New nationwide medical and dental insurance plans offered in 2010 will provide faculty and staff more options for health care in the coming year, said Charles DeSantis, associate vice president and chief benefits officer.

“By creating more plan choices that offer national networks of providers, Georgetown employees can choose the best combination for themselves and their families in the coming year,” DeSantis said. “It’s part of our mission to live out the benefits office’s motto -- a commitment to provide choice, access and service.”

In addition to the insurance plans, the benefits office is unveiling new perks through the GUAdvantage program, which offers discounts on a variety of services. The will begin offering pet insurance this year.

Open Enrollment, the period to sign up for 2010 benefits, runs through Nov. 16. By that date, faculty and staff must select their medical, dental, vision and supplemental life insurance plans for the upcoming year.

Faculty and staff already should have received Open Enrollment packets at their home addresses earlier this month.

The benefits office has an online plan chooser available to help faculty and staff select appropriate medical and dental insurance options.

Employees also may meet with plan representatives during the GUWellness fairs scheduled throughout Open Enrollment. Fairs feature health consultations, wellness screenings, free seated massage and reiki, workshops, demonstrations and prize giveaways.

Medical Insurance
The new medical insurance plan administered through Aetna puts the plan options for 2010 at four this year for university faculty and staff.

The Aetna Open Choice PPO falls between the medical insurance options offered through UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus and CareFirst BlueChoice. The Aetna option will allow members to access network and nonnetwork providers without a referral. However, where the CareFirst providers are local, Aetna providers are nationwide.

“We wanted to offer a high-end plan that is less expensive than United, but still offers the PPO,” DeSantis said. “This allows faculty and staff to compare all four plans to decide what best fits with their needs.”

The Aetna plan costs $95.62 biweekly for employee-only coverage, $200.80 for employee and spouse/legally domiciled adult, $181.67 for employee and children and $286.85 for family coverage.

Costs for all plans may be found on the Open Enrollment Web site.

Dental Insurance
In 2010, Georgetown employees may opt for Delta Dental, the largest provider of dental insurance in the United States. The Delta plan replaces the CareFirst dental plan.

“Delta Dental has a more robust network, and its reimbursement levels are higher than our current plans,” DeSantis said. “The biggest benefit is the coverage it provides – even after you reach your annual benefit, you will still get discounted dental services.”

The Delta plan is split into standard and enhanced packages. The standard plan provides basic coverage for exams, cleanings and other routine care, up to $1,000 per calendar year. The enhanced plan provides for all services for up to $2,000 per year, and has a $2,000 lifetime orthodontia benefit for dependent children up to age 19.

Employees currently enrolled in CareFirst dental plans who do not make any changes during Open Enrollment will be enrolled by default in Delta Dental. Default enrollment in the standard or enhanced plan will be based off of current CareFirst enrollment selections.

Costs for Delta Dental and the Aetna DMO dental plans are available at the Open Enrollment Web site.

GUAdvantage Discount Program
The GUAdvantage program offers savings to cardholders on services ranging from long-term care, home and auto insurance to perks from local and national merchants.

This year, the GUAdvantage card includes a new pet insurance program for dogs, cats, birds and exotic animals. Coverage includes major medical conditions, including cancer, and the ability to use the insurance at any licensed veterinarian.

“We’re here to provide options to our employees and their families, and for many faculty and staff, pets are part of the family,” DeSantis said.

Faculty and staff will receive a new GUAdvantage card before year’s end. Employees may visit the GUAdvantage Web site to see a full list of insurance, savings bonds and other benefits offered through the program.

DeSantis Wants to Walk With You
In addition to making sure Georgetown employees get the options needed for medical care, the benefits office wants to use Open Enrollment to remind faculty and staff about GUWellness events -- including the weekly walk DeSantis leads around the Georgetown neighborhood.

“Right now, we’re recruiting more people to join the Georgetown team for the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk on Nov. 14,” DeSantis said. “We want to win the college cup in a friendly competition among D.C. universities.”

GUWellness has worked with the American Heart Association to encourage more walking at Georgetown. The Heart Walk is a 2.9-mile course looping around the National Mall that helps promote walking for exercise and heart health.

Faculty and staff may join the Georgetown team by visiting the Heart Walk page. Click on participant registration and join a team and search for Georgetown University.

-- Lauren Burgoon

(October 19, 2009)