• EMPLOYEE ACTION REQUIRED:
  You must complete the certification of your tobacco use and working spouse (if applicable) each year during open enrollment. NOTE: If you take no action during Open Enrollment, you will default to the surcharge. If you take no action and are defaulted to the surcharges, USG will not refund any surcharge amounts assessed to the employee’s paycheck.
  
  
  • Tobacco and working spouse surcharges will continue at $150 per month. Certification of status is required each enrollment year, or the surcharge will apply. Certification must be done during Open Enrollment in OneUSG Connect – Benefits system. Information is available at OneUSG Connect – Surcharges.
  • Check your open enrollment confirmation statement to make sure you completed the certification. 
    
  • The Tobacco Cessation option will continue to be available during open enrollment for employees/dependents who are tobacco users to provide an opportunity to take a Tobacco Cessation program, complete the program and have the tobacco surcharge removed. Information about Tobacco Cessation options is available on the USG Well-being website under Tobacco and Smoke-Free.
    
  • The Working Spouse Surcharge will apply to employees who cover their working spouse under the USG plan when the spouse has an offer of coverage from their own employer.
    
  • You may change/update your surcharge status at any time during the year through OneUSG Connect – Benefits. The change will be effective on the first day of the following month.

• The well-being program will continue, and an incentive of up to $100 for employees and covered spouses will be available for completing designated health promotion activities through the healthcare provider (Anthem or Kaiser).
  • Carrier-based incentive rewards will remain, but incentives will be paid to each employee’s paycheck rather than being paid through gift cards.
    • Anthem Members and spouses can each earn up to $100
    • Kaiser Members and spouses can each earn $100
    • Program year is January 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025.
    • Earned 2025 incentives will show up in employee’s paycheck at end of year for both employee and spouse.
• A weight loss support program will be available through Weight Watchers for employees and spouses enrolled in the USG healthcare plans.
• For employees enrolled in the Consumer Choice HSA plan, the university’s matching contribution to the employee’s Health Savings Account will continue at $375 for employee-only coverage and at $750 for family coverage.
• Retiree 65+ contribution  to the HRA will remain at $2,640.

CHANGES TO THE 2025 USG HEALTHCARE PLANS 

• Increases in deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, co-insurance, and co-pays for all of the USG-offered plans.  
• Increases in monthly employee premiums between 6.4% to 10.0%, depending on the plan and coverage tier.
• Dental Plan premiums are increasing by 7.7%, and plan design will stay the same.
• New insurance cards will be issued for all Anthem and Kaiser health insurance plans.  New cards will be mailed out the last week of December. 

A summary of the approved plan design changes, including increases in deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and/or co-pays, as well as the plan premiums, will be available on the USG Benefits website.