After no health plan rate increases in 2010, the endowed health plan premium will increase 6 percent in 2011.

"This is disappointing news for our participants," said Paul Bursic, director of Benefit Services. "Our increase is on the lower end of a range of increases announced by many large institutions and companies nationally for 2011. The health care cost trend is definitely on the upswing by all projections."

Basic office visit copayments also will increase, to $18 from $15, and deductibles will be adjusted for medical inflation in 2011. Pharmacy copayments will not increase, but a new program encouraging the use of mail order for maintenance drugs will be introduced in 2011.

"Anyone on maintenance medications should strongly consider moving to mail order," Bursic said. "Mail order is quick and easy and results in significant copayment savings over time. Many physician offices in town now have a direct electronic link to Medco Health, so the patient doesn't even have to submit the order form in the mail."

All endowed health plan participants will share in the increase equally, including retirees. Equal sharing reflects the experience of the different benefit programs in the endowed package. In other words, Bursic said, the Cornell Program for Healthy Living and the Health Savings Account programs will continue to lead the others in economic value with the lowest premiums.

In 2011 Cornell will comply with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), also known as national health reform legislation. Cornell's endowed benefit plans have already met many of the patient-protection features of the ACA.

"In fact, the Cornell Program for Healthy Living bears a very close resemblance to the ideal health plan envisioned by the ACA," Bursic said. "It is the type of health plan that most employer-sponsored plans will copy by the final deadline of 2014 under the new law."

This past September, Cornell implemented for its endowed health plans the ACA provision that requires health plans to cover adult children up to age 26. During the upcoming open enrollment period in November, families will get a second chance to add their adult children who will not reach their 26th birthday before Jan. 1, 2011. Children may be added in the future as well; interested faculty and staff should talk to staff at the Resource Center at Benefit Services for more details.

To view the rates for your current plan or to compare plan premiums and features among the plans, endowed faculty and staff should access the Human Resources website http://www.hr.cornell.edu. Click on the Benefits tab to read the information you will need to understand your choices in November's open enrollment period. As always, changes will take effect Jan. 1. Address any questions to the Resource Center at Benefit Services, 607-255-3936.