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Health Insurance; Open Enrollment 2015
Mon, 09/15/2014 - 1:10pmIMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS
The Office of Group Benefits (OGB) annual enrollment period begins October 1 and lasts through October 31. During that period, all current members will be required to select a health plan for 2015. OGB’s plan options for 2015 include several new plans that were not available in previous years. You can get details about all plan options in the decision guide available here.
You can access even more information about OGB’s plans, including frequently asked questions, an out-of-pocket cost calculator, and the Ask OGB blog at annualenrollment.groupbenefits.org.
- OGB is not getting rid of the plans they offer today. However, it’s important that members take the time to review each of the 2015 offerings to ensure they are selecting the right coverage for their circumstances.
- OGB is offering more plans to member than ever before, including three HMO options, one PPO option and two consumer-driven options for employees and retirees with and without Medicare.
- The Pelican plans offer significantly lower premiums than any offered today, in addition employer funding that offsets a portion of member out-of-pocket costs.
IMPORTANT: The OGB Customer Service Helpdesk will offer extended hours beginning Monday, September 15. It will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It will not be open Saturday September 13.
LEARN MORE
You’re invited to learn more about your benefits at the live webinars and meetings taking place across the state over the next few weeks. There is no registration required for the in-person meetings, but registration is necessary for the webinars. REGISTER NOW!
Watch OGB’s annual enrollment introduction video
OTHER BENEFITS
There are two changes that will affect statewide insurance products beginning January 1. Statewide products include dental insurance, universal life insurance, vision insurance, and other types of insurance plans that aren’t included in the Office of Group Benefits’ offerings.
- Beginning in 2015, premiums for statewide insurance products will be taken out of employees’ paychecks before tax. That means that employees enrolled in the eligible products will see more take home pay.
- The other change is that employees will only be able to enroll in these products during the annual enrollment period, unless they experience a qualifying event. The enrollment period typically spans the month of October.
GET THE FACTS
The changes to OGB’s health plans are a hot topic right now. Commissioner Nichols’ article in the Shreveport Times provides some context for the changes and details about how OGB has managed costs to its members as the cost of health care continues to rise.