The following is an overview of the Bank Group MIP 2012 premiums and plan changes, including answers to frequently asked questions. 2012 MIP PremiumsAlthough the World Bank Group is an international financial institution, its location in the United States means that the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP) for Washington-based staff is greatly impacted by the continued cost increases in the delivery of U.S. healthcare. The projected medical inflation for the US is over 9% for 2012, far above general inflation. Over 95% of all claims submitted to the MIP are for care received in the United States. Co-pays, deductibles and coinsurance percentage amounts remain unchanged compared to 2011, and the Bank Group will continue to contribute three times the staff contribution amount. HRS continues to take steps to limit medical premium increases. The negotiation of a new prescription drug contract is anticipated to result in savings, and these savings have been applied directly to reduce the 2012 MIP premium increases.
G00071 MIP Premium Schedule, Active and Retiree Plans shows MIP 2012 premiums effective January 1, 2012. Figures shown in this document are semi-monthly (per paycheck).
MIP Open Enrollment Period: Change to November 2011
The MIP is moving the annual Open Enrollment period from December to November for staff members and their eligible family members who are not currently enrolled. Open Enrollment for all eligible staff will run concurrently with the annual Change Season when those who are enrolled in the MIP may change their coverage Option A, B, or C.
The following questions and answers provide information on 2012 Open Enrollment. - How does open enrollment differ from the change season?
While the Change Season allows you to change your MIP plan option (A, B or C), the Open Enrollment period allows you to enroll yourself, spouse, registered domestic partner and children under age 26 without submitting evidence of medical insurability to Aetna. This opportunity to enroll without medical evidence is being offered every year. All changes made during the Open Enrollment period, which runs from November 1 to November 30 will take effect as of January 1.
- Why did the open enrollment/change season move from December to November this year?
The Bank recognizes that many staff have year-end travel and other activities during the month of December. In addition, holding open enrollment in November will ensure that medical cards can be mailed by Aetna and Vanbreda by January 1, 2012.
- Will late enrollment still be offered under the MIP?
Late enrollment, which requires medical underwriting to add eligible family members during the year, will no longer be offered. However, there will be an expanded list of life events that will allow staff members to enroll eligible family members during the year, provided the enrollment is requested within 60 days of the life event.
- I applied for late enrollment and was denied due to a pre-existing condition. May I enroll now?
Yes. If you are still an eligible staff member or family member, you may enroll during the Open Enrollment period of November 1 through November 30, 2011. Your coverage will be effective January 1, 2012.
- Will staff have any other opportunities to make changes during the year?
Yes, the rules related to Life Events will continue to apply and have been expanded for 2012. This means that if you need to make plan changes consistent with certain life events (marriage, divorce, birth of a child, for example), you will still be able to make these changes, provided the change is made within 60 days of the event.
- What is the expanded list of life events which will allow staff members to make changes during the year?
Staff members will be able to make enrollment changes during the year for the following life events, provided the enrollment change is requested within 60 days of the event: - Birth/legal adoption of a child
- Marriage
- Divorce or annulment
- Death of spouse or child
- Change in employment status of the spouse or eligible child of a staff member, including:
- Commencement or termination of employment;
- Change in work shift
- Change in work site
- Reduction or increase of hours of employment (change from part-time to full-time, strike, lockout)
- Commencement of or return from an unpaid leave of absence (applies to staff member, spouse or eligible child)
- Change in legal custody that affects a child’s eligibility for health coverage by staff member or health plan of child’s other parent
- Entitlement or loss of entitlement to Medicare or Medicaid (staff member, spouse or child)
- Enrolled child’s attainment of a “limiting age” (generally age 26) under the MIP/MBP or health plan of the spouse/former spouse or domestic partner of the staff member
- Does the expanded list of life events apply to retirees participating in the RMIP?
No. Retirees participating in the RMIP will be able to make enrollment changes only due to the birth or legal adoption of a child or marriage.
- Will retirees in the RMIP have an open enrollment period to enroll children under age 26 and/or spouses?
No. There was a one-time window for retirees to enroll children under age 26 in the RMIP during 2011, which ended on May 31, 2011. There is not another open enrollment window for children or spouses of retirees.
- How do staff members eligible for the MIP make changes during open enrollment?
Staff members will receive an e-mail during the week of October 31 with links to enrollment forms and instructions on how to make changes to your enrollment for yourself and your eligible family members, including the documentation required for enrollment.
- If I am not adding eligible family members or changing MIP plan options, do I need to do anything during the open enrollment period?
No. If you are not making any changes to your current MIP election, or adding coverage for yourself and/or your eligible family members, you do not need to take any action during the Open Enrollment period.
Prescription Drug Changes for 2012- What changes will there be to MIP prescription drug benefits for 2012?
A new prescription drug vendor contract will be in place for 2012. More details will be coming in mid-December 2011.
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