Benefits open enrollment: What to know about premiums and changes
A modest premium increase for the USA Choice Plan and a new pharmacy benefit manager are among the changes to benefits.
Learn More: USA Health sets pop-up events on benefits
Benefits open enrollment for USA Health and University of South Alabama employees runs now through Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Here’s what employees need to know about premiums and upcoming changes:
Premium increase
For the plan year beginning Jan. 1, 2022, the Fringe Benefits Committee recommended, and the University approved, a modest premium increase for the USA Choice Plan, formerly the USA Health & Dental Plan (Base & Standard Plans).
The increase will be $4 per month for single coverage and $14 per month for family coverage for employees enrolled in the current Base and Standard plans. The USA Select plan will have no increase in premiums.
It’s also important to remember that the total funding needed for the health and dental plans for 2022 is $71.3 million, with the university contributing $53.5 million.
New pharmacy benefit manager
Effective Jan. 1, 2022, Prime Therapeutics, Inc. (BCBS) will be the new pharmacy benefit manager for the USA Choice Plan (formerly USA Health & Dental Plan – Base & Standard plans). Prime Therapeutics, with direct ties to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, is a national leader in pharmacy management with a network of more than 60,000 independent and chain pharmacies nationwide.
With Prime Therapeutics, plan members can utilize any participating pharmacy to fill maintenance medications and other prescribed medications. Convenient home delivery services will be available from Meds Your Way through Amazon Pharmacy. Plan members will receive additional information at their home addresses regarding the change to Prime Therapeutics and in the USA Benefits & Wellness Open Enrollment Guide.
Re-enrollment for SouthFlex
HealthEquity, Inc. will provide claims administration for SouthFlex Flexible Spending Accounts in 2022. We also will offer the HealthEquity Visa® Reimbursement Account Debit Card. Current participants must re-enroll during Open Enrollment in order to participate in the 2022 plan year. SouthFlex enrollment forms are available online.
