Open enrollment fair today in Study Center

University of California Laboratory employees can learn more about their 2004 health-care provider and plan options at a open enrollment fair today in the J. Robert Oppenheimer Study Center at Technical Area 3.

The fair is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is primarily for active University of California Lab employees, though UC Lab retirees also can attend, said Sandy Haire of Benefits and Employment Services (HR-B). United Healthcare is the Laboratory's new health-care plan provider beginning Jan. 1, 2004. Blue Cross Blue Shield New Mexico remains the Lab's health-care plan provider through Dec. 31.

At the open enrollment fair, employees can talk with representatives from HR-B, United Healthcare, Delta Dental of California, Vision Service Plan, PacificCare Behavioral, California Casualty-A Plus, American Home Assurance, Fidelity and Calvery Social investments, ARAG Group, the Social Security Administration, Occupational Medicine, including the Lab's Employee Assistance Program and the Wellness Center (HSR-2).

At open enrollment, employees can

• change to a different medical plan;
• opt out of medical, dental, and/or vision coverage or if previously opted out, cancel opt-out request and enroll in a new plan;
• enroll eligible family members in health plans;
• cancel coverage for a currently enrolled family member;
• enroll self and/or eligible family members in the ARAG legal plan;
• enroll or re-enroll in the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DepCare) and/or in the Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA);
• cancel Tax Savings on Insurance Premiums (TIP) participation or re-enroll if previously cancelled.

Haire said that the best time to consider enrollment online is in the morning or evening because of the volume of people using the Web page during the day. Open enrollment continues through Nov. 30.

She added that number of open enrollment presentations also are scheduled for active UC Lab employees and retirees. To see a schedule of open enrollment presentations for employees and retirees, click here.

More information on open enrollment is available at the Healthcare: Pathways to Change Web page online or in the Oct. 27 Daily Newsbulletin.

-- Steve Sandoval

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