Briefing: News for UC Faculty and Staff

University Briefs

UC budget news
Final enactment of the 2005-2006 California state budget was still pending as we went to press. The most up-to-date news on state and UC budget developments are online.

UC team to compete for LANL management
The UC Board of Regents has voted to pursue the continued management and operation of Los Alamos National Laboratory, which has a workforce of more than 8,500. UC’s contract to manage LANL is currently scheduled to expire next May.

A UC and Bechtel-led team, that includes BWX Technologies Inc. (BWXT), Washington Group International and a consortium of New Mexico higher education institutions will submit its competitive proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy by the July 19, 2005 deadline. A detailed article about UC’s entry into the competition is online.

Benefits Briefs

Important announcement for U.S. Savings Bond buyers
Effective September 1, employees can enroll in a new U.S. Savings Bond program that will provide both I-Bonds and Series EE Bonds, with deductions taken from October 1 paychecks and beyond. Employees who currently purchase bonds through UC payroll deduction will need to enroll in this new program to continue deductions without interruption. These employees will be sent a mailing in early August with information and instructions on continuing deductions. New program details will be announced in September.

Medical Plan Focus:
Health information around the clock
UC members enrolled in Blue Cross PLUS and Blue Cross PPO plans may access the MedCall® telephone service, which offers free 24-hour, seven-day-a-week professional guidance with basic health care.

MedCall is an easy-to-use service that connects members to a registered nurse who can provide confidential, knowledgeable answers to your health care questions, or can direct callers to another health care professional. MedCall also provides a wide-ranging audio health library. More >>

New Medicare Part D for 2006
By now, many of you have heard about the new Medicare Part D (available in January 2006) that will help those with Medicare pay for prescription drugs.

While it is important for you to read any Medicare communications that you receive, it is particularly important for you to read all UC communications for explanations about plan rules and requirements. UC-sponsored plans will have individual provisions, currently being explored, for Medicare Part D that may differ from non-UC information that you receive.

The September issue of this newsletter will provide more details about Medicare Part D. Please note that our UC Customer Service Center will not have information on Medicare Part D until late September.

Your 403(b) Plan beneficiary designations may change
Tax-Deferred 403(b) Plan beneficiary designations for participants who have Fidelity or Calvert accounts may change as a result of the Plan services transition to FITSCo in July. Details are in the June and July mailings from FITSCo, and are also available online.

Now might be a good time to review all your UC beneficiary designations to make sure they are up to date. Go to FITSCo’s website to review your Retirement Savings Program designations, and to Your Benefits Online for UCRP and insurance plan designations.

Is it time to evaluate your disability waiting period?
With a one-time opportunity to enroll this fall in the UC-sponsored supplemental disability plan or to change your waiting period if already enrolled, now is the time to consider which waiting period is right for you. More >>

New prescription drug services for HealthNet, PacifiCare
Effective July 1, 2005, UC employees, retirees, and their eligible dependents enrolled in HealthNet, HealthNet Seniority Plus, PacifiCare, and PacifiCare Secure Horizons can obtain mail order quantities (usually up to a 90-day supply) of approved maintenance medications at UC Medical Center pharmacies (UCI, UCLA, UCD and UCSD). More >>

	Newsletter Archives Briefing \| New Dimensions Please Select One
In This Issue: en Español Feature Article \| UC People \| Benefits Q&A \| Briefs


HR/Benefits Briefing online This is the second issue of the redesigned and renamed HR/Benefits newsletter. Along with the new look, we’ve increased its frequency to bimonthly. You’ll find shorter articles with details available online. Between issues, you can keep up with HR/Benefits news and developments online through Current News at the At Your Service website. UC Retirement Savings Program: New services provider, Core Funds and other options The transition of account and recordkeeping services for the UC Retirement Savings Program to Fidelity Investments Tax-Exempt Services Company (FITSCo) is now complete. In addition, a host of new UC Core Funds and other investment options are available for the Program. More >> Go to the Top	Can't find what you want? Directories and Contacts Forms and Publications Search the website Email Customer Service
UC People
Irvine Michael Drake becomes new UCI chancellor Michael V. Drake, M.D., longtime University of California faculty member and administrator and former UC vice president for health affairs, became the fifth chancellor of the UC Irvine campus July 1. Drake emerged as UC President Robert Dynes’ top recommendation to the Regents for the position after a national search that produced approximately 650 prospects. To read more about Dr. Drake’s appointment, see the online article. To read Dr. Drake’s interview published in HR/Benefits Review last December, see the online article. Go to the Top
Benefits Q & A
Proposed staff personnel policy improvements UC is conducting a broad review of personnel policies for non-represented staff that aims to demonstrate appreciation of the professionalism of UC employees, provide better opportunities for career development and professional growth, and strengthen resources for employees to balance their work-life needs. Currently proposed are revisions to PPSM 20 (Recruitment) and PPSM 50 (Professional Development). More > Academic personnel policy update Summary of Academic Personnel Manual (APM) policies issued APM sections and proposals under formal review: Proposed Revised Family Friendly Policies, APM 760, 133-17, 210-1, and 220 Successful START Program extended for one year UC’s START (Staff and Academic Reduction in Time) Program has been extended to June 30, 2006 for those who participated in the program during the July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2005 fiscal year. START is an optional, temporary program to help achieve short-term salary savings through employee voluntary time reductions and to minimize the need for layoffs while addressing employee work-life needs. An updated program description, Qs & As, and other START information are available online.
Briefs
University Briefs UC budget news Final enactment of the 2005-2006 California state budget was still pending as we went to press. The most up-to-date news on state and UC budget developments are online. UC team to compete for LANL management The UC Board of Regents has voted to pursue the continued management and operation of Los Alamos National Laboratory, which has a workforce of more than 8,500. UC’s contract to manage LANL is currently scheduled to expire next May. A UC and Bechtel-led team, that includes BWX Technologies Inc. (BWXT), Washington Group International and a consortium of New Mexico higher education institutions will submit its competitive proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy by the July 19, 2005 deadline. A detailed article about UC’s entry into the competition is online. Benefits Briefs Important announcement for U.S. Savings Bond buyers Effective September 1, employees can enroll in a new U.S. Savings Bond program that will provide both I-Bonds and Series EE Bonds, with deductions taken from October 1 paychecks and beyond. Employees who currently purchase bonds through UC payroll deduction will need to enroll in this new program to continue deductions without interruption. These employees will be sent a mailing in early August with information and instructions on continuing deductions. New program details will be announced in September. Medical Plan Focus: Health information around the clock UC members enrolled in Blue Cross PLUS and Blue Cross PPO plans may access the MedCall® telephone service, which offers free 24-hour, seven-day-a-week professional guidance with basic health care. MedCall is an easy-to-use service that connects members to a registered nurse who can provide confidential, knowledgeable answers to your health care questions, or can direct callers to another health care professional. MedCall also provides a wide-ranging audio health library. More >> New Medicare Part D for 2006 By now, many of you have heard about the new Medicare Part D (available in January 2006) that will help those with Medicare pay for prescription drugs. While it is important for you to read any Medicare communications that you receive, it is particularly important for you to read all UC communications for explanations about plan rules and requirements. UC-sponsored plans will have individual provisions, currently being explored, for Medicare Part D that may differ from non-UC information that you receive. The September issue of this newsletter will provide more details about Medicare Part D. Please note that our UC Customer Service Center will not have information on Medicare Part D until late September. Your 403(b) Plan beneficiary designations may change Tax-Deferred 403(b) Plan beneficiary designations for participants who have Fidelity or Calvert accounts may change as a result of the Plan services transition to FITSCo in July. Details are in the June and July mailings from FITSCo, and are also available online. Now might be a good time to review all your UC beneficiary designations to make sure they are up to date. Go to FITSCo’s website to review your Retirement Savings Program designations, and to Your Benefits Online for UCRP and insurance plan designations. Is it time to evaluate your disability waiting period? With a one-time opportunity to enroll this fall in the UC-sponsored supplemental disability plan or to change your waiting period if already enrolled, now is the time to consider which waiting period is right for you. More >> New prescription drug services for HealthNet, PacifiCare Effective July 1, 2005, UC employees, retirees, and their eligible dependents enrolled in HealthNet, HealthNet Seniority Plus, PacifiCare, and PacifiCare Secure Horizons can obtain mail order quantities (usually up to a 90-day supply) of approved maintenance medications at UC Medical Center pharmacies (UCI, UCLA, UCD and UCSD). More >> Go to the Top