Benefits
We understand that finding the right benefit plan to suit your needs can sometimes be difficult. We have put together the coordinating pages to help assist you in making those decisions. Some things to consider when making medical benefit decisions are:
- Geography -- you must live in the plan's service area to join the plan.
- Cost -- premiums vary by plan. Keep in mind higher cost doesn't necessarily mean higher quality of care or better benefits.
- Special medical needs -- if you or a dependent needs certain medical care, you may want to choose a plan that provides the optimum benefits and coverage for the needed treatment, medications, or equipment.
- Coninsurance vs.copays -- The Aetna Public Employees Plan and Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) classic and value managed-care plans require you to pay a fixed portion (called a "copay" or "copayment") and/or coinsurance (percentage of an allowed fee) when you receive network care. Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) surgical deductible and the value plans deductibles
- Out-of-pocket maximum -- This is the maximum amount you pay in one calendar year.
- Referral procedures -- Some plans allow you to self-refer to any network provider; others require you to have a referral from your primary care provider.
- Your provider -- If you have a long-term relationship with your doctor or health-care provider, you should verify whether he or she is a primary care provider in the plan's network before you join by calling the plan directly.
- Paperwork -- In general, PEBB plans don't require you to file claims. However, UMP members may need to file a claim if they receive services from a provider outside of UMP's network.
When making benefit decisions, please refer to the enrollment guides, and also feel free to contact Merlinda Sain at 3690-546-9094 or msain@vancouver.wsu.edu
Please note: Upon hire you have 31 days to turn in your Medical forms or you will be defaulted in to Uniform Medical/Dental Plan. Once you have been defaulted you may not make changes to your plan until the next open enrollment. You also have 31 days to turn in your Long Term Disability (LTD) form without the evidence of insurability form. Once 31 days has passed, you may sign up, but you will be subjected to completing the evidence of insurability. Life insurance forms need to be submitted within 60 days of hire. PERS employees have 90 days to elect a retirement plan; otherwise you will be defaulted into PERS 3 at a 5% contribution. This is an irrevocable action. TIAA-CREF employees have 2 years to enroll in the plan.