Human Resources shares enrollment updates on preventive drugs, dental providers, more

Human Resources has announced that the preventive drug list coverage from Express Scripts will not change for 2017 as previously expected. Anthem also has provided updated dental recruiting information for employees to review. The deadline for benefits open enrollment is 6 p.m. EST Friday (Nov. 11).

Preventive drugs update

Open enrollment guides and other materials indicated there would be a revised, more standardized preventive drug list for 2017, and that affected employees would receive notification from Express Scripts. However, the letters were delayed and have not been mailed. As a result, Human Resources has worked with Express Scripts and the preventive drug changes will NOT be made for 2017. 

What this means is that employees will see no disruption from the preventive drug list being used for 2016 and will not need to seek alternative preventive medications. Purdue will reconsider this change for 2018. 

Aside from the full preventive drug list, Express Scripts has updated the online pricing tool to reflect the correct list of preventive medications. Persons who have made any enrollment decisions based on the preventive medication changes have until 6 p.m. EST Friday (Nov. 11) to make any changes. 

Dental updates

Anthem has provided a detailed update on its dental provider recruiting effort as of Monday (Nov. 7). This will be the last update during open enrollment. Employees can continue to monitor the progress of Anthem's efforts even after enrollment is completed on the Benefits website.

Important reminders about dental:

* It is important that all employees actively enroll for 2017 dental plans or they will have no coverage in 2017, not even the preventive dental. Employees should make sure not to opt out of dental coverage if they really intend to enroll for just the preventive coverage.

Enrollment for dental is totally separate this year from the medical plans. Employees will choose a medical plan and who they want to cover, then will be asked to make a separate choice about a dental plan and who they want to cover.

Instructions for reviewing what dentists are participating in-network can be found via the updated recruiting list provided by Anthem.  

Instructions are also provided for nominating a nonparticipating dentist. However, before nominating a dentist, a person should review information about the current status of Anthem’s recruiting efforts.

Health savings accounts

Employees who have enrolled in either high-deductible health plan -- Purdue Health Plan with HSA 1 or the Purdue Health Plan with HSA 2 -- are asked to confirm their enrollment for the HSA. Human Resources has noticed that some employees are enrolling in these plans but have not set up to receive the University contribution of $650 for an individual or $1,300 for more than one enrolled. Employees are asked to review their confirmation statement or log back into EBenefits to ensure they have enrolled properly. 

Some employees decline the employer contributions intentionally if they are unable to receive HSA funds. The online HSA Interactive Tool is available for those who are unsure whether they qualify to receive and use HSA funds. Below is a reminder of how the choices in EBenefits should be used to enroll for the HSA:

* Employee + Family Contribution to HSA: This applies for those who have more than themselves in the plan and want to make employee HSA contributions. Purdue will contribute $1,300.

* Employee Only Contribution to HSA: This applies for those who are enrolling in employee only medical coverage and want to make employee HSA contributions. Purdue will contribute $650.

* Waive Employee Contribution to HSA – Family Only Coverage:  This applies for those who are enrolling in employee only medical coverage and only want to receive the Purdue HSA contribution.  Purdue will contribute $1,300.

* Waive Employee Contribution to HSA – Employee Only Coverage:  This applies to those who are enrolling in employee only medical coverage and only want the Purdue HSA contribution. Purdue will contribute $650.

* Decline HSA – This applies for those who do not wish to receive or make any HSA contributions.

Resources available

Questions may be emailed to hr@purdue.edu or employees can contact Customer Service at765-494-2222. Faculty and staff at the Fort Wayne and Purdue Northwest campuses can contact their Human Resources department for assistance.

Keep in mind that no changes to benefit selections will be accepted after 6 p.m. EST Friday (Nov. 11) unless there is a qualifying life event (change in family status).