Keeping Your Health First

For Andrew Corcoran, the picture of good health took time to come into focus.

"In September of 2002, my wife was diagnosed with a brain tumor," he said.

Corcoran, an IT analyst at the Duke Clinical Research Institute, and his wife, Julie, wanted to start a family, but held off when they found out about the tumor. Julie had three surgeries -- the first was unsuccessful. After that, they went to Duke's Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center. Today, their family picture includes a healthy 1-year-old daughter, Olivia.

"Thanks to Dr. Allan Friedman and all of the staff there, Julie is now fully recovered," Corcoran said. "I am very thankful to work at an organization that provides such great health care and health benefits."

Open enrollment, the time to select or make changes to health insurance plans, as well as vision, dental and reimbursement benefits, begins Oct. 1 and runs through Oct. 17. New health insurance premiums, which take effect Jan. 1, will increase slightly, well below the expected national average.

Reimbursement accounts are among the best way to keep health care costs down for consumers. Now they've just become easier to use with a new Health Care Card. Click here to find out more.

Duke's premium increases for health insurance will be about one-fifth of the national average in 2008, said Lois Ann Green, director of Benefits. Duke Select premiums, which cover the majority of Duke employees and families, will increase $1.07 per month for individuals; $6.37 per month for families. The monthly premium increase for Blue Care and Duke Options is slightly higher, depending on coverage selected. For the third straight year, Duke Basic will not have a premium increase.

Green said that the low increases were possible, in part, because of improvements many people at Duke have made in their health.

"Over the years, Duke has added deductibles, increased co-payments, adjusted premiums to maintain comprehensive and affordable coverage," she said. "But the options to tweak the plan designs to moderate cost increases have nearly run out. Our best option to control cost is to improve the health of our employees. That's why we are promoting and investing in preventive health programs."

Next year, out-of-pocket expenses for health, dental, pharmacy and vision insurance will not increase. And co-pays for diabetic insulin and supplies will drop from $35 to $10, which could help people at Duke with diabetes save about $100 a month.

"Managing diabetes is key to preventing other health conditions," Green said.

Other 2008 health plan updates include:

• The physician network will continue to expand for Duke Select and Duke Basic participants, offering residents in Wake County more options.

• The premium for vision care in 2008 will not increase.

• The monthly premium for the comprehensive dental plan will rise $1.24 for individuals; $3.75 for family coverage.

How To Get More Information

• Open enrollment packets with details about Duke's health, dental and vision plans and how to make changes or sign up for a plan will be mailed to employees in September.
• Information sessions about reimbursement accounts and health, dental and vision coverage are September 24 through October 12.
• Representatives from the Duke Open Enrollment Service Center are available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday from Oct. 1 through Oct. 17; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6 and Oct. 13. Call (877) 371-9963.