At its Aug. 14 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the University System of Georgia (USG) 2025 health insurance plan and premiums for active-duty employees and retirees under age 65. The Board also approved funding for Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) for retirees age 65 and older.
USG continues to experience increasing costs in the healthcare market, including inflation and rising prescription drug costs. Unfortunately, this will impact USG healthcare plans. All plans will experience plan design changes and premium increases, however, wellness programs to support employee health will remain available. As USG has historically done, any cost increases for 2025 will be shared between employee and employer.
The following was approved by the Board for 2025:
Deductibles, copayment limits, coinsurance, and/or copayments will increase across USG Healthcare Plans. Employee monthly premiums will increase by 6.4% to 10.0%, depending on plan and coverage. The wellness program will continue, offering incentives of up to $100 to employees and covered spouses who complete designated wellness activities through their health care provider (Anthem or Kaiser). Employees and spouses enrolled in USG Healthcare Plans will be offered a weight loss support program through Weight Watchers. For employees enrolled in Consumer Choice HSA plans, the University contribution to the employee's health savings account will remain at $375 for employee-only coverage and $750 for family coverage. Dental rates will increase by 7.7%, but plan design will remain unchanged. Tobacco and working spouse surcharges will remain at $150 per month. Proof of status is required each enrollment year, and surcharges will apply if you do not. Certification must be made during the open enrollment period in the OneUSG Connect – Benefits system. Information is available at OneUSG Connect – Surcharges.
A summary of approved health plan design changes and premiums is available on the Benefits website.
The 2025 open enrollment period runs from October 28 to November 8. All 2025 enrollment selections and certifications must be completed through OneUSG Connect – Benefits by November 8. Active-duty employees will begin receiving open enrollment information via mail in the fall.
This year's UGA Benefits Fair will be held on October 18th from 10 am to 2 pm in Mahler Hall at the University of Georgia Continuing Education Center & Hotel. Faculty and staff are invited to attend to learn more about the USG Benefits Program, changes to benefit plans for 2025, and all the benefits USG and UGA offer. More information about this year's Benefits Fair will be shared in the coming weeks.
Retirees under age 65 and dependents under age 65 will continue to participate in the same plan as active employees and will also be subject to the design changes for 2025. As in previous years, the 2025 plan year will have a separate contribution rate schedule for retirees under age 65 that includes the same increases shared in the summary above.
Medicare-eligible retirees age 65 or older and Medicare-eligible dependents age 65 or older will continue to enroll in supplemental health insurance through Alight Retiree Health Solutions. Medicare Parts A and B provide the primary insurance coverage. USG also will continue to provide annual contributions to a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) that the retiree and/or dependent can use for insurance premiums and other eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses.
This year, the Board approved USG HRA contributions of $2,640 per year per Medicare-eligible retiree age 65 or older and per Medicare-eligible dependent age 65 or older. To receive USG HRA funds for 2025, retirees and/or dependents must enroll in insurance through Alight Retiree Health Solutions. The Medicare enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7, with coverage beginning January 1, 2025.
As always, retirees are encouraged to review their plan enrollment annually and contact Alight Retiree Health Solutions to evaluate their options for the coming year. Retirees have the opportunity to review available options, including low-premium Medicare Advantage plans (HMOs and PPOs) and Medicare Supplement plans, during Medicare's open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.
University Human Resources stands ready to assist with any questions you may have regarding Open Enrollment. Please visit the USG Benefits website for more information. If you have any questions regarding these health insurance benefits, please contact us at [email protected] or 706-542-2222.
