ISU merit staff members have a little more time to consider what they want in their health care coverage.

Merit employees will have the opportunity to change their health insurance benefits during the “open change” period that began Oct. 20 and lasts until Nov. 20.

ISU merit employees consist of clerical, technical, security and blue collar workers. Employees may choose between three benefits packages. These include the 3+ program, the Iowa Select program and a choice of HMO-style providers depending on the county.

Andy Bock, president of local charter 96 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said the plans have several different benefits.

Bock, library assistant in Parks Library, said the 3+ program is an indemnity plan in which the university pays 80 percent of insurance costs while the employee makes up the remaining 20 percent.

The Iowa Select plan provides a little more help for the university, with Iowa State paying 90 percent of the insurance coverage while the holder pays 10 percent, Bock said. While this costs less, he said it also limits the kind of medical services individual holders can access since it allows for only pre-certified providers.

Bock said the last option, which involves more HMO-style coverage, pays for the full insurance cost while the holder pays for a minimal office visit fee. This program also allows for a variety of providers since it depends on the county the individual resides. “This is very important,” he said. “We were willing to give up salary increase for more insurance benefits.”

Bock said the plan covers not only the 1,900 ISU staff, but the total 22,000 merit employees in the state of Iowa.

Kevin Stow, benefits specialist for the ISU Human Resources Department, said the extended time period will allow more room for change in the insurance plans. “The purpose of [it] is for collective bargaining between the Iowa Department of Personnel and AFSCME,” he said.

Merit employees with questions about the health plans will have an opportunity to get answers during an ICN session from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today in Room 1 of Lagomarcino Hall.