Board of Regents approve 2023 USG Healthcare Plan Premiums for employees and retirees and 2023 65+

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

The Board of Regents approved the 2023 University System of Georgia (USG) healthcare plans and premiums for active employees and pre-65 retirees at its August 9^th meeting. The Board also approved the USG funding for the Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for retirees aged 65 and older.

The USG is pleased to announce that there will be no employee premium increases for 2023. The USG continues to experience higher healthcare plan costs due to COVID-19 treatment, testing and vaccines, as well as an increasing utilization of the plan benefits, inflationary pressures and impacts of new legislation. To manage overall plan costs, there will be plan design changes in all USG healthcare plans. In addition, UGA will be contributing additional funds in the employer-paid portion of the premiums to prevent employee premiums from increasing.

While employee premiums will not increase for 2023, there will be an increase in the plan surcharges, and the plan design changes include increases in deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and/or copays.

CHANGES TO THE 2023 USG HEALTHCARE PLANS

• Tobacco use and working spouse monthly surcharges will increase from $100 to $150.
• There will be one surcharge for all dependent children 18 and older who use tobacco.
• You must complete the certification of your tobacco use and working spouse (if applicable) each year during Open Enrollment. If you take no action during Open Enrollment, you will default to the surcharge.
• Check your Open Enrollment confirmation statement to make sure you completed the certification. Corrections can be made through the end of the year through OneUSG Connect – Benefits at 844-587-4236.
• The Tobacco Cessation option will continue to be available during Open Enrollment for employees/dependents who are tobacco users to provide an opportunity to take a Tobacco Cessation program, complete the program and have the tobacco surcharge removed. Information about Tobacco Cessation options is available on the USG Well-being website under Tobacco and Smoke-Free.
• The Working Spouse Surcharge will apply to employees who cover their working spouse under the USG plan when the spouse has an offer of coverage from their own employer.
• You may change/update your surcharge status at any time during the year through OneUSG Connect – Benefits. The change will be effective on the first day of the following month.
• Impacted Wisdom Teeth coverage change - removing coverage from all healthcare plans and adding coverage to the USG dental plan.
• Diagnostic Breast Exams coverage at 100% has been added to all healthcare plans.

A summary of the approved plan design changes, including increases in deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and/or copays, as well as the plan premiums are available on the USG benefits website.

BENEFITS THAT WILL CONTINUE IN 2023

• You can earn up to $200 Well-being Credit for 2023. New this year – a points-based system with additional earning activities! The new program year begins October 1, 2022. To register, visit ourwellbeing.usg.edu.
• Diabetes Management, Prevention and Weight Management programs continue at no cost. Programs are provided for healthcare-enrolled members who meet program criteria. Information is available on the well-being website.
• Use Accolade for your healthcare needs – customized support and recommendations for employees enrolled in the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of GA plans.
• Retiree 65+ contribution to the HRA will remain at $2,736.

OPEN ENROLLMENT

Open Enrollment for the 2023 calendar year will be October 24 through November 4, 2022. Active employees will begin receiving Open Enrollment information in late September by mail. Complete your 2023 enrollment elections and certifications through OneUSG Connect – Benefits no later than November 4, 2022. This is also a great time to review and update your personal and emergency contact information, voluntary demographic data, W-2 consent and banking information in OneUSG Connect.

BENEFITS FAIRS

This year, we are Better Together! Attend an in-person or virtual benefits fair for more information about the USG benefits programs.

• The USGvirtual benefits fair with live presentations and chat will be offered throughout the Open Enrollment period, from October 24 through November 4. We encourage all faculty, staff and retirees to attend a fair to learn about the changes to the benefit plans for 2023. You will receive a registration email in October for the virtual benefits fair.
• The in-person benefitsfair will be held October 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Georgia Center for Continuing Education’s Mahler Hall.

RETIREE INFORMATION

Pre-65 retirees and pre-65 dependents will remain on the same plans as active employees. As in the past, there will be separate pre-65 retiree premium rate charts for the 2023 plan year.

Medicare-eligible retirees aged 65 and over and Medicare-eligible dependents aged 65 and older will continue to enroll in their supplemental healthcare coverage through the Retiree Health Exchange. Medicare Part A and B will provide primary coverage. USG will also continue to provide an annual contribution into a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for retirees and/or dependents to use towards premiums and other eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. The Board of Regents approved the USG HRA funding to remain at $2,736 per year for each Medicare-eligible retiree aged 65 and older, and any Medicare-eligible covered dependent(s) aged 65 and old. These are the same levels as 2022. To receive the 2023 USG HRA funding, the retiree and/or dependent must purchase coverage through the Alight Retiree Health Solution. The Medicare enrollment period is October 15 through December 7, 2022 for a January 1, 2023 coverage start date.

CONTACT UNIVERSITY HUMAN RESOURCES

University Human Resources is ready and available to offer guidance on your 2023 Open Enrollment questions. Questions about these health plan benefits can be directed to hrweb@uga.edu or 706-542-2222.