Earlier this year, UC put its medical plans out to bid to explore new options for sustaining quality benefits at competitive prices. In August, UC announced the winning bidders and is in the process of finalizing rates and plan information.

For 2008, employees will be able to choose from a combination of existing and new medical plans during Open Enrollment in November.

Basic plan choices for 2008

• Kaiser and the regional HMO, Western Health Advantage plan in the Davis/Sacramento area, will continue. Employees currently in those plans who do not make a change during Open Enrollment will remain in those plans.
• There will be only one statewide network HMO, instead of two. Health Net has been selected and will remain the same as it is currently. The PacifiCare of California and PacifiCare of Nevada plans will no longer be available for 2008. Current PacifiCare of California members will be able to select another plan during Open Enrollment. Most doctors in PacifiCare's network are also in the Health Net network. Employees currently enrolled in PacifiCare of California who do not take any action during Open Enrollment will automatically be enrolled in Health Net, which offers very similar benefits and many of the same primary care doctors, specialists and hospitals. PacifiCare of Nevada members may enroll in the new CIGNA Choice Fund or the Blue Cross PPO*. Employees currently enrolled in PacifiCare of Nevada who no not take any action during Open Enrollment will automatically be enroll in the Blue Cross PPO*.
• UC will introduce CIGNA Choice Fund, a new systemwide Health Reimbursement Account plus Preferred Provider Organization (HRA/PPO) plan, in 2008. The Definity HRA/PPO currently available at UC San Francisco and UC Santa Barbara will be discontinued. Employees currently enrolled in Definity Health who do not take any action during Open enrolment will be automatically enrolled in CIGNA Choice Fund; current HRA balances will roll over.
• UC's current Blue Cross PLUS*, PPO*, and Core* plans will continue next year.
• Most employees will pay the same office-visit co-payments in 2008 as they do currently.

Enhanced wellness and mental health benefits
In addition to the basic plans, UC will offer to most employees new and improved wellness benefits and enhanced, more standardized mental health and substance abuse benefits next year.

StayWell will be the wellness benefits provider for all plans except Kaiser, and United Behavioral Health (UBH) will provide the behavioral health benefits for all plans except Core, Kaiser Mid-Atlantic and Kaiser Umbrella. Behavioral health coverage through BC Life & Health Insurance Company will be added to Core.

Employee premium rates are now available and final information about the plans will be available in early fall. Open Enrollment will be held from November 1 - 27, 2007; this is when employees will review their medical plan options and determine the one that best fits their needs.

*Blue cross PLUS and Blue Cross PPO are offered by Blue Cross of California®, Core is offered by BC Life & Health Insurance Company. Blue Cross of California® and BC Life & Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association (BCA). The Blue Cross name and symbol are registered service marks of the Blue Cross Association.