Benefit-eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC will have the option to choose or decline health care coverage during the annual open enrollment Oct. 16-Nov. 2. (See this PDF for a list of benefit-eligible employees; opens in a new window.)
In addition to a consumer-driven health plan, a traditional health plan from Viva Health and a traditional plan from Blue Cross/Blue Shield are available for 2027. As always, you must participate in open enrollment if you want to secure or retain medical insurance through UAB.
Despite continued inflation and rising health care costs nationwide, UAB is happy to announce health insurance premiums will only see a modest increase in 2027. Co-pays for visits and medications will not increase. (Full details on rates for 2027 were shared in an article in the Sept. 25 edition of the eReporter; see that article here.)
What are traditional plan choices?
Traditional plans are characterized by lower out-of-pocket costs — copays and deductibles — for covered services when compared to Viva Choice, UAB’s consumer-driven health care plan, and do not include a higher annual deductible that must be met before insurance begins paying.
Viva UAB
Viva Health offers a traditional plan for employees: Viva UAB.
Viva UAB is the least expensive traditional plan premium for employees. The negotiated rates are for using providers within the UAB health care network, including UAB, UAB St. Vincent’s and UAB Medical West. The maximum out-of-pocket expenses for medical and pharmacy services is $5,000 for single coverage and $10,000 for family coverage.
Viva UAB provides coverage for one annual eye exam and a student and sabbatical rider for out-of-network services up to $1,500 per year.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Blue Cross/Blue Shield has an established nationwide preferred provider organization (PPO) network that offers more latitude in selecting physicians and facilities. The BCBS plan allows participants to see providers at UAB, UAB St. Vincent’s and UAB Medical West, along with other providers within the BCBS state and national network. The deductible, co-insurance and co-payment is lower for providers in the BCBS network compared to out-of-network.
This plan does require a higher co-payment for services compared to Viva UAB. The maximum out-of-pocket expenses for medical and pharmacy services is $7,500 for single coverage and $15,000 for family coverage.
How to learn more
Live virtual educational sessions explaining 2027 open enrollment information and benefits changes will be held from 1-2 p.m. Oct. 8 and 11 a.m.-noon Oct. 9. Register to attend here.
Meanwhile, contact your school/department HR consultant, the Human Resources Service Center at