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Benefits fair kicks off annual enrollment The University Employees’ Benefits Fair will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 at the portico on the MUSC Horseshoe and will kick off this year’s annual benefits enrollment period.   University employees who attend the benefits fair prior to annual enrollment can ask questions regarding their benefits and gather information from various vendors. During the annual enrollment, employees have the opportunity to make changes to their benefits, and consultants will be at the fair to process those changes.   Employees will be able to meet with representatives from a number of organizations including the S.C. Retirement System, Employee Insurance Program, Blue Choice Healthcare, CIGNA, Social Security Administration, Money Plus, supplemental retirement companies, and supplemental insurance companies. Raffles also will be held.   Annual enrollment will last from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31 when employees are allowed to make changes to their benefits without providing proof of a qualifying event. These changes will become effective Jan. 1, 2009.   Employees may: Change from one health care plan to another. Enroll in the Optional Life program for up to $50,000 in $10,000 increments without medical evidence of insurability. For those currently enrolled, increase Optional Life coverage up to an additional $50,000 in $10,000 increments without medical evidence of insurability. Enroll/re-enroll in MoneyPlus, Medical Spending Account, Dependent Care Account and/or the Health Savings Account for 2009. MUSC Options, a health plan offered in Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton and Dorchester counties will no longer be available as of Jan. 1, 2009. Subscribers enrolled in MUSC Options should choose another plan during annual enrollment. Those who do not make a choice will be changed to the Standard Plan (State Health Plan). Long term care insurance provider changes The Employee Insurance Program (EIP) is always seeking the best possible insurance options for enrollees and their families, recognizing the importance of helping to protect assets and independent lifestyles through long term care insurance. The Prudential Insurance Company of America (Prudential) was selected to serve as the new EIP long term care insurance provider beginning Jan. 1, 2009. The previous carrier, Aetna Life Insurance Company (Aetna), is no longer selling group long term care insurance. Therefore, all new long term care insurance plans will be carried by Prudential.   Prudential Long Term Care Insurance will be available for employees, retirees and qualified family members, such as a spouse, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandparent-in-law, siblings and adult children and their spouses.   People enrolled in the Aetna long term care plans will be able to replace Aetna long term care insurance coverage with the new Prudential plan without evidence of insurability, and at rates based on the age the insured was when that person first purchased Aetna coverage. Enrollees also may opt to remain in their current Aetna long term care plan.   For those EIP subscribers who are not enrolled in the Aetna long term care insurance plan, Prudential will provide, from Feb. 16, 2009 through March 6, 2009, an opportunity to purchase long term care coverage with no evidence of insurability required. A spouse, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, grandparent-in-law, siblings and adult children and their spouses may also enroll during that time, with evidence of insurability. Employees should make their annual enrollment changes online at http://www.eip.sc.gov/mybenefits.   Employees may also visit benefits consultants from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31 in Suite 102 of Harborview Office Tower, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. for assistance. Log on to http://www.musc.edu/hrm for 2009 plan updates.   To learn more about benefits, attend one of the annual enrollment briefings: 10 a.m. to noon, Oct. 9, Room 125, Gazes Auditorium; 10 a.m. to noon, Oct. 14, Room 188, Education Center/Library Building; 10 a.m. to noon, Oct. 21, Room 118, Education Center/Library Building. Friday, Sept. 12, 2008 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.