Performance Management Webcasts; Vendor Changes to PPO Plans
April 27, 2016
UC Merced’s Human Resources is sponsoring three informational webcasts on performance management for employees.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Brian Powell selected topics based on employee feedback received during his listening tour last fall.
The first webcast, held this week, offered advice on completing the Summary of Accomplishments form that is part of the performance evaluation process. Viewers who missed the webcast can view the recording by accessing the link here: Summary of Accomplishments. The online form is now open for employees to start completing.
The next webcasts are:
- May 3, 3:30-4:30 p.m., “Core Competencies and their Role in Performance Appraisals,” and
- May 18, 2:30-3:30 p.m. “Establishing Meaningful Goals.”
Links to view the webcasts will be provided prior to the events. Following these webcasts, the performance appraisal form will open online in Halogen on May 19. Supervisors can then begin working on this year’s performance appraisals for their direct reports.
Those unable to watch the webcasts live can view the recordings at their convenience. Human Resources personnel will also answer all submitted questions and post them to promote transparency.
Questions? Contact Human Resources.
UCOP Announces Vendor Changes to Medical PPO Plans
The Office of the President recently announced Anthem will replace Blue Shield as the claims administrator and network provider for the following University of California medical plans:
- UC Care
- Health Savings Plan (HSP)
- Core
- Blue Shield Medicare plans
Anthem will also administer behavioral health benefits for these plans, replacing Optum. Optum will continue to administer behavioral health benefits for Health Net Blue & Gold, Kaiser and Western Health Advantage plans. Prescription drug benefits for PPO plans will be administered through Optum Rx, a pharmacy expert specializing in the delivery, clinical management and affordability of prescription medications.
Changes will be effective Jan. 1, 2017.
With Blue Shield of California’s rate guarantees expiring, a UC work group of benefit professionals, faculty and staff evaluated other vendors and chose Anthem after a thorough review process.
Anthem is well positioned to support UC as a long-term partner through a constantly changing health care landscape.
“Health care is deeply personal, and I understand this news may trigger concerns regarding provider coverage,” UC Merced Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Brian Powell said. “But during my 20 years of HR and benefits management, I find Anthem Blue Cross to be highly reputable, expressly engaged, and extensively networked to deliver superior healthcare service providers to the members they serve. In my opinion, this is a positive development for our campus community.”
Powell added that the Office of the President has committed to an extended informational rollout plan for all UC employees. Details regarding these 2017 changes will be available during Open Enrollment this fall. Updates about 2017 provider networks and prescription costs will be provided as new details become available.
In the meantime, general information about the transition can be found in a list of frequently asked questions.
