1. Health Care FSA—available to all benefited employees, except those enrolled in the HSA-qualified High-Deductible Health plan; this account can be used to set aside money from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles, copays, and other health-related expenses that are not reimbursed by the medical, dental, or vision plans

2. Limited Purpose Health Care FSA—an option for those on the HSA-qualified High-Deductible Health plan; this account can be used for eligible dental and vision expenses only

3. Dependent Care FSA—available to all benefited employees to use for day care expenses

You fund FSAs through payroll deductions made before taxes, and use them throughout the plan year to pay for eligible health care and/or dependent care expenses. The IRS determines and publishes a list of eligible expenses, which is found at https://www.irs.gov/publications/; scroll to Publications 502 and 503.

FSA Reminders

• For the 2018-2019 plan year, you may contribute up to the IRS contribution maximum of $2,650 to your Health Care FSA or your Limited Purpose Health Care FSA. (The current 2017-2018 plan year maximum is $2,600.)
• If you do not use all of your 2017-2018 plan year FSA dollars by June 30, 2018, you will be able to roll over up to $500 from your Health Care FSA or Limited Purpose FSA to use in future years.
• Dependent Care FSA dollars are, and will continue to be, "use it or lose it" during the benefits plan year (July-June); view the 2018-2019 Benefits Guide for more information.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you're planning to set up or continue an FSA:

FSA contributions are based on the DU benefits plan year (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019)

During open enrollment, you'll need to determine how much you want set aside (pre-tax) from your paycheck to fund both Health Care and Dependent Care FSAs. This amount will be in effect until June 30, 2019, unless you have a qualifying event (see page 5 of the 2017-2018 Benefits Guide for more information).

Determine your eligible FSA expenses

For health care plans, annual deductible and maximum out-of-pocket costs are based on the calendar year. This means that during open enrollment, you'll need to consider your expenses from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 to determine your total eligible expenses for the calendar year, such as deductibles, copays and other health-related expenses that are not reimbursed by the medical, dental or vision plans. With this information, you can determine how much you need to contribute to your FSA, keeping in mind that you'll need to cover expected expenses for July-December 2018, as well as for January-June 2019. While your FSA crosses over a calendar year, you'll never pay more than the maximum out-of-pocket costs for your plan during any one calendar year.

More information on FSAs is located on the HR Benefits website (under Benefits Plan Information).

The Rocky Mountain Reserve website also has more information to help you make good FSA choices, including a form to estimate your eligible expenses.

Here's what to focus on now:

Attend the 2018 Benefits Fair

Representatives from Human Resources & Inclusive Community, the Shared Services Center as well as our plan vendors will be available to talk with you and answer any of your benefits-related questions.

When: Tuesday, May 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Ritchie Center Concourse

Attend a Benefits Information Session

Benefit vendors will be on hand at each session to review health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and life insurance.

• Monday, April 23 from 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. - Anderson Academic Commons, room 275
• Monday, April 23 from 10:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m. - Anderson Academic Commons, room 340
• Tuesday, April 24 from 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. - Mary Reed Building, Renaissance Room
• Wednesday, April 25 from 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m. - Daniels College of Business, room 245
• Thursday, May 3 from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. - Daniels College of Business, room 305

Check your wellness points

You need to reach the required wellness program points by May 15, 2018 to qualify for the 2018-2019 premium discount. Get wellness program details on the [email protected] website.

Meet with a benefits specialist

During open enrollment, the Shared Services Center will have benefits specialists available to answer your questions and help you complete your benefits enrollment.

In-person or phone appointments with a benefits specialist can be made by logging into PioneerWeb under the employee tab. Select "open enrollment" as your reason for scheduling an appointment.

If you have questions at any time, email [email protected]

The next and final email in our open enrollment series on April 30 will provide a few important reminders and information on how to enroll or make changes during the open enrollment period.

Benefited DU Employees,

The 2018 open enrollment runs from Tuesday, May 1 through Tuesday, May 15. You will have until midnight on May 15, to sign up for medical, dental and vision insurance plans, or to make changes in your coverage choices (such as switching medical plans, adding coverage, setting up or changing Flexible Spending Accounts). During open enrollment, you sign up for benefits and make changes through PioneerWeb. Make sure you are able to log in to PioneerWeb; if needed, contact the UTS Help Desk at 303-871-4700 for assistance.

Are you planning to enroll any new dependents to your health insurance? If so, you will need to provide verification documents, such as a marriage certificate or affidavit (for spouse or partner) or birth/adoption certificate (for dependent children). You can upload documents in PioneerWeb when making open enrollment choices.

Please visit the open enrollment webpage to view past emails, FAQs and detailed information regarding the upcoming July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019 benefit plan year.

Here's what to focus on now:

Learn about the open enrollment process

Shared Services invites you to a free online presentation of "Navigating Open Enrollment". Tune in to the express training webinar that will include fifteen minutes of learning and fifteen minutes of questions and answers, all from the comfort of your desk.

When: Monday, April 30, 2018 starting at 12:00

To Register: Log into PioneerWeb, then click on Employee Tab > Training > Shared Services

Attend the Benefits Fair

Representatives from Human Resources & Inclusive Community, the Shared Services Center as well as our plan vendors will be available to talk with you and answer any of your benefits-related questions.

When: Tuesday, May 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Ritchie Center Concourse

Meet with a benefits specialist

During open enrollment, the Shared Services Center will have benefits specialists available to answer your questions and help you complete your benefits enrollment.

In-person or phone appointments with a benefits specialist can be made by logging into PioneerWeb under the employee tab. Select "open enrollment" as your reason for scheduling an appointment.

Check your wellness points

To qualify for the 2018-2019 premium discount, you must reach the required 5,000 points (Gold level) in the portal by May 15, 2018. If you have a spouse or partner on your health insurance plan, they must also reach required points by May 15, 2018.

Get wellness program details on the [email protected] website.

If at any time you have any open enrollment or benefits-related questions, email [email protected]

A. All benefitted DU employees may add, cancel, or change benefits during Open Enrollment via Pioneerweb from May 1, 2018 to May 15, 2018 with an effective date of July 1, 2018. Open enrollment is not mandatory, if you take no action your benefits will remain the same for the next plan year EXCEPTING FSAs (flexible spending accounts). If you would like a heath care and/or dependent care FSA in 2018-2019 you must enroll/re-enroll during open enrollment. Existing health care FSAs allow for a $500 rollover into the 2018-2019 plan year.

A. You may establish a HSA if you enroll in the Kaiser High Deductible Health Plan. DU contributes $26.42 per month and you may contribute pre-tax dollars for a combine total of $3,450.00 for an individual or $6,850.00 for all other coverage tiers for the calendar year 2018. HSA funds are only available to you as they are contributed whereas money from a health FSA is front loaded and available to use right away beginning July 1. However, you must spend all your elected FSA funds, with the exception of $500 or less, before June 30, 2018. You may rollover up to $500.00 of your elected FSA amount into the 2019 fiscal year. The rollover, or front loaded feature does NOT include dependent care FSAs (limit $5,000.00 in 2018). You may have both a health care FSA as well as an HSA however the FSA then becomes a limited purpose account and monies are only available to use for qualified dental and vision expenses.

A. Please contact the IT department at 303-871-4700.

A. When making changes, after adding or selecting an existing dependent highlight the individual(s) you want and click "browse" to locate the supporting documentation on your computer.

A. The wellness discount is complementary to your health insurance premium. If you qualify for the discount you will see it listed as a separate line item credit on your first paycheck in July. The only requirement to receive the discount is to reach 5000 points by May 15, 2018. If you have Employee+Spouse/Partner coverage for medical insurance, then your spouse/partner will also have to reach 5000 points by May 15, 2018.

A. TIAA contributions are unrelated to open enrollment, you can make changes at any time. To update your contribution amount and/or allocation log on to your TIAA account, select My Account, then Change your Contribution, Manage my Contributions and Schedule a Change.

A. Log on to Pioneerweb under the Employee Tab, My Resources, Benefits Information and Life Insurance Forms. Please email the Hartford Voluntary Life Insurance Form to [email protected] no later than May, 15 2018. If evidence of insurability is required The Hartford will email you directly.