Annual enrollment 2018: What you need to know

The annual enrollment period for the 2018-2019 plan year is July 15-31. All benefits-eligible employees will have the option to make insurance coverage changes during that time. All employees with UT FLEX accounts must also re-elect this benefit each year during annual enrollment. Changes made during the enrollment period will take effect Sept. 1, 2018. You can find more information on UTSW's benefits and rewards webpage.

There will be no premium rate increases for UT Benefits programs for 2018-2019. For premium rates, please review the Benefits Cost Worksheet for Employees. 

The Benefits Division will begin hosting annual enrollment information sessions starting July 10, and the first benefits fair will be held July 13 at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital.

What is changing

Employees have two choices for medical coverage with the launch of UT CONNECT, which covers the same core services as UT SELECT and offers reduced out-of-pocket costs ­— including lower deductibles, copays, and monthly premiums for dependent coverage. Employee-only coverage in the UT CONNECT plan will still be offered with no monthly premium. As part of the comprehensive benefits coverage, enrollment in UT CONNECT includes the following benefits:

UT CONNECT logo
  • Lower copays for primary care physician (PCP) and specialist visits
  • $0 copay for the first PCP visit
  • $0 copay for inpatient hospital care at UTSW and Texas Health Resources hospital locations
  • Access to care through a network with over 4,200 physicians, caregivers, and health care leaders in North Texas including pediatrics

Visit the UT CONNECT Medical Plan page for more information.

Employees will also see a reduction in premium cost for the UT SELECT Dental Basic PPO, DeltaCare Dental HMO (Delta Dental), and Short Term Disability benefit options. 

What remains the same

Most plan designs will stay the same. As part of the comprehensive benefits coverage, enrollment in either medical plan includes the following benefits:

  • Free well-visits (annual checkups)
  • Access to customer service – which includes health care experts who use data, cost estimators, provider-finders, and other tools to enable consumers to maximize their health care benefits
  • 24/7 nurseline (888-315-9473)

Plan design enhancements

  • The UT FLEX health care reimbursement account maximum election amount has increased to $2,650 (previously $2,600).
  • The allowance for frames increased to $165 (from $150) for the Superior Vision Plus plan.
  • The hearing aid benefit increased to $1,000 per ear every three years (compared with $500 per ear every four years).

What you need to do

If you do not wish to make any benefit changes, no action is needed. If you want to change your medical plan to UT CONNECT, make any other changes, or re-enroll in UT FLEX, you will need to do so between July 15-31.

  • UT CONNECT customer service: 888-372-3398
  • UT SELECT customer service: 866-882-2034
  • For questions about annual enrollment, call the UT Southwestern Benefits Help Line at 214-648-9830.