DBHDD Open Enrollment Is Here

DBHDD is pleased to announce the annual Open Enrollment Period for the 2012 Plan Year will begin on Tuesday, October 11 at 4:00 a.m. and end on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. Two benefits sessions will be held on October 12, 2011 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. & 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. in conference room 24-389.

This year, employees will go to www.myshbp.ga.gov to obtain plan information found in the Active Decision Guide, answer any surcharge questions and make health plan elections specific to their healthcare needs. There are new plan options, including options specific to wellness. This year a number of changes have been made that are consistent with this approach.

Some of these changes include:

~All employees will experience an increase in premiums.

~A Spousal Surcharge Audit will be required for members who cover their spouse but are not paying the Spousal Surcharge.  Documentation and/or an affidavit from the spouse's employer verifying the spouse is not eligible for health insurance will be required to be submitted to SHBP.

~SHBP will cover certain prescription tobacco cessation medications.  To find out how to qualify, employees should contact CIGNA or United HealthCare for specific details.

~Active employees will have until December 31, 2011 to notify SHBP of any error made when making their health election for the 2012 Plan Year.
 
~Bariatric (weight loss) surgery will no longer be covered.
 
~HRA prescription drug coverage will change to a 3-tier structure with a minimum and maximum co-insurance amount.  Also, you may purchase your prescription drugs by paying the minimum or maximum amount even if in the deductible phase.  You may still use HRA dollars to pay for your prescription drugs, but the co-insurance will no longer apply to the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.

~Employees will have 90 days to request continued coverage for surviving spouses and adding newborns.

New Wellness HRA, HMO & HDHP

These new plan options will help members and their spouses (if covered) become more actively engaged in developing healthy behaviors as a way of life. 

Under these plans, the member will complete a Wellness promise to: 

~Complete an online health assessment through CIGNA or United Healthcare (UHC).

~Obtain an annual biometric screening that includes Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose and Cholesterol during each year of enrollment in the Wellness options.

~The SHBP member will make this promise for himself/herself (and on behalf of a spouse if covered) during the election for the 2012 Plan Year.  In return for the promise, the member will pay lower premiums and have lower out-of-pocket costs through co-payments, co-insurance, deductible and out-of-pocket maximums.
 
~Employees may take the online Health Assessment between January 1 and June 30, 2012 and receive their biometrics at a SHBP-sponsored worksite or by their in-network physician.  The physician must complete the "physician screening form" and fax this form to CIGNA or UHC by June 30, 2012.  The physician fax form will be available to download on January 1, 2012 at www.myshbp.ga.gov. 

If the SHBP member or spouse does not complete the health screening or obtain the biometric screening by this date, the SHBP member and spouse will not be able to enroll in the Wellness options the following Plan Year.

New Standard HRA, HMO & HDHP

Covered services under these plans are the same as under the Wellness Plans.
 
~Under these plans, members do not have to make a Wellness Promise or obtain and submit biometrics to SHBP.
 
~Members who elect not to make the Wellness Promise will pay higher premiums and higher out-of-pocket expenses through co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. 

United Health care will need to provide a separate health care spending care to access HRA dollar Credits for pharmacy expenses.

Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle

Family Tree and Genetic History: Take the time  to understand your family's medical history.  Apart from your good looks, your family also passes along genes that may cause or increase your risk of certain medical conditions.

Talk to your doctor about any medical concerns you may have in your family history and find out what preventive screenings may be necessary.

For questions regarding open enrollment or an explanation of benefits contact:

Benita Sanders, Ph.D
DBHDD - Operations/Benefits - Employee Relations Support
(P) 404-232-1161
(F) 770-359-5614
bsanders@dhr.ga.gov

Benefits Digest

This month's newsletter spotlights  an interview with Dr. Risby, DBHDD Medical Director, about ways to live a healthier life.

TRICARE INFO...

The TRICARE Supplement will be an alternative to SHBP coverage for employees who have TRICARE.

Tricare is a pre-tax basis coverage and the member pays all supplemental health benefits. Members must provide a Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) number.

Everyone covered under the contract must be in Tricare.

PeachCare For Kids

State employees can enroll their children in PeachCare for kids if they meet income and other eligibility requirements of the program.

NOTE: Children enrolled in PeachCare for Kids cannot be dually enrolled in SHBP.

Benefits under PeachCare include: dental, vision and health insurance at low premiums and co-payments.

Employees may complete an online application at www.peachcare.org or call 1-877-427-3224.

Healthcare Provider Info

CIGNA - HRA, HMO, HDHP
800-633-8519
www.mycigna.com/shbp

UnitedHealthcareHRA          
1-800-396-6515 
www.welcometouhc.com/shbp

UnitedHealthcare HDHP, HMO
800-246-4189
www.welcometouhc.com/shbp

Flexible Benefits:

Dental (Regular & PPO-UCCI) & (DHMO-Cigna) premium will increase
Administrative fees are increasing to 90 cents for each flex benefit (except FSA).

Employee/Spouse Life will be offering Legacy Planning Services: End-of-life planning and resources; and STD-premiums will decrease with no changes to the design plan.

Critical Illness Plan has added additional covered illness: Coverage for Alzheimer's disease (25% of the benefit amount).

Hyatt Legal Plans has added services for Elder law Matters, Home equity loans assistance (Select and Select Plans).

The Select Plus Plan has added Civil Litigation defense and Incompetency Defense.

Long-Term Care (contact Unum directly to enroll).

GaBreeze is now available through mobile access.

DBHDD In the News

A quiet place to live: A mental health patient is making progress living on his own
09/25/2011

Residential rehab offers transition from hospital to life
09/27/2011

Some nursing home residents may go home with help
09/27/2011

Mentally ill inmates languish in local jails
09/29/2011

Mentally ill find alternatives to jail
09/30/2011

NAMI marks Mental Illness Awareness Week
10/03/2011