The focus of this month’s System Employees Benefit Advisory Committee (SEBAC) meeting was to review A&M Care plans and provide a general update about ongoing benefits-related issues.
Gerescher reported that the System Human Resources Office is currently bidding the HMO plans, the Internet financial services plan and the hearing aid discount plan. The HMO carriers will be finalized by Annual Enrollment and effective September 1, 2007. The Internet financial services plan and hearing aid discount plan vendors should be finalized by May.
Committee members also discussed the use of universal identification numbers (UINs) versus Social Security numbers (SSNs) by health care providers and our insurance carriers. The focus was on increasing awareness among employees, retirees and providers that all plan carriers use some kind of alternate ID, whether it be UINs or numbers provided by carriers and health providers should not be requesting SSNs from our employees, with the exception of retirees on Medicare.
Gerescher reported that SEBAC elections are currently being held throughout the System. For information about your System member’s election, contact your Human Resources office. You can also find SEBAC information on its web page.
The April 18 SEBAC meeting will be primarily devoted to premium discussions for the health and dental plans and legislative updates.