Benefits

Faculty/Academic & Support Staff Frequently Asked Questions

The following reflect some of the more commonly asked questions regarding 2008 Open Enrollment changes by category. We hope this quick reference is helpful. To get answers to other questions, please contact MSU Human Resources Benefits at (517) 353-4434 ext. 0 or toll-free at (800) 353-4434 ext. 0.
Access to MSU Health Plan Coverage for Spouse or MSU Recognized Same-sex Domestic Partner Accidental Death and Dismemberment Aetna DMO Caremark Prescription Drug Plan Employee-Paid Life Insurance
Health Plan Employee Contributions
Health Plan Waiver What to do in Benefits Open Enrollment
What to do in Benefits Open Enrollment
If I do not want to make any changes to my health plan coverage, do I need to do anything during Benefits Open Enrollment? When and how do I make changes in my benefit plans? When do Open Enrollment changes become effective? Which plans are available to employees?
Health Plan Employee Contributions
Will I need to contribute toward the cost of my health plan coverage? My spouse and I are both faculty members at MSU. My spouse has PHP for herself and our children and I have Community Blue coverage. Do we both pay the 14 % employee premium contribution? I understand there is a “hardship” application for health plan contributions for part-time employees. As a part-time employee, how do I know if I qualify and how do I apply?
Health Plan Waiver
Currently, MSU employees who waive MSU health plan coverage and are covered by another employer receive a payment up to $600. Will they continue to receive this payment?
Access to MSU Health Plan Coverage for Spouse or MSU Recognized Same-sex Domestic Partner
I have a spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner, who currently works for another employer, who can enroll for single health plan coverage and contribute $800 or less per year toward the premium cost from that employer. I plan to have him/her enroll in that plan by July 1, 2008. Is there anything else I need to do? My spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner does not have access to other health plan coverage. Do I still need to participate in the online Open Enrollment? My spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner currently works for another employer and is required to take that employer’s health plan coverage. Is my spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner also required to cover our dependent children under his/her employer’s health plan? When does my spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner need to enroll in his/her employer’s health plan?
Caremark Prescription Drug Plan
Do I need to enroll in the Caremark prescription drug plan if I change health plans? Aetna DMO What is a primary care dentist (PCD)? What is a DMO (Dental Maintenance Organziation)? My dentist does not participate with Aetna DMO.  Can I nominate him/her to participate? Will I receive an ID card? Where can I get more information on Aetna DMO? I will be in a different state for several months during the plan year.  Should I switch my primary care dentist (PCD)?
Employee-Paid Life Insurance
Who is the new employee-paid life insurance vendor? If I have questions regarding the employee-paid life insurance plan, how do I contact Prudential? I am not currently enrolled in the Employee-Paid Life Insurance plan. Can I enroll for this coverage during the 2008 Benefits Open Enrollment? I am currently enrolled in the Employee-Paid Life Insurance plan. Can I increase that amount during this Benefits Open Enrollment, and if so, by how much?
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Who is the new accidental death and dismemberment vendor? If I have questions regarding the accidental death and dismemberment plan, how do I contact Prudential? I am not currently enrolled in the accidental death and dismemberment plan. Can I enroll for this coverage during the 2008 Benefits Open Enrollment? I am currently enrolled in the accidental death and dismemberment plan. Can I increase that amount during this Benefits Open Enrollment, and if so, by how much?
What to do in Benefits Open Enrollment
If I do not want to make any changes to my health plan coverage, do I need to do anything during Benefits Open Enrollment? If the only people covered by your MSU benefits are you and your eligible dependent children, AND if you do not wish to make any changes in your benefits programs, you do not have to participate in Benefits Open Enrollment. All other MSU employees must participate in Benefits Open Enrollment to enroll, or provide the information necessary to remain enrolled, in the benefits programs of their choice for themselves and their families. When and how do I make changes in my benefit plans? You may make changes during the annual Open Enrollment period: April 21 – May 12, 2008. You may make plan selection changes, enroll, add eligible dependents, or correct inaccurate information through one of the options listed below. Use the Web-based online enrollment feature. You will need your MSU NetID. (Contact MSU Libraries, Computing & Technology helpline at 800-500-1554 for assistance with your MSU NetID.) To access the online enrollment, login to eHR. Upon successful login, click the link Benefit Enrollment/Changes and follow the instructions. Contact MSU Human Resources Benefits if you need assistance, at 517-353-4434 or toll-free 800-353-4434. When do Open Enrollment changes become effective? Changes become effective July 1, 2008. Coverage for life insurance becomes effective upon approval from the life insurance company when an Evidence of Insurability Form (E of I Form) is required. Which plans are available to employees? Community Blue - PPO with Caremark Rx coverage Physicians Health Plan (PHP) with Caremark Rx coverage Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Transition (BCBSM) with Caremark Rx coverage (only available when there is a mix of Medicare and non-Medicare enrolled family members.) Health Plan Waiver Aetna DMO  Delta Dental Accidental Death and Dismemberment Employee-Paid Life Insurance
Health Plan Employee Contributions
Will I need to contribute toward the cost of my health plan coverage? For Full-Time Faculty: Eligible full-time faculty, academic staff and executive management who enroll in the Physicians Health Plan (PHP) health plan will contribute 14 % of the premium cost. For payments paid through payroll deduction, the contributions will be taken on a pre-tax basis. For those enrolled in Community Blue, PPO, a 14 % employee premium contribution plus the premium cost difference between Community Blue, BCBSM Transition (if eligible) and PHP coverage will be deducted on a pre-tax basis. (The calculation of the 14 % employee premium contribution does not include the cost of the Caremark prescription drug plan.) The employee monthly premium contributions will be as follows: Full-Time Faculty With No Family Members Enrolled in Medicare: Coverage Tier Community Blue - PPO Physicians Health Plan (PHP) Employee Only $54.05 $46.41 2 Person $113.50 $97.47 Family $132.38 $113.72 Full-Time Faculty Where Some Family Members Are Enrolled in Medicare: Coverage Tier Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Transition Physicians Health Plan (PHP) 2 Person, 1 with Medicare $50.46 $245.92 Family, 1 with Medicare $68.37 $247.90 Family, 2 with Medicare $66.73 $139.16 For Full-time Support Staff: Eligible full-time support staff who enroll in PHP or BCBSM Transition plan will not contribute toward the premium cost of those plans. Those electing Community Blue, PPO coverage will contribute the premium cost difference between Community Blue and BCBSM Transition (if eligible) or PHP coverage. For payments paid through payroll deduction, the contributions will be taken on a pre-tax basis. The employee monthly premium contributions will be as follows: Full-Time Support Staff With No Family Members Enrolled in Medicare: Coverage Tier Community Blue - PPO Physicians Health Plan (PHP) Employee Only $7.64 -0- 2 Person $16.03 -0- Family $18.66 -0- Full-Time Support Staff Where Some Family Members Are Enrolled in Medicare: Coverage Tier Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Transition Physicians Health Plan (PHP) 2 Person, 1 With Medicare -0- $193.68 Family, 1 With Medicare -0- $179.53 Family, 2 With Medicare -0- $72.43 My spouse and I are both faculty members at MSU. My spouse has PHP for herself and our children and I have Community Blue coverage for myself. Do we both pay the 14 % employee premium contribution? Yes, you may wish to consider covering the entire family on one plan to reduce the amount of your employee premium contributions. I understand there is a “hardship” application for health plan contributions for part-time employees. As a part-time employee, how do I know if I qualify and how do I apply? Part-time employees hired prior to July 1, 1998, with single or two-person coverage, may request the monthly hardship contribution for the following reasons: If they do not have access to other health coverage through a spouse’s or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner's group plan. If they are not married or in a MSU recognized same-sex domestic partnership and do not have access to other health care coverage from another employer as an active employee or retiree. Forms are available at www.hr.msu.edu/hrsite/forms.
Health Plan Waiver
Currently, MSU employees who waive MSU health plan coverage and are covered by another employer receive a payment up to $600. Will they continue to receive this payment? Yes, if an employee has waived MSU Health Plan coverage, then no re-election is required to continue to receive the waiver payment. Note: Employees and spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner who are both employed at MSU are not eligible for the waiver payment.
Access to MSU Health Plan Coverage for Spouse or MSU Recognized Same-sex Domestic Partner
I have a spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner, who currently works for another employer, who can enroll for single health plan coverage for an annual employee premium cost of $800 or less per year from that employer. I plan to have him/her enroll in that plan by July 1, 2008. Is there anything else I need to do? Yes, employees with a spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner, who does not work at MSU, must participate in the online Open Enrollment in order to complete the Health Plan Affidavit for Spouse or MSU Recognized Same-Sex Domestic Partner to inform MSU of other health plan coverage. Completion of this Affidavit is required regardless of the premium cost required of the spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner. My spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner does not have access to other health plan coverage. Do I still need to participate in the online Open Enrollment? Yes, employees with a spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner, who do not work at MSU, and who do not have access to other health plan coverage still need to participate in online Open Enrollment.  Completion of the Health Plan Affidavit for Spouse or MSU Recognized Same-Sex Domestic Partner is necessary to inform MSU that access to other health plan coverage is not available. My spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner currently works for another employer and is required to take that employer’s health plan coverage. Is my spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner also required to cover our dependent children under his/her employer’s health plan? No, MSU does not require that dependent children be covered under your spouse’s or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner's employer’s health plan. However, you may wish to have them covered under the other employer’s plan depending on your cost for this coverage and your health plan needs. When does my spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner need to enroll in his/her employer’s health plan? Your spouse or MSU recognized same-sex domestic partner must enroll by July 1, 2008.
Caremark Prescription Drug Plan
Do I need to enroll in the Caremark prescription drug plan if I change health plans? No, if you are enrolled in any of the MSU health plans, you’ll automatically be covered by the Caremark prescription drug plan. Aetna DMO What is a primary care dentist (PCD)? This is a dentist you choose to manage your overall dental care.  All Aetna DMO enrollees are required to select a PCD.  Visit Aetna's online provider directory at www.aetna.com or you may contact Aetna's Member Services at 877-238-6200 to select your PCD. What is a DMO (Dental Maintenance Organization)? In a DMO (Dental Maintenance Organization) enrollees select a participating primary care dentist (PCD).  Their primary dental care is provided by their PCD and only at locations that participate in the plan.  Though choice of providers is more limited, a DMO tends to cover a greater range of services at lower co-pays than traditional dental plans. My dentist does not participate with Aetna DMO.  Can I nominate him/her to participate? Yes, you can nominate your current dentist for consideration to join the Aetna provider network by completing the nomination form.  However, submitting the form does not guarantee that your dentist will apply to or be accepted as an Aetna provider. Will I receive an ID card? Yes, if you select Aetna, DMO you will receive an ID card.  Your card will list out all eligible members of your family (up to 5) and their Primary Care Dentist.  However, if you do not select a Primary Care Dentist, then cards will not be sent to you. Where can I get more information on Aetna DMO? You may review information at Aetna's Web site at www.aetna.com or you may contact Aetna's Member Services at 877-238-6200. I will be in a different state for several months during the plan year.  Should I switch my primary care dentist (PCD)? It is recommended that you switch your primary care dentist (PCD); you can switch your PCD as often as every 30 days.  If you do not switch your PCD, all services may not be covered unless considered an emergency.
Employee-Paid Life Insurance
Who is the new Employee-Paid Life Insurance vendor?   As of July 1, 2008, Prudential Insurance Company of America is the new employee-paid life insurance vendor.   2.                  If I have questions regarding the employee-paid life insurance plan, how do I contact Prudential?   Prudential’s customer service number is 1-877-232-3555.   3.                  I am not currently enrolled in the employee-paid life insurance plan.  Can I enroll for coverage during the 2008 Benefits Open Enrollment?   Yes, eligible faculty and support staff may enroll for this coverage for the first time during this Benefits Open Enrollment.  If you have not taken the opportunity to enroll in the employee-paid life insurance in the past, you can enroll in coverage equal to 1 times your base annual earnings.  However, if this amount exceeds $500,000 you will be required to provide evidence of insurability.   4.                  I am currently enrolled in the employee-paid life insurance plan.  Can I increase that amount during this Benefits Open Enrollment, and if so, by how much?   Yes, you can choose to increase the amount of life insurance you currently have.  The maximum amount of life insurance available under the NEW employee-paid life insurance plan is $2,000,000.  During the Benefits Open Enrollment, you may increase one level of coverage without submitting an Evidence of Insurability (E of I form), unless one level exceeds $500,000 then an E of I must be submitted.  An E of I must also be submitted if you choose to increase your coverage by more than one level of coverage.  You will also be able to see the cost of increasing coverage by accessing this Web site.  Click on the new Frequently Asked Questions link for additional questions and answers regarding the NEW employee-paid life insurance plan offered by Prudential Insurance Company of America.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment

1.                  Who is the new Accidental Death and Dismemberment vendor?