Annual benefits enrollment for 2021-2022 is coming soon

Updated July 8, 2021

From HR News

To the UT Southwestern Community:               

We are pleased to announce that annual enrollment for the 2021-22 benefit year starts Thursday, July 15, and continues until 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 31.

UT Southwestern employees have access to high-quality health care and benefits through one of two UT System medical plans: UT CONNECT or UT SELECT. If you wish to change your benefits or reenroll in a UT FLEX flexible spending account, you must make these elections during the enrollment period. If you do not wish to make any benefits changes or do not need to enroll in UT FLEX, no action is needed.

There are no changes to premium rates for the 2021-22 benefit year. Employee-only coverage will continue to be at no cost to full-time employees who select either medical plan option.

Some exciting new plan features have been added for 2021-22 that may be beneficial to our employees:

  • Increased physical and occupational therapy visits to 35 per condition – up from 30 visits per condition (UT SELECT and UT CONNECT members)
  • UT CONNECT primary care physician (PCP) office visit copays will be reduced to $5 from $15
  • COVID-19 treatment will be covered as any other illness. Applicable member cost share (copayments, deductible, coinsurance) will apply. The cost of the vaccine and testing will remain covered at 100 percent.
  • No evidence of insurability (EOI) requirements for Blue Cross Blue Shield disability plans during this year’s enrollment
    • NEW! The short-term disability (STD) benefit maximum is increasing to $850 weekly from $693. The elimination period is decreasing from 14 days to seven days or the exhaustion of sick leave, whichever is later. The long-term disability (LTD) benefit maximum is increasing to $15,000 per month, from $12,025.

UT Southwestern will host a virtual benefits fair July 21-22 to provide additional information so you can select the best coverage for you and your family.

Help is available

We understand you may have questions, and we encourage you to attend one of four virtual sessions with live representatives to learn more about the health plans and other benefit programs:

If you have further questions, please visit the benefits website at HR Resources or contact the UTSW Benefits Office at benefits@utsouthwestern.edu.

Annual enrollment for the 2021-2022 benefit year will run from July 15-31.

For the 2021-2022 enrollment period, there is no change to health insurance premiums. However, there is a change to the contribution rates for the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) plan, effective Sept. 1.

Watch for more information in the weeks leading up to annual enrollment, including registration for the virtual benefits fairs (July 21 and 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., details coming soon) and information sessions. If you have further questions, benefits@utsouthwestern.edu the Benefits Division, call 214-648-9830, or visit the Benefits and Insurance page on the new HR Resources website.