Benefair set for Nov. 14

Information on health plans is available on the Benefit Services open enrollment website and at Benefair, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., G10 Biotechnology Building.

The 2013 rates for endowed health care plans have been finalized, says Paul Bursic, senior director of benefits, and employees will have nearly two months to decide which health care plan best meets their needs and those of their families. This decision will be a bit more complex than usual, he says, because -- as was announced last spring -- the HealthNow health care plan will be discontinued, effective Jan. 1, 2013, and no new members will be allowed into the Aetna 80/20 Plan.

"Endowed employees will need to choose between the Cornell Program for Healthy Living (CPHL), the Aetna Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and the Aetna Health Savings Account (HSA) plan," Bursic says. The CPHL, in particular, will also have some new preventive and wellness components of benefit to its participants.

The new rates are indicated in the accompanying chart. Those who are in CPHL and Aetna PPO will see a modest increase in their rates, reflecting the national increase in health care costs, which this year exceeded the cost of inflation. Those in the HSA plan will not see any rates increases, because the expenses in that plan are low and stable. While no new participants will be accepted in the Aetna 80/20 plan, as it will be phased out in 2014, those who choose to remain in the Aetna 80/20 plan for 2013 will experience significant rate increases, reflecting the expenses that that plan incurs because its reimbursements are based on non-negotiated provider charges. The Aetna Retiree 80/20 Plan will continue to be in effect for retirees over age 65 who participate in Medicare.

As announced in March, those enrolled in the HealthNow PPO will need to enroll in either the CPHL, the Aetna PPO or the Aetna HSA during the benefits open enrollment period, Nov. 1-30. As usual during open enrollment, all other plan participants can select a different plan if they so desire.

The Aetna PPO "has virtually the same benefits and coverage as did the HealthNow PPO," says Bursic. "It also has the same plan design as the CPHL, but the CPHL adds preventive care treatments and visits." CPHL also provides an annual enhanced wellness exam, performed by a select group of Ithaca-based physicians, he says.

The HSA provides the same coverage as the Aetna PPO, but changes how the plan expenses are paid. It requires participants to establish a spending account and allows them to use pre-tax dollars to offset medical costs. By law, the HSA has a high deductible that needs to be met.

Participants in the CPHL, Aetna PPO and the HSA plans will be able to keep their current providers, but should check to make sure those providers are in the Aetna network. Those in CPHL also will need to choose one of the Ithaca-based physicians if they want to take advantage of the specially designed enhanced wellness exam. All other preventive care can be provided by any primary care physician in the Aetna network nationwide.

Benefit Services consultants have already begun to schedule town hall meetings in individual colleges and units to explain the differences between the plans so that faculty and staff can make informed decisions about their health care insurance.

More information on all three plans will be made available throughout October, including updates to the information at the Benefit Services open enrollment website and at Benefair, Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., G10 Biotechnology Building.