Any active employee of the LSU System is eligible for health insurance provided the following:
- Employed at 75% of full-time effort or pay period (avg. of 30 hours/week) or greater
- Appointed for a duration of at least one semester or 120 days or greater
If you enroll within your first thirty (30) days of full-time employment, your coverage will be effective on the first of the month following your first full calendar month of employment.
- For example: Date of Hire = August 20th, Effective Date = October 1st.
Consider your benefit needs carefully and make the appropriate selection. You will not have an opportunity to add or drop dependents until the next annual enrollment period, unless you experience a Qualifying Event during the plan year.
As employees of the State of Louisiana, we have many options for health coverage. This info might help a bit:
The state offers plans through the main Office of Group Benefits, or OGB. The plan design is theirs while they contract out the billing administrator and the Network Providers. Those plans are referred to as "OGB Plans." Under the Office of Group Benefits' umbrella are a few other options, but not designed or contracted out by OGB. They are: Vantage Health and LSU First. All plans under the OGB umbrella have the same eligibility requirements. LSU First is a self-insured plan designed by the LSU System for its employees. As state employees and employees of the LSU System, we have all of the OGB options as well as the LSU First option.
Summary of Benefits and Coverage is a document, in a standardized format, which summarizes important information about each plan. The SBC for each plan offered by OGB is available on the web at: info.groupbenefits.org/health-plans. (A paper copy is also available, free of charge, by request: BCBS 1800.392.4089 and Vantage 1.888.823.1910) The SBC for each LSU First option is on their site, Option 1 and Option 2.
Health Plans
Vesting Schedule
Forms
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Premiums for Active Employees - 2021
Available Health Plans
1. Pelican HRA 1000 (OGB) - The plan includes $1,000 in employer contributions for employee-only plans and $2,000 for family plans in a health reimbursement account that can be used to offset deductible and other out-of-pocket health care costs throughout the year. Prescription drugs are not reimbursable by the HRA. Any unused funds rollover up to the in-network out-of-pocket maximum, allowing members to build up balances that cover eligible medical expenses when they happen. This plan uses Blue Cross Blue Shield's nationwide network.
Click >>>HERE<<< for a synopsis.
Additional Plan Information:
http://www.bcbsla.com/ogb, 1.800.392.4089, Provider Directory, Summary of Benefits, Schedule of Benefits, HRA Info, HRA Schedule of Benefits, Pharmacy Benefit
2. Pelican HSA 775 (OGB)- Lowest premiums offered in addition to a Health Savings Account funded by both employers and employees. Employers contribute $200 to the Pelican HSA, then match any employee contributions up to $575. Employees can contribute additional funds on a pre-tax basis, up to $3,350, to cover out-of-pocket medical and pharmacy costs. This plan uses Blue Cross Blue Shield's nationwide network.
Click >>>HERE<<< for a synopsis.
Additional Plan Information:
http://www.bcbsla.com/ogb, 1.800.392.4089, Provider Directory, Summary of Benefits, Schedule of Benefits, Prescription Drug Formulary, Pharmacy Benefit Page, HSA Info
3. Magnolia Open Access Plan (OGB) - This plan uses Blue Cross Blue Shield's nationwide network. Once a deductible is met ($900 for Employee only, $1,800 for Employee + 1 (child or spouse) and $2,700 for Employee + Children and Family, the member will be responsible for 10% of the bill for in-network care. Out-of-network care is available. The plan will cover 70% of the in-network rate. Balance billing will apply.
Click >>>HERE<<< for a synopsis.
Additional Plan Information:
http://www.bcbsla.com/ogb, 1.800.392.4089, Provider Directory, Summary of Benefits, Schedule of Benefits, Pharmacy Benefit,
4. Magnolia Local Plus Plan (OGB) - This plan uses Blue Cross Blue Shield's nationwide network. Primary care doctor cop-pays are $25. Specialists have a $50 co-pay. Wellness visits will not have a charge. Services that do not have a co-pay will be subject to the deductible. In-network deductible for Employee only coverage is $400. $800 for Employee + 1 (child or spouse), and $1,200 for Employee + Children and Family coverage. Out-of-network care is available ONLY For a life or limb-threatening emergency. In such an emergency, the plan will cover 70% of the in-network rate. Balance billing will apply.
Click >>>HERE<<< for a synopsis.
Prescription Drug Formulary (MedImpact) >>>HERE<<< All Pharmacy Benefit Info
Additional Plan Information:
http://www.bcbsla.com/ogb, 1.800.392.4089, Provider Directory, Summary of Benefits, Schedule of Benefits
5. Magnolia Local (OGB) - This plan is for people that live in specific coverage areas. If you life outside of the coverage area (even if your healthcare providers are in the coverage area), you will not be eligible to participate in this plan. There are two networks: Community Blue (for members that live in East & West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Caddo and Bossier Parishes) and BlueConnect (for members that live in Orleans and Jefferson parishes). $25 primary care co-pays and $50 specialist visit co-pays. Wellness visits will not have a charge. Services that do not have a co-pay will be subject to the deductible. In-network deductible for Employee only coverage is $500. $1,000 for Employee + 1 (spouse or child) and $1,500 for Employee + Children and Family coverage. Out-of-network care is available ONLY for a life or limb-threatening emergency. In such an emergency, the plan will cover 70% of the in-network rate. Balance billing will apply.
Click >>>HERE<<< for a synopsis
Prescription Drug Formulary (MedImpact) >>>HERE<<<, All Pharmacy Benefit Info
Additional Plan information:
http://www.bcbsla.com/ogb, 1.800.392.4089, Provider Directory - (1) Community Blue(Baton Rouge & Shreveport areas), (2) Blue Connect (New Orleans); Schedule of Benefits, Summary of Benefits
6. Vantage Medical Home HMO (Vantage) - Vantage network. This plan creates partnerships between the individual patient and their physician and when appropriate, the patient's family.
Click >>>HERE<<< for a synopsis.
Additional Plan Information:
http://employees.vhp-stategroup.com, 1.888.823.1910; Plan Provider Directory
7. LSU First, Option 1 (LSU System) - Higher premium than LSU First, Option 2, with a smaller deductible.
A Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) is funded by LSU and pays 100% of eligible medical and pharmacy expenses until exhausted. (EE - $1,000; EE + Spouse or children - $1,500: EE + Family - $2,000) HRA dollars are not used for wellness visits, which are covered by the plan at 100%. After the HRA is exhausted, you pay for medical and pharmacy expenses until you have met a deductible;(EE - $500; EE + Spouse or Children - $750; EE + Family - $1,000) Services received from First Choice Providers and Generic Drug prescriptions are covered at 100% (no out-of-pocket cost). Once HRA exhausted and deductible met, plan pays 90% of all eligible in-network charges and 60% of out-of-network charges. Balanced billing applies. Prescription drug co-pay applies after deductible is met, unless it is generic.
Search for Providers >>>HERE<<< (Keep the search as broad as possible)
Plan website: http://www.lsu.edu/lsufirst
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Vesting Schedule - When an employee retires, the health insurance premium portion paid by the state is determined by the number of years the employee has participated in any of the health plans under the Office of Group Benefits umbrella. This is called vesting and the vesting schedule is as follows:
Years of Participation |
Percentage of State Subsidy |
10 years or fewer |
19% |
More than 10 years; fewer than 15 years |
38% |
More than 15 years; fewer than 20 years |
56% |
20 years or more |
75% |
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Forms