HR Update; November 6, 2009
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In this Edition
- United Behavioral Health Benefit Changes for 2010
- UC Post-Employment Benefits Forums
- Social Security Tax and Deferred Compensation Limits in 2010
- UC Retirement Readiness Education Programs
United Behavioral Health Benefit Changes for 2010
“Make Informed Choices”
The Mental Health Parity Act was signed into law in 2008 and becomes effective January 1, 2010. It requires employers, if they offer behavioral health benefits, to offer a level of behavioral health benefits at least equal to other medical benefits. To comply with the law, UC is enhancing behavioral health benefits, including adding out-of-network benefits to the Anthem Blue Cross PLUS and CIGNA Choice Fund plans.
Other plan changes include:
- All limits on in-patient treatment days are being removed from all plans.
- Penalties for non-compliance with substance abuse treatment no longer apply.
- Notification penalties will be consistent with medical-plan penalties; for example, if an Anthem Blue Cross PLUS member uses in-network services without preauthorization, the claim will be paid at the out-of-network level.
Behavioral health benefits are provided by United Behavioral Health (UBH) for employees enrolled in Health Net, CIGNA Choice Fund, Western Health Advantage, Anthem Blue Cross PLUS and Anthem Blue Cross PPO plans. Kaiser members have access to Kaiser’s integrated behavioral health services and to the UBH services and network that apply to the other plans.
The first three in-network outpatient mental health visits are covered with no copayment required under UBH. More specific information on how the Mental Health Parity Act may affect your medical plan choices is available here.
For daily updates on pertinent Open Enrollment information, please visit our Open Enrollment blog and feel free to post comments.
UC Post-Employment Benefits Forums
The University of California President’s Task Force on Post-Employment Benefits held forums on October 22 and 23 to give faculty, staff, and retirees the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the immediate and long-term effects of fiscal pressures on the University’s pension and retiree health programs. The forums included a presentation on the issues, followed by time for participants to ask questions. The materials presented and videos of the three sessions are now available for those who were unable to attend one of the sessions.
- View the streaming QuickTime videos
- Download the PowerPoint slide presentation
Social Security Tax and Deferred Compensation Limits in 2010
The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the Social Security tax rate and base will remained unchanged from 2009 at 6.2 percent up to a base of $106,800. The Medicare tax rate remains at 1.45 percent with no limit to wages. Pre-tax contribution limits to the 403(b) and 457 plans respectively remain at the 2009 level of $16,500. For staff age 50 and above, the pre-tax contribution limit for each plan is $22,000. For more information and to start or change contributions, go to: http://www.netbenefits.com
UC Retirement Readiness Education Programs
Please pass this on to your colleagues, circulate invitations, post the actual scheduled workshops happening near your location, or otherwise re-broadcast these weekly reminders about our valuable (FREE) education programs for faculty and staff. Bring your lunch; your questions; your spouse/partner.
- UC Retirement Plan (UCRP)-UC’s Defined Benefit Plan
- “The Features of UCRP”
- Schedule this workshop for your department—click here
- The Future of UCRP
- UC Retirement Savings Plans - the 403(b), 457(b) and DC Plans
- “Taking Charge of Your Financial Fitness”
- November 12, Laurel Heights, LHts – 376, 2:30 p.m.
- November 16, Mission Center, MCB – 126, 10:30 a.m.
- November 17, Mount Zion, Hellman Conf Ctr, 9:30 a.m.
- November 30, Mission Bay, S – 204, 8 a.m.
- “Enrolling in Your UC Retirement Savings Program”
- November 12, Laurel Heights, LHts – 376, 1:00 p.m.
- November 16, Mission Center, MCB – 126, 9 a.m.
- November 17, Mount Zion, Hellman Conf Ctr, 8 a.m.
- November 30, Mission Bay, S – 204, 9:30 a.m.
- “Determining Your Right Investment Strategy”
- November 16, Mission Center, MCB – 126, 12 p.m.
- November 17, Mount Zion, Hellman Conf Ctr, 11:00 a.m.
- November 30, Mission Bay, S – 204, 11:00 a.m.
- “Quarterly Market Perspective”
- Coming again soon
- “Achieving a Sound Retirement”
- Coming again soon
- “Understand the How-tos of Fidelity’s NetBenefits Website”
- Coming again soon
- Refer to these schedules for details and future workshops
- Focus on Your Future!
Usually there can be at least one (or more) workshop(s) per week scheduled at various UCSF locations around town. For more details and listings for upcoming scheduled presentations, please refer to our Workshops and Presentations Schedules menus found at our local UCSF HR/Benefits website.
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