“Many of Tech’s benefits are provided through the University System of Georgia, (USG),” said Darlene Wright, director of employee benefits. “And a lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into advocating for our employees and providing strong benefits options.”

One notable change for 2012 is that eligible employees who work between 20 to 29 hours per week will no longer be eligible for benefits; however, they will still earn vacation and sick time and be eligible to participate in all retirement plans. Employees must now work at least 30 hours a week to receive benefits. 

“We made frequent calls to the USG seeking approval to broaden this new requirement to include employees who work an average of 75 percent time over the course of the year,” Wright said. “And we were successful.” 

The 75 percent addition will primarily benefit faculty members and researchers at the Institute, but it ensures that a larger group of employees may maintain health coverage. Also, Wright’s team has proactively identified employees who are affected by this upcoming change.  

“We are reaching out to employees who are impacted by these changes so that we can provide them with individual guidance and resources to explore individual coverage options,” said Kim Watkins, benefits manager.

The BOR passed other significant changes for 2012, including increasing medical premiums, freezing enrollment into the HMO plans and discontinuing the BOR PPO and the BOR Health Savings Account (HSA) PPO. 

“The BOR decisions reflect the negative economic reality that we are all facing,” Wright said. “Our goal is to educate and provide guidance to Tech employees to ensure everyone is equipped to make the best decisions as they relate to their benefits. We want Tech employees to know that we are working hard for them.”

That’s why offering several voluntary benefits specific to Tech employees is important to Wright and her team. 

For example, a new, enhanced vision plan through EyeMed will be replacing the existing vision plan offered through United Health Care/Spectera.  

Also, the Tech benefits team has created a new Bank at Work program, in partnership with Bank of America, Georgia United Credit Union, State Bank & Trust and Wells Fargo. Each bank will offer unique employee discounts on a variety of services.

• 2012 Benefits Guide. These will be mailed to employees’ homes this week.
• Onsite Meetings. The benefits team is hosting numerous meetings across campus to educate employees about upcoming changes.
• Benefits Fair. The fair will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom (look for an article on the fair in the Oct. 31 issue of The Whistle.)
• Send an Email. Contact a member of the benefits team here.  

What’s Changing 

Board of Regents-Approved Changes for all University System of Georgia Employees:

• Frozen HMO Plans. The Kaiser HMO and the BlueChoice HMO plans are closed to new enrollees in 2012. Those currently enrolled may continue to participate in the plans.
• Elimination of the BOR PPO Plans. The Board of Regents (BOR) PPO and BOR Health Savings Account (HSA) PPO medical plans will be discontinued. Employees enrolled in these plans will automatically be enrolled in the Open Access POS plan (known as the BOR PPO Alternative plan) or the HSA Open Access POS plan (known as the BOR HSA Alternative plan), respectively.
• Rx Out-of-Pocket Maximums (Open Access POS Plan Only/Medco). The existing quarterly out-of-pocket maximums will be replaced with an annual out-of-pocket maximum. The new annual maximum is lower than the yearly combined maximums, so employees potentially save money on future prescriptions.
• Employee Eligibility for Medical Plans. Employees must work a minimum of 30 hours per week (currently 20) and/or an average of 75 percent time over the course of a year to be eligible for benefits. Employees who do not meet the new eligibility requirements will continue to be eligible for vacation/sick accruals and participation in the retirement plans.
• Medical Coverage Premiums. All medical premiums will increase. Refer to the rate sheet in the back of the 2012 benefits guide (mailed to homes) or online.
• HSA Match. The HSA that works in conjunction with the HSA Open Access POS plan will be matched, dollar for dollar, on a monthly basis, up to an annual maximum of $375 for single coverage and $750 for family coverage. 

Georgia Tech-Approved Changes for Tech Employees:

• New Voluntary Vision Plan. The existing vision plan offered through United Health Care (UHC) will be replaced with a new and improved plan through EyeMed. If you’re currently enrolled in the vision plan through UHC, you will automatically be enrolled in the new plan through EyeMed. Advantages of the new plan include a larger provider network, greater allowances for lenses and frames and a $1,000 benefit for laser vision correction.
• Bank at Work Program. This program provides employees with unique discounts at Bank of America, Georgia United Credit Union, State Bank & Trust and Wells Fargo. Each bank offers discounts on a variety of banking services including free checking, discounted mortgage loan services and free safety deposit boxes. 

What’s Not Changing

• Dental Plans. Providers, plan design and premiums will remain the same. The BOR Metlife dental plan is open to new enrollees.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). FSAs allow you to use pre-tax money to pay for your qualifying out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses. Employees may contribute up to $5,000 to a dependent care FSA. Employees who do not participate in high deductible HSA medical plans may also contribute up to $5,000 to health care FSAs.
• Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance. Eligible employees will continue to be automatically provided with $25,000 of basic term and AD&D insurance.
• Supplemental Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D). Employees may elect supplemental employee and dependent life and AD&D insurance or opt to increase existing coverage levels for an additional cost.
• Voluntary Short- and Long-Term Disability Plans. Both short-term and long-term disability options will remain the same.
• Long-Term Care. To enroll and/or obtain additional information, visit http://gatech.jhancock.com (username: gatech; password: mybenefit) or call 888-354-6498.
• Critical Illness. You may enroll in critical illness or opt to increase existing coverage levels for an additional cost by contacting UNUM, the plan administrator, at 866-441-6973.
• Whole Life. Coverage information and rates can be obtained by contacting UNUM at 866-441-6973.  

Medical PlanFAQs

With the eligibility requirements for benefits changing, will employees currently working 20 to 29 hours be grandfathered in?
No employees will be grandfathered in. Employees affected by this change will be contacted by a member of the benefits team to discuss resources for seeking alternative individual coverage options.

If I do not meet the new eligibility requirements, does that mean that I lose all of my benefits?
No, the employee will still accrue vacation and sick time and can participate in all retirement plans.

If I’m enrolled in an HMO, can I add an eligible dependent during open enrollment?
Yes, as long as the employee is currently enrolled in one of the HMOs.  

What is the impact of moving from the Blue Choice PPO to the Open Access POS?
Open Access is a slightly smaller network; however, the benefits team is expecting minimal provider disruption with this change. Also, the network discounts associated with the Open Access network are greater than those in the Blue Choice network, so employee out-of-pocket expenses will be lower with this change.  

If I want to change my current medical plan, which plans can I choose from for 2012?
You may enroll in the Open Access POS or HSA Open Access POS plan.

More than 30 vendors will be featured, including Blue CrossBlue Shield, Humana, and EyeMed.  Therewill be door prizes, an onsite open enrollment computer lab, catered lunch, andfree wellness screening for blood pressure and total cholesterol.  Fasting is not required for the wellnessscreening.  Stamps Health Services willalso have Flu Vaccines available for $25; they will accept Buzz Card orCredit/Debit only.

For more information, please email the benefits departmentat benefits@ohr.gatech.edu.

You will have the opportunity to hear from the GT Benefits Team, the Social Security Administration Office and a ORP representative. The agenda is as follows: 

• 12:30 PM   Welcome/Retiree Benefits and Savings Plans
• 1:00 PM  Social Security Benefits
• 2:00 PM ORP Retirement; Meet with your ORP Vendor

You will have the opportunity to hear from the GT Benefits Team, the Social Security Administration Office and a TRS representative. The agenda is as follows: 

• 9:00 AM   Welcome/Retiree Benefits and Savings Plans
• 9:30 AM  Social Security Benefits
• 10:30 AM  Teachers Retirement System

Reservations are not required. The presentation will also be recorded and posted to the OHR website for anyone who are unable to attend.

The ExpressFit program is open to CRC members who are employees at Georgia Tech. The program includes 30-minute workout sessions that will be held five days a week from noon to 12:30 p.m. or from 12:30 to 1 p.m. The circuit-style classes will be led by certified G.I.T. FIT personal trainers and will include both cardio and strength training intervals.

“It’s a perfect opportunity to take a break from the office, get a great workout in and refocus for the remainder of your day,” said Christie Stewart, associate director for healthy lifestyle programs at the CRC.

From Aug. 29 to Sept. 2, all Tech employees are invited to try out a free week of the ExpressFit classes — whether you have a CRC membership or not.

After the free trial week, ExpressFit classes officially start on Sept. 6. Passes are $20 per month for CRC members or $10 per month for members with a G.I.T. FIT group fitness pass.

“At Georgia Tech, we recognize that all accomplishments comethrough people,” said Scott Morris, associate vice president of HumanResources. “We are so pleased to be recognized for our efforts to support anddevelop an outstanding workforce.”

Georgia Tech was recognized in four out of twelvecategories: confidence in senior leadership; job satisfaction; facilities,workspace and security; and work/life balance.

The results, released in The Chronicle’s fourth annualreport on the academic workplace, are based on a survey of approximately 44,000people at 310 institutions, including 245 four-year colleges. Honor Rollrecognition for four-year colleges was given to the 10 institutions in eachsize division that were cited most often across all of the recognitioncategories.

For example, relating to the facilities, workspaces andsecurity category, during the past 15 years, Georgia Tech has constructed andrenovated many campus facilities that serve as a vital backdrop for providingan innovative live, learn and work environment, including a significantinvestment in the human and ecological landscape.

The campus has also increased its focus on sustainability, establishingbuilding standards for environmental stewardship, sustainable design and energymanagement and requiring that all building and renovation projects be designedand built to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standards.

“We are absolutely honored to have been selected for thisrecognition, but we are not content to rest on our laurels,” said Morris. “Ourgoal is to be recognized in each of the twelve dimensions outlined in thesurvey.”

Two other Georgia colleges were included on the 2011 HonorRoll. Brenau University, Gainesville, Ga., was recognized in the small, four-yearcategory, while East Georgia College in Swainsboro, Ga., was recognized in thesmall, two-year category.

According to The Chronicle, the assessment process had twocomponents: a questionnaire about institutional characteristics and afaculty/staff questionnaire about individuals' evaluations of theirinstitutions. The assessment also included an analysis of demographic data andworkplace policies at each participating college or university. Thequestionnaires were administered online in March and April of this year.

Survey respondents were asked to respond to 60 statementsusing a five-point scale, ranging from "strongly agree" to"strongly disagree." They were also asked to rate their satisfactionwith 18 benefits, respond to two open-ended questions, and answer 15demographic questions.

“Great Colleges to Work For” is one of the largest and mostrespected workplace-recognition programs in the country. The Chronicle workedwith ModernThink LLC, a human-resources-consulting firm that has conductednumerous “Best Places to Work” programs involving more than 4,000organizations.

Nomination forms are now available online, at http://www.gtwlc.com/awards.php and will close onFriday, September 23. Please take the time to look at our websiteand nominate anyone who falls under this description. Awardrecipients will be announced at this years Women's LeadershipConference, on November 4-5, 2011.

For any questions please contact WLC Awards Chair ChelseaSanders at csanders33@gatech.edu.

Registration opens on September 6, 2011.  Once registration opens, please click here to register.

2011 - 2012 Break Camp Dates:

November 21, 2011 - Thanksgiving Break
November 22, 2011 - Thanksgiving Break
December 19, 2011 - Winter Break
December 20, 2011 - Winter Break
December 21, 2011 - Winter Break
December 22, 2011 - Winter Break
February 20, 2012 - President's Day

For more information, please visit the Tech Wreck Break Camp website at http://www.crc.gatech.edu/hlp/plugins/content/index.php?id=1.