2005 Open Enrollment
March 11, 2005 - April 8, 2005

Welcome to the May 2005 Open Enrollment Web site

Letter from Mayor Bill White

There are important changes to the benefits plans that are described in this material. Changes for this year's plan include: $0 copayment for a well-woman/well-man exam in both the HMO and PPO plans, changes to the specialist copayment in the HMO and PPO, two kinds of prescriptions will not be covered on May 1, 2005 and changes to contributions in the HMO, PPO and DHMO.

New Options for Retirees
We are introducing two new cost-saving Medicare Advantage Plans for Medicare-covered retirees. Click here for more details.

We also have included some helpful information about prescription drugs in the “healthy toolboxes” that appear on the site. Take advantage of the tips you find.

This information is designed to help you make informed decisions about the benefits that are so important to you, for the period May 1, 2005 through April 2006. A printed copy of this same information will be available from your department human resources liaison next week.

Every effort has been made to include all the facts you will need to make an educated decision about your benefits. Sample forms are also included here.

If you intend to enroll or change your benefits, you can get the forms you will need from your department human resources liaison.

Look for the schedule of department meetings to learn more about your benefits in person.

If you are in the HMO, a dental plan or the supplemental insurance plans and do not want to make any changes or enroll in any new plans, don’t do anything. Your benefits will remain in effect until April 30, 2006.

	Enrollment Options for Employees/Retirees If you are currently enrolled in: You may enroll in one of these plans on May 1, 2005 HMO PPO OOA HMO yes yes no POS yes yes no OOA yes* yes* yes** *If you live in the plan's service area **Only available to a few employees/retirees. You must live outside the PPO/HMO service area to enroll. See a list of zip codes on the enrollment Web site.

	Enrollment Options for Medicare-covered Retirees What you can do: Elect a new plan. Click here for details. Your dependent can elect a new plan. You elect a new plan and your dependent can stay in the HMO or PPO plan. If you don't wan't to make any changes, don't do anything. Your coverage will remain in effect until you make a change. If you are currently enrolled in: You may enroll in one of these plans on May 1, 2005 HMO PPO Texan-Plus Texas Health Spring HMO yes yes yes* yes* PPO yes yes yes* yes* OOA no no no no .* If you meet the criteria. Click here to see if you are eligible.

The city of Houston reserves the right to change, modify, increase or terminate any benefits.