Benefits Update - January 19, 2010

EIP Direct (Employee Insurance Program) December 2009 Issue:
http://www.eip.sc.gov/news/newsletter_detail.aspx?view=newsletters&id=219

EIP Direct Topics:

The New 2010 Insurance Benefits Guide is Available
Free & Clear and American Cancer Society Join Forces
Flu Vaccine Clinics Are Available in South Carolina

Prevention Partners - Health Promotion and Education

Please visit Prevention Partners website to obtain information on specific programs and available seminars regarding preventive health.
http://eip.sc.gov/news/newsletter_detail.aspx?view=newsletters&id=222

Benefit Premiums

Insurance premiums for January 2010 coverage was reflected in the December 24, 2009 check date. This includes the Tobacco Surcharge imposed by the State. MoneyPlu$ Medical Spending, Dependent Care, Health Savings Accounts and fees for 2010 were reflected in the January 08, 2010 check date.

Please review your paycheck on-line by accessing the following link: Employee Self Service (Includes View Pay Check) ; to verify benefit deductions and open enrollment changes go to: http://www.eip.sc.gov/mybenefits/. Please report any discrepancies to the benefits office.

Insurance Benefits Guides (IBG)

The Employee Insurance Program (EIP) is dedicated to helping subscribers get the most out of their insurance benefits. One of the most helpful tools EIP produces each year is the Insurance Benefits Guide, a publication that includes explanations of benefits, premiums and contact information and an overview of the health plans and other programs offered through EIP.

2010 Insurance Benefits Guides will not be distributed hard-copy through interoffice mail. Participants may reference the following site for on-line Insurance Benefits Guides:
http://www.eip.sc.gov/category/index.aspx?cat=1&p=2

Participants may reference the following site for on-line provider directories:
http://www.eip.sc.gov/category/index.aspx?cat=1&p=1

Free & Clear and American Cancer Society Join Forces

The American Cancer Society and Free & Clear, Inc., have announced a partnership to reduce tobacco use. As a result, the cancer society's Quitline will merge with Free & Clear's Quit for Life Program.

Calling tobacco use "one of the most prevalent, unhealthy behaviors leading to cancer, debilitating chronic disease and early death," Tim Kilgallon, president and chief executive officer of Free & Clear, says the collaboration will allow each organization to focus on what it does best. The cancer society will build awareness of the scientific evidence of the danger of tobacco use and promote the tobacco cessation service. Free & Clear will provide the telephone- and Web-based cessation service.

Help ending tobacco use is available at no charge to Employee Insurance Program subscribers and their eligible dependents:

• As part of the Quit for Life Program, a Quit Coach works with BlueChoice HealthPlan and State Health Plan enrollees to create a personalized, 12-month Quit Plan. All participants may receive unlimited support from a Quit Coach for 12 months by contacting Free & Clear by telephone or by e-mail. If additional support is needed, the participant can re-enroll. Free nicotine replacement products are provided, if appropriate. A coach also may recommend a smoking cessation drug, which is available through both plans' prescription drug coverage. To register, call 866-QUIT-4-LIFE (866-784-8454) or go to the Prevention Partners section of the EIP Web site http://www.eip.sc.gov/prevention/ and use the "Click to Call" button to ask for a call from a Quit Coach.
• CIGNA HMO offers the Quit Today Tobacco Cessation Program. The year-long program includes unlimited calls to a coach, an optional telephone relapse support group and over-the-counter nicotine gum or patches, if appropriate. To enroll, call 866-417-7848 or go to www.myCIGNA.com.

Flu Vaccine Clinics Are Available in South Carolina

A convenient, easy-to-use statewide flu vaccine clinic finder is offered on http://www.scdhec.gov/flu/clinics.asp, a Web site sponsored by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Make Holidays Happy, Healthy

If you would prefer to look more svelte than Santa after the holidays, now is the time to think about how to keep your weight under control.

The health plans offered through the Employee Insurance Program (EIP) have free or low-cost weight management programs. You can also find some great tips on the Prevention Partners Web site. For more information please refer to the following link: http://www.eip.sc.gov/prevention/

Employees who change their address need to reference MyCLE at the following link for instructions to update their contact information at Clemson University and appropriate benefit vendors: https://bb.clemson.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp

Supplemental Retirement

2010 Limits
The limits for the supplemental retirement plans are not changing for 2010. The limits are as follows:

403b and 401k $16,500
403b and 401k over age 50 catch-up $5,500
457 regular $16,500
457 over age 50 catch-up $5,500

For more information regarding 2010 retirement plan limits, please reference:
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=214321,00.html
http://media.clemson.edu/humanres/plans_options.pdf

Universal Notification of 401k, 403b and 457 plans

Eligibility: As a reminder, all Clemson University employees may participate in the supplemental retirement plans, except those in student employment positions.

Procedure: If you wish to enroll, change or cancel a contribution, please reference the company listings and plan options on the Clemson University website below to obtain specifics on the procedure and contact information:
http://media.clemson.edu/humanres/plans_options.pdf

Changes: Changes may be made throughout the year.

Amended 403(b) Plan Document

Clemson University has amended its Adoption Agreement for the 403(b) Plan Document adopted on December 15, 2008. The new Adoption Agreement for the 403(b) Plan Document is in effect as of December 7, 2009.

Amendments/Revisions:

-  Loans: Loans are now permitted under the plan
-  Financial Hardships: Financial Hardship distributions are now permitted under the plan.
-  Transfers from the Plan: The plan now allows transfers from the plan to another employer's 403(b) plan, or an individual Retirement Account (IRA) after separation of employment, if requested by the former participant.

To initiate any of these participants will need to contact their 403b company to start the process.

South Carolina Deferred Compensation

The South Carolina Deferred Compensation Commission has awarded the administration of the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program (401k and 457 Plans) to Great-West Retirement Services effective January 1, 2010.  Transition notices were mailed to all participants in November, but if you would like more information, please access the link below. http://www.retirement.sc.gov/news/SCTransition%20BulletinFINAL.pdf

Clemson University Supplemental Retirement Plans Company Listing

The Clemson University Supplemental Retirement Plans Company Listing has been updated to include 403(b) ASP, Inc. Please access the following link for contact information:
http://media.clemson.edu/humanres/plans_company_listings.pdf

For further information about supplemental retirement-
Contact Pablo Unda at punda@clemson.edu

Benefits Unit Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
8am - 12pm and 1pm - 4:30 pm
Closed 12pm-1pm - lunch hour

Wednesday - Not available
Insurance staff conducting new employee orientation.

Clemson University Office of Human Resources - Benefits
(864) 656-2713 Fax: (864) 656-4672
empins@clemson.edu
Office of Human Resources
Administrative Services Building Box 345337
108 Pearman Blvd. Clemson, SC 29634-5337