New medical plan option for 2018-2019: UT CONNECT

We are pleased to announce that UT Southwestern employees and their families will have two options for health care coverage in the upcoming enrollment period for 2018-2019. In addition to UT SELECT, the UT System is offering a new medical plan – UT CONNECT. This new option is available to System employees and non-Medicare retirees residing in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

This new option is designed to provide seamless access to all the services of UT Southwestern and Texas Health Resources through Southwestern Health Resources, the clinically integrated network formed in 2016. It also offers savings to those who elect this coverage option.

UT CONNECT includes the exceptional care available through UT Southwestern, as well as access to the broad community presence of Texas Health Resources and community physicians located throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The UT CONNECT network also includes Children’s Health and Cook Children’s Medical Center.

Both UT CONNECT and UT SELECT will be administered through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. The two options will include the same core benefits.

UT CONNECT is designed to deliver distinct advantages of coverage, access, opportunities for savings, and services designed to make navigating health care simpler. The savings will come primarily from reductions in copayments for visits to both primary care physicians and specialists and hospital visits (such as no copayment for inpatient services), along with lower monthly employee-paid premiums for dependent coverage.

By adding this new option, we are seeking to enhance the health benefits options available to our UT Southwestern employees and their families. See more information about UT CONNECT and how it compares to UT SELECT. A listing of physicians, caregivers, and hospitals participating in the UT CONNECT network will be coming soon, and will also be available during the annual enrollment period beginning July 15.