UHR News
University Human Resources
October 7 , 2007
Questions? Please use the contact information found within each article for the fastest reply.
Click here to view in a Web browser.
Open Enrollment STARTS MONDAY, Set for
October 8 – 19
Open Enrollment, the time for faculty, staff and retirees to update or make changes to their benefits packages for 2008, takes place Oct. 8-19.
Open Enrollment is an important time each year to consider your personal circumstances and choose the most economical benefit plans that fully meet your needs. This year it is especially important to review benefit options as M-CARE plans will be replaced at the end of the year.
Open Enrollment books will be distributed to faculty and staff through Campus Mail by the end of September. Important information is summarized below.
M-CARE Medical Plans Replaced
The M-CARE HMO, M-CARE POS, and M-CARE PPO PLUS plans will be discontinued at the end of 2007 and U-M Premier Care will be added to the plan offerings. Consider all plan options available during Open Enrollment. Current M-CARE HMO, POS, and PPO PLUS members who do not elect a new plan for 2008 will be automatically enrolled in U-M Premier Care to prevent any lapse in coverage.
Introducing U-M Premier Care
The U-M Premier Care plan (administered by BCN Service Company) will be available only at the University of Michigan and offers access to all U-M providers, University Health Service, and nearly the entire current M-CARE provider network. For more on U-M Premier Care and a link to an online directory of providers, visit: www.benefits.umich.edu/events/oe/
GradCare Continues
GradCare will continue to be offered to benefits-eligible graduate students and will be administered by BCN Service Company of Blue Care Network of Michigan in 2008. Current GradCare members will be automatically enrolled in the GradCare plan administered by BCN.
Care Choices is Now Priority Health
Care Choices has been sold to Priority Health. In most cases, Care Choices members may continue seeing the same doctors and using the same hospitals. Anyone currently enrolled in Care Choices who does not elect a new plan during Open Enrollment will be automatically enrolled in the Priority Health HMO plan for 2008.
Benefits for Same-Sex Domestic Partners (SSDP) Discontinued
U-M will discontinue SSDP benefits after the expiration of our current plan contracts on Dec. 31, 2007. (Date may vary for individuals covered by a collective bargaining agreement.)
New Benefits Eligibility for “Other Qualified Adult”
An Other Qualified Adult is an individual who can be covered on the benefits plans of a U-M employee beginning on Jan. 1, 2008 if specific eligibility criteria are met. For more information, go to: www.benefits.umich.edu/eligibility
Currently enrolled in an FSA? Remember that you must re-enroll every year—it’s not automatic.
If you are already enrolled in an FSA, you must re-enroll if you wish to participate for 2008. If are currently enrolled in a Health Care FSA and choose to re-enroll for 2008, retain your SHPS Spending Account Card and it can be used to pay for your eligible 2008 health care expenses. Keep in mind that the SHPS Spending Account Cards are only accepted at merchants that are classified as qualified spending account service providers and accept Visa debit cards. Examples include:
- Physicians’ offices
- Hospitals
- Pharmacies
- Vision centers
- Dentists
You can Elect or Change Certain Plans any Time of Year
Some benefit plans, such as life insurance, expanded long-term disability coverage, long-term care, and the retirement savings plan, are not part of Open Enrollment. These plans may be elected or changed any time you choose. The Benefits Office encourages you to periodically review your enrollment in these benefits to make sure your coverage needs are met.
Questions?
Web: www.benefits.umich.edu
E-mail: benefits.office@umich.edu
Phone: Call the HR/Payroll Service Center at 5-2000 (Ann Arbor campus), 734-615-2000 (local or off-campus), or 866-647-7657 (toll-free long-distance)
Back to top
Connecting the Dots: Annual Work/Life Conference
Set for October 24 - Registration NEARLY FULL!
The 2nd Annual Work/Life conference, Connecting the Dots, will be held on October 24 at the Michigan League from 8:00am - 4:00pm. University campus and health system staff, and community business leaders are invited to attend. Click here for registration information: http://hr.umich.edu/worklife/dots/index.php.
The motivational keynote address will be delivered by C. Leslie Charles, author and work/life consultant. Author of "Why is Everyone So Cranky?", Leslie's humorous presentations illustrate her company motto "You are the key to your own success."
Topics for University Staff
University staff can choose from a number of sessions providing insight and practical information into integrating work and personal life.
All-staff sessions will include:
- Aging Successfully
- Bully-proofing Your Child
- Time Management
- Fitness Sampler
A Management Focus
A management track will offer sessions with tools and information on developing and maintaining a work environment that is supportive of work/life integration. These sessions are designed for both University Managers and community business leaders.
For more information and to register, visit http://hr.umich.edu/worklife/dots/index.php Space is limited! Register today!
Connecting the Dots is co-sponsored by:
The Department of Labor Women's Bureau
Michigan Healthy Community
In partnership with:
Back to top
MHealthy’s Ergonomic Program Offers Grants, Awards and Prizes
In recognition of October as National Ergonomics Month, Michigan Healthy Community’s Ergonomics Awareness Program has launched three programs to promote safety, health and productivity among U-M’s faculty and staff.
Ergo Grant Incentive Program
If your department needs financial help to purchase equipment, conduct training or redesign work processes to solve ergonomic problems, the Ergo Grant Incentive Program is providing grants of up to $15,000 to help maintain a safe, healthy, efficient work environment. Last year, a total of $45,000 was awarded to multiple units in need of funds to implement effective ergonomic solutions.
Effective Ergonomic Solutions Awards
Departments that have already implemented an ergonomic solution (such as new or modified equipment, training programs or work process redesigns) between July 2006 and June 2007, can apply for the Effective Ergonomic Solutions Award. This program recognizes solutions that have lowered ergonomic risk factors, thereby reducing or preventing employee discomfort.
Applications for the Ergonomic Grant Incentive and Effective Ergonomic Solutions Award programs are available at the MHealthy website, www.MHealthy.umich.edu, and can be submitted October 1 - November 30. Recipients will be announced in the spring of 2008.
Ergo Online Tutorial Drawings
Throughout October, complete one or more of the three ergonomic online tutorials (Introduction to Ergonomics, Office Ergonomics and Laboratory Ergonomics) on the MHealthy website to be entered into weekly drawings to win MHealthy prizes, such as MHealthy Fun Packs and gift certificates towards MFit classes and activities. Faculty and staff can re-enter weekly and complete multiple tutorials for more chances to win.
To view tutorials or learn more about any of these programs, visit www.MHealthy.umich.edu.
Back to top
Candace J. Johnson Award to Honor Exemplary Staff Member - NOMINATIONS DUE OCT. 15
 The University of Michigan Office of the Provost wishes once again to recognize exemplary staff on the Ann Arbor campus and in the U-M Health System with the Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for Excellence
Established in 2004, the award is a memorial to a dedicated staff member, Candy Johnson. Candy's special blend of professionalism and personality was a positive influence in the workplace. Faculty and Staff are encouraged to recognize those staff members who truly make a difference by combining enthusiasm with excellence by nominating them for the Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for Excellence.
A $500 cash award and certificate will be presented in December by the Office of the Provost.
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE OCTOBER 15 -For more information and nomination forms, please visit the Candace J. Johnson Staff Award for Excellence website < http://www.hr.umich.edu/cjjaward/index.html>.
Back to top
Look for October’s GOOD CHOICE of the Month vending machine item!
It's easier than ever to make healthier snack choices at U-M vending machines.
October’s GOOD CHOICE of the Month vending machine item is Kar's Original Trail Mix Unsalted – look for the “GOOD CHOICE of the Month” sticker on the package. Each month, a GOOD CHOICE item is selected and sold at a reduced price.
Michigan Healthy Community’s GOOD CHOICE program has selected dozens of healthier food and beverage items, each identified with the GOOD CHOICE logo. MFit nutrition guidelines for fat, sugar, sodium, cholesterol and fiber are used to determine healthier choices in vending machines, at participating dining locations and through U-M Catering.
For more information on the GOOD CHOICE program, visit www.mhealthy.umich.edu.
Back to top
Child Care Openings Available at these U-M Centers
The University of Michigan Children’s Programs are committed to providing exemplary early childhood care and education for children of University faculty, staff and students.
These U-M Centers are currently accepting applications for Fall enrollment:
- Pound House Children's Center
- University of Michigan Children's Center (Infant and Preschool openings available)
- Children's Center for Working Families
- Northwood Community Child Development Center
For more information on U-M Early Childhood Centers, visit the Child Care Gateway at http://www.hr.umich.edu/childcare/
Back to top
Fidelity Investments: Look Forward with Confidence to Retirement Day
Knowing you can reach your retirement goals. That’s retirement readiness. And you can begin taking the steps to achieve your goals when you meet with a Fidelity Retirement Counselor. These sessions are designed to help you become better informed and more confident in planning for your retirement.
Please join Fidelity Investments for a confidential consultation. You will learn about investing for retirement and get a better understanding of the steps you can take to ensure your retirement readiness.
Consultations are conducted at:
- Michigan Union
- Michigan League
- Medical Professional Building
- Medical Inn Building
- North Campus-Pierpont Commons
- University Hospital
- Flint Campus
- Dearborn Campus
To schedule your confidential consultation call
1-800-642-7131, Monday – Friday, 8:00AM-midnight, ET, or reserve your space at: http://www.fidelity.com/atwork/reservation
Back to top
Get More Help on Your Retirement Plans – Anytime – with TIAA-CREF
In Person
TIAA-CREF has a consultant who is available to meet with you individually to discuss your investments needs and to conduct retirement planning workshops at many different U-M locations including Ann Arbor Campus, Health System, Flint and Dearborn. To view upcoming dates and locations and to register for an appointment or seminar, please click here http://www.tiaa-cref.org/umich or call the TIAA-CREF Ann Arbor office at 866 842-2949, extension 6804.
Online
Two of the more popular Financial Education Seminars (Pre-retirement and SRA/IRA) created specifically for U-M employees continue to be available for viewing 24/7 by clicking here: U-M Web Presentations http://www.umich.edu/~benefits/tiaa-cref .
On the Phone
You can talk to a TIAA-CREF representative about investment choices, income options, pre-retirement illustrations and other ways to help get the most from your retirement plan, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET at 800 842-2776.
Back to top
|
