Benefits To-Do List for the New Year

1. Check your Check - Check your January paycheck to see if you are enrolled in the “correct” benefit plans. If you changed medical plans during Open Enrollment, verify that the plan you selected is shown. While you are at it, please double check your other benefit deductions. The longer a mistake goes uncorrected, the more difficult it is to correct and sometimes cannot be fixed at all.  If you find any errors, please send an e-mail to the benefits department at [email protected] immediately.

2. Are your Benes in Order?  - Are your Beneficiary Designations in order for        your retirement, life insurance and Savings plans?  Make sure your designations are up-to-date and current. If you are not sure who your Beneficiaries are, log onto the UCOP At Your Service  and the Fidelity to review your current selections. You can make the updates online.

3. Can you save premium costs?  - You may be able to save monthly premium costs by reviewing your disability insurance to see if your current coverage continues to meet your family needs. If you have over 30 days of accrued sick leave or vacation credits, you may be able to increase your waiting period and reduce your monthly premiums. UCOP At Your Service

4. Reduce your Taxes!  - You can reduce your taxes and save for retirement by taking advantage of tax deferral opportunities.  Learn how to access the Fidelity website to review your accounts and take advantage of many online “planning” tools available. Fidelity . Consider enrolling in a 403(b) or 457(b) plans and start saving for your retirement. You can defer up to $15,500 in each plan. If you are over 50 years old, you can contribute up to $20,500 in each plan for 2008.

5. HCRA/DCRA - Continue to submit eligible expenses towards your health care reimbursement and dependent care reimbursement flexible spending accounts through March 15, 2008. Submit all receipts for reimbursement before June 15, 2008.  Link to the third party administrator’s website to find your account balance and claim forms  SHPS

6. Medical Plan ID cards - Make sure that your new health plan member card has your correct information (e.g. PCP and Medical Group). If you find any problems, please contact your health plan customer service department immediately. Health plan contact  UCOP At Your Service

7. What is Behavioral Health? – Are you struggling with personal, family, and/or work stress issues? Behavioral Health Benefits are now administered separately from your health plan for most employees. You can learn more about United Behavioral Health benefits including a list of in-network providers and/or to get authorization for services. You can also utilize the Lab’s employee assistance program, CARE Services, at the UC Berkeley, University Health Services TANG Center. CARE is a resource that provides free, accessible and confidential assistance. Call (510) 643-7754 for a free and confidential phone or office consultation or e-mail [email protected].

8. Save on Drugs - Call your health plan’s prescription mail service provider (e.g. Express Scripts) to register your current prescriptions for coverage -- do not assume transfer of current prescriptions from old (e.g. Prescription Solutions) to the new plans provider (Express Scripts) is automatic. To learn more about your health plan’s  prescription drug provider at the website UCOP At Your Service

9. Ride Smart – You can save on commute costs through automatic pre-tax payroll deductions.  You can save money on taxes every pay period. It is easy to sign up and get started by creating an account with WageWorks https://www.wageworks.com/home.aspx.  Take advantage of online ordering, home delivery, and direct-payment advantages. Sign up today!

10. Having a Baby?   If you have a change in family status this year, remember to add any new dependents to your insurance plans within 31 days. Review your life insurance and disability plan to see if our current coverage still meets your family needs. To learn more about family status changes that affect benefit plans, please go to the  UCOP At Your Service Website