Great effort was made by the University of Missouri System to get the word out on the 2015 health-benefit options. A key point was that all employees needed to take action during the enrollment period. Communication methods included town hall meetings, mailers, mass emails and stories in campus-specific publications such as Mizzou Weekly.
The efforts paid off. System reports that 98.9 percent of employees who were asked to choose a medical plan did so or waived coverage, and 99.7 percent made their choice online through myHR.
Employees living in nine counties of greater Columbia were offered the Custom Network Plan option, new for 2015. Forty-five percent chose the plan. System HR had hoped participation would reach 30 percent, said Kelli Holland, manager of communications and training.
Although most of the employees choosing the network plan work at MU, some are employed at system, the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla and the University of Missouri in St. Louis.
Meanwhile, 75 percent on the four campuses made a wellness pledge, indicating intent to participate in the 2015 Wellness Incentive. This exceeded system’s expectations by 15 percent, Holland said.
Look for more details on the 2015 benefit outcomes in coming weeks.