Correction
In the Oct. 26 issue of Berkeleyan, the phone number for the UC Retirees' Association was given as 642-5464. The correct number is 642-5461.
Around Cal Cutline
A Typical Berkeley Class
In 1898, that is. Here, professor Andrew Lawson, far left, conducts a geology class in South Hall. Lawson (1861-1952) came to Berkeley in 1890 as a professor of geology and mineralogy, retiring in 1928. He developed the first systematic field course in geology in the West, and possibly the US, chaired the 1906 State Earthquake Investigation Commission, helped found the Faculty Club, headed the College of Mining 1914-17, and received honorary doctorates from UC (1935) and Harvard (1936).
Open Enrollment
Continued from page 1
The change that will likely affect the largest number of Berkeley employees, said Gutierrez, is the QualMed merger into Health Net.
"Those in QualMed will have to make an active decision. They can either go into Health Net or choose another plan. If they don't make a choice, they will default into Health Net," said Gutierrez.
While QualMed doctors will remain in Health Net, there were differences in the way the two plans operated, she said.
Most noticeable to patients is that QualMed physicians could refer patients to any specialists affiliated with QualMed. With Health Net, patients select a primary care physician within a medical group who refers patients to specialists within the group.
"You need to be aware that physicians in Health Net will be affiliated with a medical group, and you won't usually be referred outside that group," said Gutierrez.
The other change of note is with the UC Care Plan. The plan has been redesigned into a point-of-service plan with three tiers combining HMO and fee-for-service features.
Tier one operates as an HMO and pays all costs less a co-payment.
In tier two, members use a network doctor and the plan pays 80 percent (down from 90 percent) of the costs, less the deductible. In tier three, patients can chose a doctor outside the network, and the plan pays 60 percent, less deductible.
Gutierrez noted that the booklet titled "Open Enrollment 1994" mailed to employees includes on page 6 toll-free telephone numbers for each plan and urged employees to contact individual providers with specific questions on their coverage and costs.
Choosing the Right Health Plan for You
Selecting your health insurance and physician begins with establishing priorities.
If low cost and minimal paperwork are the most important features, a health maintenance organization may be worth considering.
If you are simply changing HMOs, including moving into Health Net from QualMed, be sure your doctor, preferred specialists, and choice of hospital are all accessible with the medical group you select.
If unlimited freedom to select health care providers is your only priority, a fee-for-service plan may be your best choice, although it will be more expensive. The point-of-service plan, on the other hand, combines some of the features of both HMOs and fee-for-service plans and lets you decide the features you want to use with each need for health care.
Some individuals choose access to their current doctor over the type of health plan. If you are satisfied with your current doctor, talk with him or her and the office staff to verify which insurance plans and medical groups within the plans they subscribe to.
Finding a doctor--your primary care physician--that is a good fit for you is a critical step. It is important to fully research your choice of primary care physician as you would any major decision or purchase.
The best time to choose is when you are well and have time to interview providers. Another way to find a compatible doctor is through recommendations of friends, family, or co-workers.
By selecting a doctor as a partner with whom you can communicate well and share decision-making, you can get better medical care, help avoid unnecessary medical procedures, lower your out-of-pocket expenses, and stay healthier.
"Open Enrollment-A Primer for Selecting Your Health Insurance and Physician," available from Health*Matters and CARE Services on campus, provides additional information. The handout discusses the types of health insurance available to Berkeley employees, priorities to consider when making choices, and provides a variety of questions to ask when looking for a primary care physician. It is available from department benefits counselors, at all open enrollment presentations this month, and from Health*Matters by calling 643-4646 or e-mail tratto@uclink2.
For additional information on coverage for mental health services, call a counselor with CARE Services at 643-7754 or request the handout "Anticipating Your Mental Health Care Needs in Choosing Health Insurance." All requests will be kept confidential.
Monthly Health Plan Costs
Plan Single 2-party Family
Core $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ 0.00
Foundation 16.00 25.00 45.00
Health Net 0.00 0.00 0.00
Kaiser North 0.00 0.00 0.00
Prudential High Option 133.55 228.97 275.72
TakeCare 7.00 13.00 20.00
UC Care 3.97 7.61 10.43
Open Enrollment Pre-Fair Information Meetings
Benefits will hold four pre-fair open enrollment information sessions to give an overview of the Health Net/QualMed merger and the UC Care Plan redesign. More information will be available at the Open Enrollment Fair Nov. 16, 9 am-3 pm in Pauley Ballroom.
Nov. 2, Wed., 159 Mulford
Nov. 4, Fri., 160 Kroeber
Nov. 7, Mon., 105 Northgate
Nov. 11, Fri., 159 Mulford
All sessions are noon-1 pm.
Staff Enrichment: Employee Development And Training
For more information, for copies of the 1994-95 Employee Development and Training catalog, or for information on how to enroll in classes, call 642-8134.
New Horizons For Current Employees
Nov. 22, 8:30 am-noon, Room 24, University Hall
Learn about the internal transfer and recruitment process, promotional opportunities, and career mobility resources at Berkeley.
Health*Matters
For information, a complete program flyer, or to enroll, call 643-4646.
Computers at Work
Nov. 3, 10:30 am-noon
Learn about health issues related to computer use, design a user-friendly workstation, practice exercises to relieve computer-related aches and pains.
Personnel
Time for MAP Reviews
In the past few years, the Management and Professional (MAP) review cycle has become an annual event, conducted in January each year, rather than a semi-annual one. The next review is scheduled for January 1995.
Supporting material for MAP reclassifications, either within the MAP program or from another program into MAP, should be submitted to Compensation Manager Dorla Cantu by Friday, Dec. 2. The Personnel Office requests that position descriptions be kept to a maximum of two pages specifically addressing MAP classification factors, and that supervisors submit an up-to-date organization chart and cover letter highlighting significant changes to the position in support of the classification review. As was the case last year, only positions that have changed significantly should be submitted for review.
Requests must be routed through the control unit's vice chancellor for review before forwarding to the Personnel Office. If you have questions about the MAP review process or the documentation needed, please contact your department's compensation analyst.
Deaths
Frank Baron, professor emeritus of civil engineering, died Oct. 17 at the age of 80. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm Saturday, Nov. 5, at St. Clement's Church, 2837 Claremont Boulevard in Berkeley.
Baron was especially noted for his pioneering research in seismic analysis and design of major bridges in the Bay Area, including the Golden Gate, Dumbarton Bridge, and the proposed southern crossing. He was a consultant to several projects involving major roof structures, including St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco, the Oklahoma Arena, and the Arizona Coliseum.
Born and raised in Chicago, Baron studied architecture and civil engineering at the University of Illinois, where he earned his BS (1935) and MS (1936). In 1939 he completed his doctorate in civil engineering at Harvard, where he briefly taught.
Baron moved to Yale in 1939, where he reached the rank of associate professor of civil engineering before leaving in 1946 for Northwestern. He moved to Berkeley in 1953, where he was especially noted for devotion to his students, retiring in 1982.
Baron chaired the US Council of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering and was twice the recipient of the ASCE's Leon S. Moisseiff Award.