2008 Benefits Open Enrollment
The 2008 Open Enrollment for medical and dental coverage effective January 1, 2008 is open now through November 20th. The annual open enrollment gives Flight Attendants the opportunity to select the benefits that are most suitable for their personal circumstances. Flight Attendants may choose among the Traditional Medical Preferred Provider Option (PPO) Plan; a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), if available in your geographic area; the Traditional Dental Plan; or a Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO), if available in your geographic area; or "No Coverage" - the option to waive medical and/or dental coverage for 2008.
Once your choices have been selected, they may not be changed unless there is a qualified "life change" in your family status during the Plan year. Life changes in family status include: marriage or divorce, adding a qualified domestic partner or terminating a qualified domestic partner relationship, death of a covered eligible and birth or adoption. United must be notified of these changes within 30 days of the event either by calling the United Benefits Service Center at 1-888-825-0188.
Employee contributions for the PPO plans are governed by Section 33.A.2.d. & e. of our 2005 - 2010 Agreement. This provides us with a protection on our expenses in the event medical costs rise. In addition, the 2008 employees' co-payment for the mail delivery prescription drug program (MEDCO) will not exceed 7% of the 2007 cost rounded to the nearest dollar as stipulated in Section 33.A.3.l.(2).
The cost of any HMO(s) available in your area is indicated on the worksheet sent to your home by United in advance of the enrollment period. Even if you are currently enrolled in an HMO program, it's a good idea to review the terms and conditions of the HMO coverage for any changes in providers and/or benefits. You may review the 2008 HMO benefits by logging onto UAL Benefits, which is also easily accessed through the link on our "Useful Sites" page on www.unitedafa.org. During your review, be sure you are looking at the 2008 HMO schedule of benefits and providers.
If you decide to waive the United medical or dental coverage for 2008, you must indicate so during Open Enrollment. Under this "No Coverage" option you are not eligible to elect coverage outside Open Enrollment; unless a qualified life change occurs. Absent such an event, the next time you may enroll for coverage is during the 2009 Open Enrollment with coverage effective January 1, 2009. If you and your spouse/domestic partner are both eligible and covered by an employer sponsored medical and dental plan, take the time to review both plans. It may make economic sense to opt out of one plan and choose the family option on another.
Before finalizing your benefit selections for 2008, review the 2008 Open Enrollment information and your personalized worksheet. Double check to make sure that you made the correct selections, especially if you're funding a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Any errors or incorrect selections maybe changed prior to the end of Open Enrollment. Be sure to print your Open Enrollment confirmation statement if using the website or record the name of the representative you speak with along with the date and time if calling by phone.
