open2001 memo

DATE: November 1, 2001

TO: Airborne Full-time & Part-time Employees

FROM: Jeff Walling, Benefits

SUBJECT: Open Enrollment

November is Open Enrollment month for health insurance. If you wish to make changes to your health insurance coverage, you should complete the attached Group Insurance Enrollment/Change Form and return it to Human Resources no later than November 26, 2001. All changes will be effective January 1, 2002.

Employees may elect from two bundled options:

Option 1	Option 2
Enhanced PPO Plan	Basic PPO Plan
Enhanced Dental Plan (including Orthodontia)	Traditional Dental Plan (no Orthodontia)
Cole Managed Vision Benefits	Cole Managed Vision Benefits

Highlights of Changes for 2002

Highlights of changes in the 2002 benefits program include:

		Under the Enhanced PPO plan, co-payments for office visits, urgent care visits and prescription drugs are being increased. A new emergency room co-payment has been introduced.
		Employee contributions for the Enhanced PPO are increasing.
		New Basic PPO plan option is being introduced.
		The Traditional Plan will not be offered in 2002. Employees currently in the Traditional Plan MUST make a new election for 2002.

Please review the enclosed materials for details about the changes.

No New 2002 Benefits Handbook

There will not be a new 2002 Benefits Handbook distributed this year. Instead a "2002 Summary of Benefit Plan Changes" has been published in the attachments and is an addendum to the 2001 Benefit Handbook. Carefully review the 2001 Benefits Handbook and the 2002 Summary of Benefit Plan Changes before making your benefit election. (If you need a replacement 2001 Benefits Handbook, please contact the Benefits Department.)

United Health Care PPO Directories

You may obtain updated United Health Care PPO directories at no cost to yourself or Airborne by calling United Health Care customer service at 1-888-350-5607. This information is also available on-line at www.myuhc.com or at United Health Care’s regular website at www.provider.uhc.com. The first web site will take you directly to the correct provider listing after you have registered and received your password. If you use the second web site be sure to select "Options PPO" under the product selection.

By providing PPO directories only upon request instead of mailing every employee an updated directory, the Company will save over $32,000 in distribution and mailing costs. Remember it is still your responsibility to make sure that the provider you are using is participating in the network in order to receive the higher benefit level. If you are using a provider for the first time or if you are unsure if the provider is in the network, be sure to ask United Health Care.

Employee Monthly Contributions (effective January 1, 2002)

	Enhanced PPO Plan	Basic PPO Plan
Employee only	$ 25	$ 5
Employee & Child(ren)	$ 75	$ 30
Employee & Spouse	$ 80	$ 35
Employee, Spouse & Child(ren)	$ 90	$ 40

Other Open Enrollment Options

During open enrollment you can also make election changes to these benefits:

		Short-term disability (full-time employees only)
		Voluntary Accident Insurance
		Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account for childcare and elder care

Don’t Miss the Deadline!

You’ll need to make some important decisions about your 2002 benefits by November 26, 2001. If you are currently enrolled in the Enhanced PPO, you will automatically receive your current election for yourself (and any family members currently covered under your 2001 plan) unless you return the completed enrollment form by the deadline. If you are enrolled in the Traditional Plan you MUST make a new election for next year. You cannot make changes mid-year except for reasons noted on page 5 in the Benefits Handbook under Family/Status Changes.

More Information

More information is available in your Benefits Handbook or at the ABX benefits web site at www.abxair.com/benefits. You can also call or visit the ABX benefits department or send e-mail questions to abx.benefits@airborne.com.