Annual Enrollment: April 6 – May 4 for Changes Effective July 1, 2016

Published April 5, 2016 | Human Resources / Assistant Town Manager | Automatically Archived on 5/5/2016

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Annual enrollment time is here, giving you the opportunity to review your benefit options and choose a new health plan if you wish.  If you want to keep your current Group Insurance Commission (GIC) health plan, you do not need to fill out any paperwork.  Your coverage will continue automatically.  Take action during Annual Enrollment! Consider enrolling in a less expensive health plan.  Please take this opportunity to think about what you and your family need in the way of health care. 

Watch the Annual Enrollment video to find out the steps you should take during Annual Enrollment and tips on how to lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Be sure to read your GIC Benefit Decision Guide for annual enrollment details.

Do your homework during annual enrollment, even if you think you don’t want to make any changes:

  • Review the GIC Benefit Decision Guide for benefit and rate changes effective July 1, 2016.
  • Consider enrolling in a limited network or less expensive wide network plan to save money every month on your premiums. 
  • Contact the plans to find out if your doctors and hospitals still participate in your plan.  Specify the plan’s full name, such as “Tufts Health Plan Spirit” or “Tufts Health Plan Navigator,” not just Tufts Health Plan.
  • Check on copay tier assignments that affect what you pay when you get specialist or hospital services.  Copay tiers can change each July 1 with new data.

Your GIC Benefit Decision Guide is an overview of GIC benefits; it is not a comprehensive plan handbook.  There may be other services that you and your family need.  Contact each plan to find out details about those benefits. 

Keep in mind!  Once you choose a health plan, you cannot change plans during the year, unless you have a qualifying event, such as moving out of the plan’s service area, or you are retiring a are eligible for Medicare (in which case you must enroll in a Medicare plan).  If your doctor or hospital leaves your health plan, you must find a new participating provider in your chosen plan. 

See the GIC’s website for the latest annual enrollment news, forms to expedite your decisions, and answers to frequently asked questions.  View and print from our website Summary of Benefits and Coverage documents, required by federal health care reform, that provide a summary of a GIC plan’s benefits and cost-sharing requirements.

Mark the Date!  Enrollment forms are due to your GIC Coordinator no later than Wednesday, May 4, 2016.

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