UTSA Enhances Premium Sharing For Some Faculty And Staff With Dependent Medical Insurance Coverage

To partially offset unusually high increases in medical insurance costs for UTSA employees, this year the University allocated a $50 monthly salary supplement for employees who had an annual salary rate of $40,000 or less and who purchased medical insurance coverage for their dependents beginning Sept. 1, 2000.

"The cost of medical insurance rose so much for some employees this year that UTSA made a decision to provide funds to some faculty and staff members who were hardest hit by the increases," said David Larson, vice president for business affairs.

UTSA President Ricardo Romo asked Larson and his staff to develop a plan to help faculty and staff who were hardest hit by increases in the cost of medical insurance this year. "Although the University may not be able to do this each time insurance costs escalate in the future, I felt it was crucial to do so this year because of the size of increase," Romo said.

According to Larson, 582 employees were eligible to receive assistance during the 2000-2001 fiscal year. These were faculty and staff members who purchased medical insurance coverage for additional dependents, not employees who selected "employee only" medical coverage.As part of the budget preparation for 2001-02, UTSA reviewed this program and will make the following changes effective Sept. 1, 2001.

The current salary supplement will be changed to a premium-sharing supplement. The salary eligibility cutoff will be increased from $40,000 or less to $50,000 or less. The amount of this supplement will be increased from $50 per month to $75 per month for employees who purchased medical insurance dependent coverage for themselves and their spouse or themselves and their children.

The amount of the supplement will be increased from $50 per month to $125 per month for employees who purchase medical insurance coverage for themselves and their family. "While insurance costs continue to rise, UTSA would not have enhanced the existing supplement if our employees were not facing a unique and significant increase in cost because HMO coverage from Prudential is no longer available," said Mr. Larson.

Faculty and staff eligible for the enhanced benefit are estimated at 685 for the 2001-2002 fiscal year. The 1,028 UTSA employees who choose "employee only" medical insurance will continue to receive coverage without paying monthly premiums.

UTSA employees have the option of three medical plans from which to choose. All employees will have the opportunity to change health care coverages during the annual open enrollment period July 1-31.

Benefits-eligible employees are now receiving their annual enrollment packets via campus mail. Detailed information for the UT Select plan and the HMOs, along with premium rates, is included in the annual enrollment packet. PIN numbers are being mailed separately to employees' and retirees' home address at the end of this month.

For benefits, call 458-4250 or visit human resources benefits section.