Health benefits enrollment, the budget, campus construction and other areas of interest topped Tuesday’s newly formatted forum with UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.
Dr. Gold was joined by Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., dean of the College of Allied Health Professions, in the first in a new series of “Campus Conversations,” which allow Dr. Gold to raise timely issues, as well as receive insights and perspectives from a wide variety of leaders on campus. More than 60 faculty and staff attended the event.
He opened first with a moment of silence for those affected by the tragedies of the past week, including the 11 killed at the synagogue in Pittsburgh.
Then, during the discussion, Dr. Meyer highlighted current initiatives in the College of Allied Health Professions, including the creation of a new genetic counseling program, proposed enrollment growth within the clinical perfusion and sonography programs and allied health’s holistic review admissions process. They also discussed creation of the new occupational therapy program, which will be the only public occupational therapy doctorate program in Nebraska.
The in-person and livestream audiences also were reminded of the NUFlex enrollment for 2019, which is open through Nov. 16 and allows benefits-eligible employees to make changes to their tobacco designation, enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts and complete the Health Risk Assessment.
Given the changes in the university health plan, Dr. Gold encouraged employees to let him know “if there are bumps in the road” that should be addressed.
One audience member asked about the new Qualified High Deductible Healthcare Plan (QHDHP) and whether it provides 100 percent coverage for preventive care.
The University Benefits Office confirms that QHDHP provides 100 percent coverage for preventive care for in-network providers. For out-of-network providers, preventive care visits are subject to deductibles and co-insurance. See the related document.