Despite national forecasts calling for medical insurance costs to rise 15-18 percent and prescription plan rate hikes to reach 18-20 percent, the University has been able to cap at 8 percent the overall increases in three of the packages it offers employees.

With the fourth health insurance carrier, the University negotiated a 22 percent increase down to 15 percent.

Faculty and staff will update their medical insurance and other benefits packages during open enrollment for Benelect 2003 November 18 through December 2, with the Benefits Fair-called Benefits Roundup this year-from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. November 19 and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. November 20 in the Excelsior Ballroom of Thwing Center.

In addition to the small increases in premiums, other changes employees will find in their benefits packages for next year include a new pharmacy service for three health insurance plans, slightly higher deductibles for some medical services and slightly lower rates for life insurance. In addition, the annual contribution to the health care spending account will be higher in 2003, as will the monthly premium for the Hyatt Legal Plan. Dental enrollment is not open this Benelect season.

In probably the biggest change for the coming year, AdvancePCS is the new pharmacy service for MMO Traditional, QualChoice POS and SuperMed Plus PPO health insurance packages. A separate prescription program application is required for these three plans.

Benelect packets, which include the prescription application, a worksheet and confidential PIN, benefits overview and enrollment guide and price sheet should have already been circulated to employees.

Faculty and staff can make changes to their benefits packages using the online BEN system on computers connected to the University network beginning at 7 a.m. November 18 through 8 p.m. December 2.

Access to BEN, enrollment applications and a benefits representative also will be available at the Benefits Fair; in the Benelect office from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. November 21 through December 2; and from satellite enrollment offices in the ARC conference room of the Animal Resource Center from noon to 3 p.m. November 22, room A101 of the Veteran's Administration Hospital from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. November 25 and room R176, Rammelkamp Center, at Metro Health Medical Center from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. November 26.

In addition to completing Benelect enrollment, employees can speak directly to plan representatives and the University's 403(b) retirement investment firms and receive information about employee services and special discounts during the Benefits Fair.

The fair also will offer free flu vaccines in the Thwing 1914 lounge to employees with their CWRU IDs; free cholesterol tests and diabetes screenings (no fasting required) to 150 employees each day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. November 19 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. November 20 in meeting room B of Thwing; and bone density tests from 1:15-3:15 p.m. November 20 at a cost of $15 per person, for which employees must register from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. November 19.

Representatives from Ohio Central Savings and other local banks also will be on hand to discuss services, and employees can enjoy light refreshments and enter a raffle for a chance to win special prizes.