GIC Health Fair
10 Park Plaza, Boston
Wednesday, 04/15/2015
11am – 3pm.

If you are already enrolled in the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) and are not making any benefit changes no action is required.

April 8 – May 6

For Changes Effective July 1, 2015

Annual enrollment time is here, giving you the opportunity to review your benefit options and choose a new health plan or make other benefit changes if you desire.  If you want to keep your current Group Insurance Commission (GIC) health plan, you do not need to fill out any paperwork.  Your coverage will continue automatically.  Please take this opportunity to think about what you and your family need in the way of health care and other benefits.

Do your homework during annual enrollment, even if you don’t plan to make any changes:

• Watch the Annual enrollment Video to find out the steps you should take during Annual Enrollment and tips on how to lower your out-of-pocket costs.

• Review the GIC Benefit Decision Guide for benefit and rate changes effective July 1, 2015.
• Consider enrolling in a limited network plan to save money every month on your premiums.  These plans have the same benefits as the wider network plans, but save money because they have fewer physicians, hospitals, and other providers.
• Contact the plans to find out if your doctors and hospitals still participate in your plan.  Specify the plan’s full name, such as “Harvard Pilgrim Primary Choice Plan” or “Harvard Pilgrim Independence Plan,” not just Harvard Pilgrim.
• Check on copay tier assignments that affect what you pay when you get specialist or hospital services.  Copay tiers can change each July 1 with new data.

Be sure to read your GIC Benefit Decision Guide for annual enrollment details.

During annual enrollment, if eligible, you may:

• Enroll in or change health plans
• Apply for the buy-out option
• Apply for Optional Life Insurance you may also do this anytime during the year
• Apply for Long Term Disability– you may also do this anytime during the year
• Apply for reduced non-smoker optional life insurance rates if you have optional life insurance as a smoker and have been tobacco-free for at least 12 months
• Enroll in GIC Dental/Vision or change dental plans if you are eligible (primarily Managers, Legislators, Legislative staff and certain Executive Office staff)
• Opt in or out of pre-tax premium basic life and health insurance deductions

Your GIC Benefit Decision Guide is an overview of GIC benefits; it is not a comprehensive plan handbook.  There may be other services that you and your family need.  Contact each plan to find out details about those benefits.

Keep in mind!  Once you choose a health plan, you cannot change plans during the year, unless you have a qualifying status change or move out of the plan’s service area or are retiring and become eligible for Medicare (in which case you must enroll in a Medicare plan).  If your doctor or hospital leaves your health plan, you must find a new participating provider in your chosen plan.

See the GIC’s website for the latest annual enrollment news, forms to expedite your decisions, and answers to frequently asked questions.  View and print from our website Summary of Benefits and Coverage documents, required by federal health care reform, that provide a summary of a GIC plan’s benefits and cost-sharing requirements.

Mark the Date!  Enrollment forms are due to your GIC Coordinator no later than Wednesday, May 6, 2015. Note that all forms have changed; be sure to use the new forms.