The University consistently monitors whether its insurance companies are providing competitive rates and service. While the University is pleased with Medical Mutual of Ohio’s service as a third-party administrator, it is good business practice to place the benefits package out for competitive requests for proposals to compare our current program with those offered by other companies. This ensures that the University is able to provide quality health-care choices to its employees at a reasonable cost.

In December 2005, Ohio University Human Resources’ Benefits Office issued a request for proposals for the administration of the University’s benefits package. After thoroughly reviewing proposals from 13 companies, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and EnvisionRx Options were chosen to administer the University’s medical and prescription drug plans. The Health Benefits Committee, the names of which are listed at the end of this letter, endorsed the bid process and the final selection.

Beginning July 1, 2006, Anthem will administer medical, dental, vision, and flexible-spending benefits and EnvisionRx will administer the prescription drug plan. Most benefit-plan design components, such as co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and the drug formulary, will not change.  In addition, there are no plans at this time to change employee payroll contributions. (Vision benefits for classified and AFSCME employees will continue to be covered by Vision Service Plan. Employees on the Eastern Campus still will have the Healthplan HMO as a benefit option.)  

In May 2006, the Benefits Office will hold open meetings across campus to introduce Anthem and EnvisionRx and to assist employees during this transition.  In June 2006, all employees will be issued new medical and prescription identification cards that will include a new address for submitting claims as well as customer-service information. For more information about our change to Anthem and EnvisionRx, please visit www.ohio.edu/uhr or contact the Benefits Office at (740) 593-1651 or (740) 593-4395.

Health Benefits Committee Members

Phyllis Bernt: Chair, Faculty Senate
Rosemary Butcher: Administrative Coordinator
Dave Coleman: Police Officer 1
Larry Corrigan: Associate V.P. for Finance and Administration
Kim Dickerson-Russell: Upholsterer 1
Greg Fialko: Director of Benefits and Compensation
Nancy Harris: Manager of Accounting and Human Resources
Dawn Jenkins: Assistant Director of Upward Bound
Barb Mash: Records Management Coordinator
Wendy Merb-Brown: Chair, Administrative Senate
Steve Reilly: Associate Professor
David Stretton: Assistant Professor
Jessica Wingett: Patient Account Representative-Billing
Jean Witkowski: Assistant Dean of Administration and Budget