10/20/2023: The Accident Plan premium for employee + child and family plans decreased by $.01. This change was required because of a system limitation. (There is no change for the employee or employee + spouse plans.)
This news for state employers provides information on 2024 health insurance rates, as well as updates for the 2024 plan year. The 2024 health benefits open enrollment period is September 25 - October 20, 2023.
Rates
State rates will be approved at the Group Insurance Board (Board) meeting on August 16. The Division of Personnel Management will then determine the state employee contribution rates. Once available, they will be posted on the ETF website and shared via ETF E-mail Updates.
Health Plan Changes
Benefit Changes
The annual medical deductible for the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and Access HDHP have increased to comply with federal requirements:
- Individual: increased to $1,600
- Family: increased to $3,200
The Group Insurance Board approved the following medical benefit changes effective January 1, 2024:
- Expanded coverage for advance care planning and palliative care services.
- Removed the expectation that physical, speech, and occupational therapies result in significant improvements for patients within two months of the beginning of treatment.
- Removed the requirement of a 30-day rental of infusion pumps for insulin, pain relievers, and other drugs prior to the purchase of equipment.
- Removed the requirement that members who change health plans during an inpatient stay need to move to a new in-network facility due to the change in the plan provider.
New Health Plan
GHC of South Central Wisconsin (GHC-SCW) will split into two separate networks starting January 1, 2024: GHC-SCW Dane Choice and GHC-SCW Neighbors. Both networks will include UW and Meriter hospitals and specialists.
Members currently enrolled in GHC-SCW will automatically be enrolled in GHC-SCW Dane Choice unless they elect to enroll in GHC-SCW Neighbors during open enrollment. If they have a primary care provider or primary care clinic outside of Dane County, they will need to enroll in GHC-SCW Neighbors.
GHC-SCW Dane Choice will include current in-network providers in Dane County.
GHC-SCW Neighbors will include current in-network providers in:
- Columbia County
- Grant County
- Iowa County
- Sauk County
- Jefferson County
- Juneau County
- Lafayette County
Service Area Change
The Board may approve new health plan service area(s) for the 2024 plan year at the August 16 meeting. If any additional health plan service area(s) are approved, additional details will be provided following the Board meeting.
State Maintenance Plan (SMP)
ETF expects that the SMP will continue to be offered in Florence County.
Benefits Mentor
Active state employees and non-Medicare retirees will again have access to Benefits Mentor, the interactive benefits counselor. Powered by ETF’s secure data warehouse, Benefits Mentor will use claims information as a basis for personalized plan design recommendations. Benefits Mentor also considers the member's medical needs, and what is most important to the member when choosing a health plan design.
State Open Enrollment Kickoff Meeting Events
Reminder! The state employer open enrollment kickoff meeting for plan year 2024 will be held virtually. The meeting will follow a similar agenda as in previous years, providing an update on important health news and a preview of 2024 health benefits materials.
The state employer kickoff is September 14, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to noon via GoToWebinar. See the previous employer news for more state employer information.
Can’t attend the kickoff event at its scheduled time? Recordings of virtual kickoff meetings will be posted to the ETF website for viewing anytime.
Virtual Open Enrollment Benefit Fair Activities
ETF will host a series of online events for employers and members to provide information for the 2024 plan year. Participating vendors include health plans and supplemental vendors, such as Delta Dental, Optum, and WebMD. ETF staff will also participate. Event details and registration information will be posted to the ETF website in the near future.
2024 Benefit Vendor Virtual Forums
The 2024 Virtual Vendor Benefit Forums will be scheduled during the first three weeks of the open enrollment period. These virtual sessions are intended for employers and members to hear from the health plans and benefits vendors and have their questions answered. Additional event details and registration information will be posted to the ETF website in the near future.
Additional member education opportunities and resources will be available during the open enrollment period. Visit the Member Education section of the ETF website to learn more.
Vision Plan
DeltaVision (offered through Delta Dental of Wisconsin) in partnership with EyeMed Vision Care will continue to offer the supplemental vision plan for 2024 at the same rates offered in 2023.
Active Employee and COBRA Continuant Monthly DeltaVision 2024 Rates
| Individual only | Individual plus spouse | Individual plus child(ren) | Individual and family |
| $5.72 | $11.42 | $12.88 | $20.58 |
Retiree Monthly DeltaVision 2024 Rates
| Retiree only | Retiree plus spouse | Retiree plus child(ren) | Retiree and family |
| $5.72 | $11.42 | $11.42 | $13.41 |
Dental Plans
Delta Dental of Wisconsin will continue to provide dental plans in 2024. In addition to the Uniform Dental Benefit, which is available to those enrolled in health insurance under the Group Health Insurance Program, Delta Dental will again be providing three supplemental dental plans in 2024. Returning for 2024 are the Preventive Plan, Select Plan, and Select Plus Plan.
Effective January 1, 2024, supplemental dental premiums will be changing. The Preventive Plan will experience a 4% increase, and the Select Plus Plan will experience a 3% increase. The Select Plan will experience a 7% decrease in premiums. See the tables below for the 2024 premiums.
Active Employee and COBRA Continuant Monthly Delta Dental 2024 Rates
| Individual only | Individual plus spouse | Individual plus child(ren) | Individual and family | |
| Delta Dental PPO® - Select Plan | $9.08 | $18.16 | $12.24 | $21.76 |
| Delta Dental PPO® Plus Premier - Select Plus Plan | $21.60 | $43.22 | $40.12 | $66.20 |
| Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier – Preventive Plan | $36.10 | not offered | not offered | $90.28 |
Retiree Monthly Delta Dental 2024 Rates
| Retiree only | Retiree plus spouse | Retiree plus child(ren) | Retiree and family | |
| Delta Dental PPO® - Select Plan | $15.08 | $30.66 | $20.70 | $36.80 |
| Delta Dental PPO® Plus Premier - Select Plus Plan | $32.06 | $64.10 | $59.30 | $97.78 |
| Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier – Preventive Plan | $36.10 | not offered | not offered |
$90.28 |
Securian Accident Plan
Beginning January 1, 2024, premiums for the Accident Plan will decrease pending Board approval at the August Group Insurance Board meeting.
The Accident Plan gives active employees cash to help cover out-of-pocket expenses regardless of health insurance coverage. The plan is portable until age 70 as long as the member had coverage as an active employee. Coverage includes:
- Concussions
- X-rays
- Dislocations
- Hospitalization
- Lacerations
- Surgeries
- Fractures
- Accidental death & dismemberment (up to $100,000)
- And many other medical and support benefits, including identity theft protection and travel assistance
Securian Accident Plan Monthly 2024 Rates
| Individual only | Individual plus spouse | Individual plus child(ren) | Individual and family |
| $3.72 | $5.32 | $7.16 | $10.46 |
More to Come
See the Health Benefits Open Enrollment 2024 Employer Information Timeline to stay apprised of when and what information will be available before open enrollment.
Stay tuned for future employer news for important updates from ETF and major Board updates.