Open Enrollment
During the open enrollment period, eligible employees and annuitants may enroll as “new”, change plans, or add eligible family members who are currently not covered under the PEMHCA program as employees or dependents.
- Covers Medical, Dental, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA), Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and FlexCash
- HCRA and DCRA require an annual re-enrollment (even if there are no changes) to maintain coverage
The annual open enrollment period runs from September 14 to October 9, 2009 with a January 1st effective date.
Active eligible employees may make changes during the open enrollment period the following ways:
- Health Plan-to- Health Plan changes can be done Online under myFresnoState or by submitting a hard copy of the open enrollment benefits worksheet.
- Download the Open Enrollment Benefits Worksheet form available only during Open Enrollment Period also available under Benefits Forms & Brochures A-Z and submit (hand delivered is preferred) to the Human Resources Office, Joyal Administration Building, Room 164 during the business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 8, 2009.
Annuitants may make open enrollment changes during the open enrollment period with CalPERS 1-888-225-7377.
2010 Benefit Changes
The following is a summary of some of the most important changes to your health benefits coverage effective January 1, 2010. View the health plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC) booklet for a complete explanation of the benefits covered, as well as limitations and exclusions that may apply. Be sure to review this information carefully to determine whether you need to make a health plan change.
PERS Select, PERS Choice, and PERSCare Basic Plans will:
- Comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424). Mental health and substance abuse benefits will be changed to achieve full parity with medical benefits.
- Cover medically necessary anesthesia during a colonoscopy screening (subject to prior authorization, deductibles, and co-payments).
Kaiser Permanente Basic Plan will:
- No longer cover chiropractic care; however, discounts are available up to 25% off.
- Modify the prescription drug benefit to a $5 Generic / $15 Brand name up to a 30 day supply in the retail pharmacies, and a $10 Generic / $30 Brand name up to a 100 day supply through mail order.
- Comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424). Mental health and substance abuse benefits will be changed to achieve full parity with medical benefits.
Blue Shield Basic Plans will:
- Comply with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (H.R. 1424). Mental health benefits will be changed to achieve full parity with medical benefits. Refer to the EOC for substance abuse benefit information.
Blue Shield will:
- Expand the NetValue service area to include an additional four counties:
- San Francisco
- Imperial
- San Luis Obispo
- San Mateo (designated regions)
