LAST DAY, ANY CHANGES MUST BE COMPLETED TODAY BY 3:00 PM
PLEASE COME TO THE PERSONNEL SERVICES OFFICE, ADMINISTRATIVE BLDG, ROOM 206
(Kathy Bonham will be out of the office from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM)

GROUP INSURANCE ANNUAL ENROLLMENT
OCTOBER 15 THROUGH NOVEMBER 15

During the annual transfer/enrollment period for group insurance, faculty
and staff are provided the opportunity to review their current insurance
coverage, evaluate available options, and make changes for the next
calendar year. Eligible faculty and staff should have received (at your home)
information from the State of Tennessee and various insurance carriers
regarding changes to insurance programs and the options available.

Personnel Services will be available to confer individually with faculty
and staff members, to provide departmental information sessions as
requested, and to assist faculty and staff in processing the necessary
forms. Questions, requests for departmental information sessions, or other
requests for assistance of any kind regarding the annual enrollment process
should be directed to our Benefits Specialist, Kathy Bonham. Kathy can be
reached by phone  (425-4452) or by email: [log in to unmask]

As a reminder... among the changes eligible faculty and staff may make are:

*Change Medical Insurance carrier (choice of PPO BlueCross/BlueShield, HMO
John Deere, POS John Deere).
*Change Dental Insurance plan type (choices of Prepaid Plan 2 or PDO).
*Increase Optional Term and Group Universal Life Insurance
*Add Dental Insurance.
*Add Optional Term and Group Universal Life Insurance for employee and family.
*Add Optional Special Accident Insurance coverage for employee and family.
*Change Long Term Disability plan type.
*Terminate Medical, Dental, Life, Optional Special Accident, or Long Term
Disability Insurance.

Increase in Insurance Premiums: As was indicated in previous communications
from the State and UT Treasurer's Office, there will be an increase in
premiums for all medical insurance plans effective January 1, 2003.  The
change will be reflected in the December paycheck, since premiums are paid
a month in advance.

The following summarizes some of the principal changes to our insurance
programs effective 1/1/03:

Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical therapists, Oral
Surgeons, Dialysis Clinics, and Audiologists:

PPO
· In-Plan - 90% of the maximum allowable charge (MAC) after deductible for
participating network providers; 70% of the maximum allowable charge (MAC)
after deductible for non-participating providers.  For out-of-network,
members will be responsible for their 30% coinsurance and any amounts
exceeding the MAC.  The patient liability could be substantial. 

HMO
· $10 per visit; limited to 45 visits per year for any one condition.

POS
· In-Plan - 100% of the maximum allowable charge (MAC) after a $15
copayment.  A referral is required from the members PCP also.  Amounts
exceeding the MAC are written off by In-Plan providers.
· Out-of-Plan - 70% of the maximum allowable charge (MAC) after a $300
deductible.  Amounts exceeding the MAC are patient liability.

Note:  Members currently receiving services from these provider types are
encouraged to check the provider network to ensure that their provider has
contracted with BCBS to be a network provider; otherwise, benefits will be
provided at the lower levels effective 1/1/03.  (Provider directories may
be found on the Personnel Employee Benefits home page.)

HMO & POS
Additional counties have been added for the John Deere Chattanooga:
Bedford, Fentress, Cannon, Jackson, Coffee, Overton, Franklin, Pickett,
Grundy, Smith, Van Buren, Warren, and White
DENTAL:
· Premium increase in the PDO Plan.

Note: Fortis Prepaid Plan 2  has added 2 more dentists for Hamilton County,
total 4 to see new patients:

Culbertson, Charles C DDS, 4791 Highway 58, Ste 12, 894-5223
Inge, Warren D DDS, 1507 Keeble St, 867-5610
Perry, Benjamin C DDS, 8703 E. Brainerd Rd, 893-7443
Woods, Elenora DDS, 6425 Bonny Oaks Dr., 892-3545

Kathy Bonham
Benefits Specialist
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Personnel Services, Dept. #3603
615 McCallie Ave.
Chattanooga, TN  37403
Office 423-425-4452
Fax 423-425-4574