UUA Health Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

• How will this new UUA health plan work?
  Unlike most health plans offered by commercial insurance carriers, the UUA plan will belong to the UUA itself. A new UUA Health Insurance Trust will own and operate the plan on a non-profit basis to benefit the participants.
  
  The primary purpose of the plan is to enable congregations to fulfill their responsibilities to provide adequate health insurance to their ministers and other staff. By pooling our resources, we can obtain better insurance at lower costs than churches can individually. Most other religious denominations in the US have created plans for their congregations that are like the one being created by the UUA.
  
  Religious bodies strive to be mutually supportive and share in each other's burdens. The UUA health plan makes it possible for us to do this in a much needed and tangible way.
   
• Who will be eligible to enroll?
  Ministers, staff members, or other employees of UU organizations who work at least 1,000 hours per year may enroll, plus self-employed UU community ministers and community ministers who work for an organization that does not offer health benefits. We cannot accept applicants who work fewer hours per year, persons who are volunteers, or members of congregations who are not on the paid staff.
   
• Will I have to prove insurability in order to enroll?
  We will have an open enrollment from May 1 to October 15th. (NEW! Open Enrollment has been extended to November 27th.) If you sign up during the open enrollment period, there will no evidence of insurability requirement and no exclusion of pre-existing conditions. People who are currently eligible but apply after open enrollment closes may have to accept reduced benefits or other restrictions.
   
•  If I presently have other health coverage, do I have to switch to this plan?
  No, but we hope you will do a careful comparison of benefits and rates, and consider the value of joining a plan owned and operated by the UUA for the exclusive benefit of our members. You will not be penalized if you lose your other coverage and enroll in the UUA plan.
   
• Are there other events that will allow me the option to enroll after the open enrollment period closes?
  Yes. Other “Qualifying Events”, in addition to losing your present coverage, include marriage, divorce, other changes in dependent status, and an increase in work hours that puts you at or above the 1,000 hour threshold.
   
•  How will we recognize different family coverage configurations?
  People can enroll for coverage as an employee, employee plus spouse or partner, employee plus child(ren), or family.
   
•  Can I still see my current doctor?
  Yes. If your current physician accepts payment under the terms of the BCBS nation-wide provider network, which most do, you will receive the plan's higher level of benefits. If your physician is not in the network, or is on the staff of an HMO that does not work with BCBS, you may continue to use them, but at a lower benefit level.
   
•  Will I have access to a specialist if needed?
  Absolutely. Most primary care physicians today are pediatric, internal medicine, or family practice specialists. All of the other major specialties such as obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, oncology, urology, orthopedics, and the various surgical specialties are included in the network.
   
• What if I am away from home?
  Since the BCBS physician network is truly nation-wide, the chances are great that you will find network physicians anywhere you might travel in the US . The BlueCard Worldwide Program plan will cover needed care in many countries around the world. Needed emergency care will be covered anywhere.
   
•  What if I am over the age of 65?
  We expect that persons age 65 and older and who are still employed will be enrolled in Medicare for their primary coverage, with the UUA plan for their secondary coverage. Retirees with Medicare for their primary coverage should join to use the plan as if it were a “Medicare supplement.”
   
•  Does this plan cover prescriptions?
  Yes. Prescriptions obtained during a medical office visit or emergency treatment can be filled immediately, preferably at a retail pharmacy in the network. Enrollees needing ongoing medications on a continuing basis will be strongly urged to use a mail order prescription service in order to save money for themselves and the plan. The co-payments for generic drugs will be lowest in cost.
   
• What about dental and vision coverage?
  Eye or dental care or surgery needed because of accident or disease will be covered. The plan will not offer routine dental care or optometric examinations for the purpose of obtaining prescriptions for eyeglasses or contact lenses. The plan is not meant to be a replacement for group dental or vision care programs.
   
• Are all UU congregations required to participate?
  We wish that all UU organizations would use the plan in order to assure quality care, save on premiums for the church and the enrollees, and support a plan created and controlled by the UUA for the exclusive benefit of our congregations, but it is not required that all congregations use the plan.
   
• Must all eligible staff of a congregation enroll in order for any to enroll?
  No.
   
• Will congregations be required to contribute to the cost of the plan?
  We encourage all congregations to contribute at least 80% of the cost for this plan for employees and at least 50% of the cost for additional family members. Contributing to the cost is a concrete way for a congregation to demonstrate their commitment to UU principles of social justice and a life with dignity for all persons. Sharing the cost is also a good way to enhance plan stability for the future. Congregations that cannot meet the 80% guideline should carefully assess their funding capacity. Our District Compensation Consultants and our Health Plan Office are available for dialogue on funding concerns.
   
• How will individuals enroll?
  Eligible staff of UU organizations must complete the UUA Health Plan Enrollment Application and return it to the UUA before October 15, 2006. (NEW! Open Enrollment has been extended to November 27th). Enrollment Applications will be available here and on the websites  of the UUMA, LREDA, AUUA, UUMN, and the Society for Community Ministries. Most persons will complete the form online and transmit it electronically following the simple instructions.
  
  The Application form may also be able to be downloaded, printed out, completed by hand, and mailed to the UUA Health Insurance Plan at 25 Beacon St., Boston MA, 02108 , or sent by fax to (617)742-2875.
   
• What happens if my employment status changes between the time I enroll and the plan's effective date?
  If your employment terminates or your hours drop below 1,000 per year, your coverage will not take effect.
   
•  When will the insurance take effect?
  The plan will take effect January 1, 2007.

For further information: please contact Jim Sargent, UUA Health Plan Communications Coordinator, UUA, 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 - Telephone 617-948-6405 or email healthinsurance@uua.org .

UUA Health Plan