Penn State Intercom......January 16, 2003

Expanded benefits information is now accessible on the Web

Employees are now able to access more of their benefits information online, thanks to a new, secure Web site from the Employee Benefits Division.

Through the new site, called the Employee Benefits Inquiry System (EBIS), regular full-time faculty and staff can verify their current benefit plan and dependent information as well as view their current deductions for flexible spending accounts, 403(b) and 457(b) supplemental retirement plans. A valid Penn State User ID and password are required to access the site.

In addition, those enrolled in flexible spending accounts may view their flex claim and payment activity, as well as the current balance in their accounts. As in the past, flexible benefit reimbursements will be processed weekly and participants will continue to receive e-mail notification of direct deposit to their bank account.

Changes in benefits, such as the addition or deletion of a dependent, will be reflected in the EBIS system as soon as they are processed in the Employee Benefits Division. Flexible benefits claim information will update after business hours each Friday and will be available with the receipt of the e-mail notification of deposit.

The Employee Benefits Inquiry System can be accessed from the Employee Benefits Division Web site at http://www.ohr.psu.edu/benefits/benefits.htm The site includes an online feedback survey.

Lifetime Maximums

The University's Hospital, Surgical, Major Medical Plan (Plan A) as well as the PPO (Healthpass in those areas where HealthAmerica administers the plan; Open Choice where Aetna is the plan administrator) each are subject to lifetime coverage maximums. The maximum benefit for each covered individual (either employee or dependent) is $500,000. However, there are provisions for the restoration of some or all of the amounts previously used.

On Jan. 1 of each year, each covered person who has had health-care services provided by their health plan automatically will have an amount restored for future use. The amount restored each year will be either the amount needed to bring the maximum back to the full amount or $1,000, whichever is less.

Additionally, at any time after the amount charged toward an individual's overall maximum has exceeded $1,000, that individual may request a full restoration of the benefit by furnishing satisfactory proof that he or she is in good health. The decision to grant full restoration is at the discretion of the health plan administrator.

Questions about the restoration process can be directed to the Employee Benefits Division at (814) 865-1473 or by e-mail to bene@psu.edu.

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