• Scholars, Students, Performers Dragged Into U.S. Visa Limbo
  • Unions Strike Campus
  • Instruments Join Music Collection
  • Oct. 22 Meeting Offers a Jump on Open Enrollment
  • Researchers: New DNA Test Method Very Promising
  • MCC Wins Re-vote
  • Sedgwick Learning Center Funded
  • 2 Awards for Nakamura
  • Terrorism Panel to be Cablecast
  • Hwy. 217 Signals Again on Agenda
  • Capps Center Sets Sails
  • Study: Detecting Cheats Is an Ancient Skill
  • Campus Contract and Grand Awards
  • Campus Notes
  • Calendar
  • Credits
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    Oct. 22 Meeting Offers a Jump on Open Enrollment

    To understand the options offered during open enrollment this year, the smorgasbord of benefits is going to require more self-education than usual, advises Laura Morgan, health care facilitator for UCSB Human Resources.
    For example, while UC will still have the usual HMOs--HealthNet, PacifiCare, and Kaiser-Permanente--UC Care is being replaced by a Blue Cross Point-of-Service plan. Additionally, there will be a Blue Cross Preferred Provider Organization plan for some UC employees, said Morgan.
    Another change: If you are enrolled in the pretax DepCare program, a switch in vendors will require re-enrollment for the coming calendar year. You could do that while opening a newly available pretax account for certain health care expenses.
    Most of the details of what services will be provided, by whom, and at what cost will come out the last week of October when all employees receive a package of plans. There will also be meetings on campus.
    Starting on Tuesday, Oct. 22, the UCSB Benefits Office will provide a forum for Blue Cross representatives to meet the public. A "Preview of New Blue Cross Plans" will be presented from 2 to 3 p.m. in the UCen State Street Room.
    A Benefits Fair with vendors from financial and insurance groups as well as medical, dental, and vision plans is scheduled for Nov. 1. The fair will run from 12:30 to 4 p.m. in Corwin Pavilion.
    Go to UC's "Health Care Update" at
    <http://atyourservice.ucop.edu> for late-breaking updates.