Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The union has researched premium changes to 2021 benefits. Article 16 B 4 F states that the “core and select medical plans cannot exceed 9.25 percent.” Article 16 B 5 defines the select regional plans. The company is under the 9.25 percentage. Be aware that the Aetna select plans are changing and co-pays are going up – $35.00 for your primary care physician and $70.00 for specialists. Co-insurance is changing from 100 percent to 80-20 percent and out of pocket maximums are all changing. Beware of changes to medications you are taking, as changes to this tier structure could happen.  

The Annual Enrollment (AE) for 2021 benefits is open for active employees from October 19 – 30; for retirees, COBRA, VSP and furloughed employees it is open from November 2-13. Enrolling in your 2021 benefits can be now done online – log on to YBR by navigating through Flying Together > Employee Services > Health & Insurance (YBR). You can also call the Benefits Service Center at 1 (800) 651-1007 from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. Central Time, Monday – Friday. There is also a CHAT feature in YBR to assist with questions. You can also contact Accolade Health Assistant at 1(844) 252-6830 or united.myaccolade.com

Many of your 2020 elections will carry over for 2021, however, you’ll need to make elections during AE if you want to:

• change plans and/or levels of coverage, 

• add or remove dependents from your coverage,

•  contribute to the healthcare and/or dependent care FSAs next year, or

• enroll in one of the new medical plans.

You can change your HSA contributions at any time – the more money you put away tax‑free, the more you’ll have to spend on future eligible medical expenses, even in retirement. Take time to review your benefit elections to make sure they will meet your needs for the coming year.

United Airlines will be launching a new PPO plan next year. Similar in design to the Healthy Rewards PPO, the United Airlines PPO Plan uses the same wide PPO network, lower deductible, and coinsurance percentages. 

The new United Airlines PPO plan does not have wellness incentives tied to it, meaning you do not get money from United Airlines for completing an annual physical. Instead, you have a lower deductible to hit before the plan begins paying coinsurance. 

With the introduction of the new United Airlines PPO Plan, the company will be eliminating the Healthy Rewards PPO plan at the end of 2020 for all employees. Below are some of the details of the new United Airlines PPO Plan.

If you’re enrolled in the Healthy Rewards PPO plan today, you will be automatically enrolled in the new United Airlines PPO plan for coverage starting January 1, 2021. If you want to switch plans for 2021, be sure to make your new election during AE. If you have funds remaining in your HRA you can continue to use them for 5 years (as long as you remain enrolled in United Airlines’ medical coverage). 

You can now use your Healthy Rewards HRA dollars for even more eligible expenses, including dental and vision. This means any money remaining in your HRA can be spent on eligible medical, prescription, dental AND vision expenses. If you enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) over the next five years, you can use your HRA funds after you’ve exhausted your FSA funds. Do not confuse the HRA Healthy Rewards Account with your HRA VEBA Health Retirement Account.

Stay Safe,

                        Ken Meidinger

                        Airline Division International Representative

                        UAL Benefits Coordinator