Unitarian Universalist Association Health Plan
Open Enrollment 2010
Offering an open enrollment for the third consecutive year is a milestone for our plan. We have grown almost 30% since January 2007. Plan finances are strong, we have been able to improve benefits, and we have kept our rate increases far below industry averages.
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Health Plan Open Enrollment Period begins November 1st and continues through November 30th. All eligible staff—everyone working 750 or more hours per year—will be able to join the plan effective January 1, 2010, even if they have not taken advantage of past enrollment opportunities. Self-employed community ministers continue to be eligible if working in a ministerial capacity at least 750 hours per year. During open enrollment, no evidence of insurability is required, and we do not apply any pre-existing condition limitations.
If your congregation is not currently participating in the UUA Health Plan, this is the time to study the possibility. Health insurance is complex business, and we are here to help you work through your questions, concerns, and strategies. We want to be the health plan of choice for Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations.
Open Enrollment Highlights
- For the third consecutive year, we are improving our benefits. The standard PPO plan—the choice of 90% of our members—will now cover all in-network diagnostic procedures in full, with no deductible or coinsurance.
- For another year, the UUA Health Plan has been able to hold deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket limits steady. Many commercial plans have raised all of those cost-sharing elements to hold rate increases down, passing the added costs on to members.
- The base premium rate increase for 2010 will be 11.5%, well below the projected average increase across other health insurance plans. From 2007 to 2010, we have raised our rates a total of 16% compared to the roughly 40% increase for commercial insurers over the same period. We are committed to offering congregations a viable, competitive health insurance option that can survive and prosper for a long time to come.
- For currently participating employees of Subscribing Employers or for Subscribing Individuals, there is nothing special to do to continue coverage for 2010. Current participants will be carried over and be billed the 2010 rates. Participants are free to change plans (from High Deductible to Standard PPO, for example) by notifying the UUA Health Plan office at healthinsurance @ uua.org.
Check your 2010 rate using the Rate Calculator.
Health Plan in the News
Check out our article in UU World!
For Members
Contact the Health Plan Coordinator at healthinsurance @ uua.org to change or update your name, address, or other personal information.
- Apply online using our Enrollment Application.
- Add a dependent by using the Dependent Enrollment form.
- Terminate coverage or remove a dependent by emailing the Health Plan Coordinator at healthinsurance @ uua.org. Please include the reason for termination (voluntary or involuntary) and the date of termination in your email.
- Create a personalized online account with Highmark:
- Gives you instant access to your claims information and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) documents and gives you the option to stop receiving paper copies.
- View your benefit booklet.
- Allows you to manage your account information and order replacement cards in the event yours is lost or stolen.
- Helps you make healthy choices or changes by giving you free access to a number of programs and customized resources.
- Go to Highmark at any time to search for the most recent provider lists.
For Employers
Whether you're a current subscribing congregation or organization, or are looking at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Health Plan for the first time, we have a great deal of information and resources to help you.
- Calculate the 2010 premium rates for your employees with the rate calculator.
- Review the highlights of the benefits available with each plan we offer.
- The Employer Subscription Agreement (PDF)—must be on file at UUA Health Plan Office and church/organization office.
- Contact the Health Plan Coordinator at healthinsurance @ uua.org or Health Plan Director at hp_director @ uua.org.
Employee Benefits Trust
The UUA Health Plan is operated by the Health Plan Trust, established by vote at the UUA Board of Trustees meeting on October 22, 2006.
For more information contact healthinsurance @ uua.org.
Last updated on Tuesday, November 17, 2009.
