Health Plan Premiums Announced
If you've been meaning to make a change to the Duke benefits you receive, now's the time. This year's Open Enrollment period is here, and it's your opportunity to sign up for or change your Duke benefits options ‚ from health care coverage to retirement planning to pre-tax reimbursement accounts.
Below is an overview of the health care and dental coverage options available to Duke employees and their families. Keep in mind that because Duke's benefits plan year will shift to a calendar year, the choices you make during the May 1-20 Open Enrollment will be for a short benefits plan year ‚ in effect from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2000.
Options for Health Care
Duke employees who wish to enroll in health care coverage through Duke may choose between two plans: Duke Managed Care and PARTNERS. Duke Managed Care is a point-of-service plan. This means that a network of health care providers participate in the plan, and members who are treated by those providers pay a fixed out-of-pocket amount, or co-payment, for services. Members may receive out-of-network treatment, but the cost is greater than for in-network care.
PARTNERS, the company that purchased Kaiser Permanente, is a health maintenance organization (HMO), a type of managed care plan in which members pre-pay a fixed premium for health care services provided, offered or arranged by the plan.
Employee Health Care Premiums ‚ Effective July 1‚Dec. 31, 2000
Individual Employee/ Child Employee/ Children Employee/ Spouse Family
Duke Managed Care $32.89 $75.97 $107.91 $154.97 $195.53
PARTNERS $40.28 $85.61 $112.59 $163.00 $213.12
For a comprehensive comparison of the coverage offered by Duke Managed Care and PARTNERS, visit www.hr.duke.edu/benefits/health.html.
Dental Care Choices
Duke employees who wish to enroll in dental care coverage through Duke may choose between two plans, both offered by Ameritas Life Insurance. Plan A participants pay higher premiums, but receive greater reimbursement for services. Those who participate in Plan B receive less reimbursement for services, but pay lower premiums.
Both Plans A and B have improved coverage this year ‚ yet premiums have not increased for two and four years, respectively. "The cost of dental coverage in North Carolina is increasing at almost 10 percent each year," says Duke benefit analyst Henry Krzywy. "That Duke is able to offer plan improvements while keeping premiums the same for another year is quite an accomplishment." All Duke employees will soon receive a postcard at home that explains these improvements.
Employee Dental Care Premiums ‚ Effective July 1‚Dec. 31, 2000
Individual Employee/Child Employee/Spouse Family
Ameritas Plan A $22.68 $44.05 $45.36 $68.67 Ameritas Plan B $10.88 $22.16 $21.76 $40.40
To Learn More About Duke's Employee Benefits
A packet, scheduled to arrive in employees' home mailboxes by early May, will provide comprehensive information about all of the benefits offered to Duke employees. Staff members may also visit the 2000 Benefits Fair to speak with Benefits Administration and vendor representatives. The Benefits Fair is scheduled for these times and locations:
Monday, May 8
7 a.m.‚3:30 p.m. Raleigh Community Hospital, Classrooms 101 and 102 Tuesday-Wednesday, May 9-10 7 a.m.‚6 p.m. Duke University, Searle Center Thursday, May 11 7 a.m.‚6 p.m. Durham Regional Hospital, Level 1 Classroom Employees can also visit the Benefits Administration website at <www.hr.duke.edu/benefits/index.html> or call 684-6723.