Postdoc Administrator Newsletter; August 11, 2010
Welcome to the August edition of the Postdoctoral Scholar Coordinator Newsletter. I apologize for taking a month off, but open enrollment for residents and clinical fellows was extremely challenging this year. That being said, I am still and always committed to giving you tips to assist you in managing and administering postdoc benefits. Enough with all the small talk, let’s get right into it, shall we?
Changing Medical Groups & PCP’s:
I’ve received countless phone calls from postdocs and their coordinators expressing their displeasure over being assigned to medical groups or primary care physicians (PCPs) that they wish to change. If this ever becomes an issue that you, the coordinator must address, fret not! Under the HMO plan (Health Net), medical groups and PCPs can be changed once a month. Please note, in order for the change to take place on the first of the following month, the postdoc must make the change before the 15th of the current month. For example, if I make a change request on 8/14/10, the change will be effective 9/1/10. Any request made after the 15th will result in the change becoming effective the first of the month after the following month (e.g., a change request submitted on 8/16/10 will not become effective until 10/1/10). In the meantime, in order for services to be covered by Healthnet, you will have to see the PCP that is assigned to you until the change has become effective. In order to make the change, please have the postdoc call Healthnet’s member services line at 1-800-522-0088.
Insurance switch
Did you know that you can change your medical insurance outside of open enrollment? You can only change medical insurance policies (PPO or HMO) during open enrollment or a qualifying event. You have 31 days from the date of the qualifying event (such as a marriage or a birth). Without such a qualifying event, you will have to wait until open enrollment. Unfortunately, open enrollment is the only time when a postdoc can change their dental insurance policies (PPO or DHMO). If a postdoc has decided to make a medical insurance change during qualifying event, please have the postdoc complete the Postdoc benefits enrollment form and submit the form to me to have it processed.
I hope this edition delivered some helpful tips that you can pass on to your department. Remember, if you have any questions or recommendations on how to improve this newsletter, feel free to contact me. And, always never forget to work smarter not harder!