Health Care
As you consider the medical and dental plan options, think about these things:
- Are you getting health benefits through your spouse's/partner's plan or another plan?
- What are your annual out-of-pocket expenses under each plan available to you? (i.e. co-payments, coinsurance, or items not covered by the plan)
- Do you have a preference for a specific doctor or dentist?
- Does your doctor or dentist participate in one of the networks?
- What are your anticipated health care needs in the upcoming year?
First, choose the coverage level appropriate for you:
- Employee only
- Employee + Spouse/Partner (You will be required to submit a Domestic Partner Affidavit.
- Employee + Child/ren
- Family
Then, choose your plan.
Medical
With MICA's shared benefits plan, you can select from two different medical plan choices provided by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield:
- Basic Choice Advantage Provider Organization
- Premium Choice Advantage Organization
The medical plans are outlined below. Both plans include the same prescription drug benefit.
Prescription Plan
The prescription drug benefit is the same under both the Basic and Premium plans. The prescription drug plan features are as follows:
- Low co-pays for prescription drugs.
- Receive up to a 90 day supply of a maintenance drug for 2 co-pays.
- Mail-order prescriptions available.
Note: Some prescription drugs require prior authorization from CareFirst by your physician.
For further information contact:
CareFirst Pharmacy Services (PRESCRIPTION PLAN)
Phone: 800-241-3371
Basic Choice Advantage Provider Organization (PPO) Medical Plan Features
The Basic PPO plan provides you and your dependents with an extensive directory of PPO providers who have contracted with CareFirst. For minimal co-pay, CareFirst in-network providers will provide a wide range of services such as well-child care, routine gynecological visits, office visits, and child immunizations. You can select a physician at the time of service from the directory of PPO providers. No referral is necessary- you can seek care through a specialist without a referral from a PCP. You may select in or out-of-network services at any time, but you will always receive a higher level of benefits when you visit a PPO provider. As a CareFirst Basic PPO member, you will have access to the BlueCard PPO program which allows you to receive the same type of health care benefits as your local (Maryland) plan while living or traveling outside of the area.
Premium Choice Advantage Provider Organization (PPO) Medical Plan Features
The PPO Plan allows you and your dependents the freedom of a large network of participating physicians. If you select the PPO plan, you will receive the highest level of benefits. You can select a physician at time of service from the directory of participating physicians. No referral is necessary- you can seek care through a specialist without a referral from a PCP. You may select in or out-of-network services at any time. As a CareFirst PPO member, you will have access to the BlueCard PPO program which allows you to receive the same type of health care benefits of your local (Maryland) plan while living or traveling outside of the area.
For further information, or to locate participating physicians contact:
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (MEDICAL)
Phone: 800-626-0173
Website: http://www.carefirst.com
Note: Mental health services under both plans require prior authorization from Magellan Health Services, and you call them directly.
CareFirst/Magellan Health Services (MENTAL HEALTH)
Phone: 800-245-7013
Dental
With MICA's shared benefits plan you can select from two different dental plan choices both provided by United Concordia; DHMO or PPO. MICA pays 100% of the cost of the DHMO plan for you, the employee.
The United Concordia Dental Plans are outlined below:
- DHMO Dental Plan - Concordia Plus Plan
- PPO Dental Plan - Concordia Preferred Plan (Advantage network)
DHMO Dental Plan Features
The DHMO dental plan provides you with a "schedule of benefits." The schedule lists the American Dental Association (ADA), Codes, and a fee associated with each procedure. Under the DHMO dental plan, you know exactly what the charge will be for any given procedure. Under the DHMO you are required to select a Primary Dentist for your dental needs from the Concordia Plus Provider Directory. Under the DMO plan, you do NOT have out-of-network benefits.
PPO Dental Plan Features
The PPO dental plan allows you and your dependents the freedom of a larger network of participating dentists. Under the PPO dental plan, you can select a dentist at the time of service. The PPO dental plan allows the freedom of using in and out-of-network benefits. Under the PPO dental plan, there are deductibles and coinsurance requirements, and a calendar year maximum.
For further information or to locate participating dentists contact:
United Concordia
Phone (DHMO): 866-357-3304
Phone (PPO): 800-332-0366
Website: http://www.unitedconcordia.com
Retirement
MICA's retirement annuity plan (403b) is referred to as a "Defined Contribution Plan" which gives all full-time employees the opportunity to participate in the plan when you are benefit eligible, (new employees first of the month following or coinciding with your hire date). You participate by making contributions into the plan, receiving matching dollars each pay cycle. Once you are a participant in the plan you can make contribution changes at any time during the year. You are immediately vested into the retirement plan, which means you are eligible for 100% of the College's contributions. For each 1% contribution made by you the employee, MICA will contribute 1 ½%, up to 9%. You may choose to make traditional 403(b) pre-tax contributions and/or Roth 403(b) post-tax contributions. Each year the Federal Regulations change regarding the annual maximum contribution an individual can contribute. If you are over the age of 50, you are allowed to contribute an additional amount each year. The minimum contribution is 1% of your income to participate in the retirement plan. The maximum match by the College is 9%.
For further information contact:
TIAA-CREF:
Phone: 800-842-2888
Website: http://www.tiaa-cref.org
Part-time employees are eligible to participate in the plan and are eligible for matching funds from the College if they work at least 20 hours a week.
Federal Guidelines limit the annual tax-deferred contributions you make to a retirement plan.