Today in Benefits

The Benefits Office Web site provides information on the features of the benefits plans offered by the University of Michigan, allowing you to select the options best suited to your needs and those of your eligible dependents.

News

Long-Term Care enrollment period extended through May 16

The enrollment period for the new Long-Term Care Insurance Plan administered by the John Hancock company has been extended through May 16, with coverage effective July 1.

Eligible, actively-at-work faculty and staff enrolling in the new Long-Term Care Insurance Plan by May 16, 2008, will receive guaranteed acceptance regardless of your current health status. After May 16, 2008, all eligible participants (including actively-at-work faculty and staff) will be required to provide proof of good health to apply for coverage.

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SHPS Spending Account Card Audit

April 11, 2008

If you use a SHPS Spending Account card, you may have recently received an Account Activity Statement from SHPS for your Spending Account.  SHPS has discovered errors on many of these statements, and is working to correct the inaccuracies.
 
On the statements, SHPS asked participants to provide documentation regarding some purchases that were actually co-pays for either pharmacy transactions or medical fees.  Health Care FSA participants do not need to submit validation of co-payment transactions.  SHPS is working to validate those claims.

You will receive a letter from SHPS and a corrected statement shortly.  Please save all your receipts and wait for the corrected statement. 

If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the SHPS Customer Service Center at 1-800-678-6684 or review your account information at www.myshps.com.

New Long-Term Care Plan available; enrollment begins April 1
The University of Michigan is offering a new optional group long-term care insurance plan. The plan is underwritten by John Hancock Life Insurance Company.

Long-term care insurance offers coverage that is generally not available under your medical and long-term disability benefits or fully covered through Medicare or Medicaid. It can help provide protection against the high costs of long-term care that can result from the effects of aging, illness, or a serious accident.

Enrollment in the new plan begins April 1 with coverage effective July 1. Eligible faculty and staff who enroll by May 2 are guaranteed acceptance in the plan. Eligible family members and retirees may also apply, but they must provide proof of good health and be accepted for coverage by John Hancock.

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Same-Sex Domestic Partner Benefits

A message from Laurita Thomas, Associate Vice President,
February 2, 2007

Colleagues,

In 2004 the voters in Michigan approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as "a union between one man and one woman." A lawsuit was brought against the state by the ACLU and others to clarify whether the amendment prohibits public institutions from offering health benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of employees. In 2005, the Ingham Circuit Court ruled that the amendment did not prohibit such benefits.

However, today the Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that the marriage amendment "prohibits public employers from recognizing same-sex unions for any purpose," including the provision of employee health benefits.

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Medicare Part D In early 2006 Medicare began offering outpatient prescription drug coverage called Medicare Part D. After careful review of the new Medicare Part D Plan, the University of Michigan strongly urges Medicare-eligible active employees (and their dependents enrolled in the U-M plan) NOT to enroll in Medicare Part D plan. You do not have to do anything in order to retain your current prescription drug coverage in the University of Michigan plan. (full story) Military Service Leave University of Michigan faculty and staff members in the Armed Forces Reserves or National Guard who are called to active duty are placed on Military Service Leave. Under the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), Military Service Leave is treated the same as any unpaid leave of absence. (full story) (Top)