UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 29, Page BENEFITS-1
April 29, 1993
Benefits
Letter from VP for Employee Relations

                                                              April 29, 1993

To:       Flexible Benefits Participants
From:     Maxine Colm,
          Vice President for Employee Relations
Subject:  Flexible Benefits Enrollment Period

     The University's Flexible Benefits Program begins its sixth year of
operation on July 1. As a participant, you will receive materials in early
May to help you assess your health care needs and other benefits options.
This will include the Flexible Benefits book and, under separate cover,
your personalized enrollment form. This year, the enrollment period runs
from May 3 through May 14. You only need to return the enrollment form if
you are making a change in benefit coverage, joining or continuing your
participation in a flexible spending account (FSA).
     As you know, the Flexible Benefits Program gives you the opportunity
to choose the amount of coverage you need and to decide how your benefits
dollars will be spent. The cost for basic, dental, life and disability
insurance is covered by UDollars. Because FSAs help pay for other expenses
such as day care and certain nonreimbursable health care expenses, you may
wish to consider FSA deductions which are deducted from your paycheck on a
before-tax basis.
     I am also pleased to tell you that the elements of the University's
Flexible Benefits Program remain essentially the same as in prior years.
However, the ever-increasing cost of health care coverage continues to
affect all of us. The University has increased the UDollars to cover its
share of this year's rate increases, and your cost will increase as well.
It is important, therefore, that you carefully review your personal health
care needs and compare the costs and benefits of each option before you
make a decision about which program is right for you.
     If you have questions, please call the Benefits Office, at 831-6349 or
831-8156, and also plan to attend one of the May workshops, which will help
in your review of available health care options.