FYI: State Medical & Dental Plans-What's next?

[Human Resources List]

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This message is for the Benefits / Payroll / HR Community.  Please read
this information and share with your employees.

As many of you have heard, the State has announced its intent to award
medical contracts, starting on July 1, 2010, to United HealthCare and
Kaiser, as well as the dental contract to Delta Dental.  

What's next?

This is only the first step in the process.  In the coming months,
following the actual award of contracts, work will begin on the details
about what the medical plans for FY11 will be, what they will look like,
and what they will cost.  This work will also address doctor and
provider networks.  These details will be finalized in the coming months
and before the FY11 Open Enrollment (tentatively scheduled to begin
early May 2010), and information will be provided to agencies and their
employees when those details are complete.  
	
Why the change now?

The State must bid the various benefits contracts every five years.  The
State's medical and dental benefit contracts are in their fifth year,
and so were put out to bid.  

A dedicated group of employees from various state agencies reviewed all
of the proposals.  This group included professionals from several
departments that have employees statewide, qualified representatives
from COWINS and ACSPP (Association of Colorado State Patrol
Professionals), and two members of the Employee Benefits Unit staff with
extensive experience in employee benefits and insurance.  In addition,
several outside experts, such as an actuarial consultant, were brought
in during the process.  

Employee Benefits Team
Division of Human Resources
Department of Personnel & Administration
1313 Sherman, First Floor
Denver, Colorado 80203
303-866-3434 / 1-800-719-3434
Fax:  303-866-3879
benefits at state.co.us