NMU Human Resources has scheduled its annual enrollment period for various benefit plans from Monday, Nov. 7, through Monday, Nov. 14. This is the time for faculty and staff to enroll if they haven’t already, or to add or delete spouses and dependents. Employees are automatically enrolled in health, prescription, dental and vision coverage each year. Those who want to participate in flexible spending accounts must take steps to enroll annually. Human Resources has also announced that, following a bid process, new carriers for prescription drug and vision benefits will go into effect Jan. 1.

CVS/Caremark will become the pharmacy benefits manager and EyeMed Vision Care will administer vision benefits. To find out if an optometrist is in the EyeMed network, visit eyemed.com and select "Insight Network." NMU is working with EyeMed to solicit/add additional providers prior to Jan. 1. Employees should continue to check the site for updates to provider listings.

“The carriers selected provided enhanced member programs as well as cost savings versus our current carriers,” said Rhea Dever, assistant vice president for Human Resources. “As medical and prescription drug costs continue to rise nationally, any savings will help offset future cost increases. There are no changes to NMU’s benefit plan designs. Medical deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance maximums remain the same. The triple tier in-network pharmacy co-pay structure remains $15/$30/$60 and $10/$20 at the NMU Health Center. Some members may see changes in co-pay amounts paid for certain prescription drugs, with some co-pays amounts decreasing and some co-pay amounts increasing.”

As a result of the changes, employees will receive a new cards from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CVS/Caremark and EyeMed. The new carriers will also mail comprehensive welcome kits to employees, who will also have access to ID cards via mobile apps. Another new enhancement taking effect in January will be the availability of 24/7 online doctor’s visits.

More information on all of this will be distributed via email beginning Monday. Information sessions about flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health and prescription drug coverage, dental and vision benefits and supplemental life insurance will be scheduled in December.