Print this pageChanges effective January 1, 2009
Benefit changes
For plans that cover hearing aids, the hearing aid benefit will increase to $800 maximum plan payment every 36 months. The current benefit ranges from $300 – 400. Exception: Kaiser Senior Advantage Value, Premera Blue Cross Medicare Supplement Plan E and Plan J, and SecureHorizons Value don’t cover hearing aids. Although SecureHorizons Value does not cover hearing aids in 2008, it will offer a $500 maximum plan benefit every 36 months for hearing aids in 2009.
The maximum plan payment for chemical dependency services will increase to $14,500 per 24 consecutive calendar months for inpatient and outpatient treatments combined. (The current benefit is $14,000 for the same period.)
For Willamette Dental, routine coverage for out-of-area students will no longer be available starting January 1, 2009. Out-of-area students can continue to receive coverage for a dental emergency from any licensed dentist when he or she is more than 50 miles from a Willamette Dental Group provider. Emergency coverage reimbursement is limited to $200 per covered emergency encounter.
Flexible spending account changes
A flexible spending account (FSA) allows you to set up a tax-free savings account to help pay for your and your family’s health care costs. It’s available to eligible employees who work at state agencies, higher-education institutions, and community and technical colleges. The maximum annual amount that you can contribute toward your FSA will increase to $3,600 in 2009, up from $2,400 in 2008. (The minimum annual contribution amount will stay at $240.) To enroll or continue your enrollment for 2009, visit ASI’s website.
Medical and dental plan premiums
Medical and dental plan premiums will change in January. (Employees who work for state agencies, higher-education institutions, and community and technical colleges do not pay dental plan premiums.) Find your rates here.
State contribution increases for Medicare retirees
The state-funded contribution toward a Medicare retiree's premiums will increase to $182.89 in 2009, up from $164.08 in 2008.
Life and long-term disability insurance rates decrease
Employees will pay slightly less for their optional life and long-term disability insurance in 2009 due to excess reserves. The rate reduction for life insurance is guaranteed for three years; and for long-term disability insurance, two years.
You can find the new employee life insurance, retiree life insurance and long-term disability rates on PEBB’s website.
Eligibility change
Effective January 1, 2009, you can enroll a new type of family member—adult dependents.
Unlike other eligible dependents who enroll under your account, adult dependents enroll under a separate account. That is because your adult dependent does not receive the state’s contribution toward his or her health care coverage like your other family members.
Your adult dependent must enroll in the same medical and dental plans you choose, unless:
- He or she lives outside of your plan’s service area; or
- You defer PEBB medical coverage, or enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan E or Plan J or SecureHorizons (if you are a retiree).
To enroll an adult dependent, you must complete and submit an Adult Dependent Enrollment/Change form (available October 27) to the PEBB Program. You can do this either during open enrollment or within 60 days of your child qualifying for adult dependent coverage (for example, within 60 days of your child losing student eligibility). You must pay the first month’s premium before we can enroll him or her in PEBB coverage.
