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The clock is ticking on open enrollment: It began at 8 a.m. Monday (Oct. 28) and continues until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26. That’s less than 30 days from now — and while that may seem like a long time, keep in mind the big changes in medical plan offerings for 2014.

The new menu comes after two years of deliberations by the universitywide Health Care Benefits Work Group, which recommended that UC seek new bids from health insurers and providers for its medical programs.

“The bid process led us to discontinue four plans that were unsustainable and add two new plans that meet the needs of our employees,” Dwaine B. Duckett, UC vice president of Human Resources, said in an Oct. 28 email to all employees. “It allowed the university to preserve many valuable coverage features while minimizing price increases for employees.

Duckett encouraged employees to thoroughly review their options. “In the current environment, it is important for you to think carefully and actively about your choices,” he said.

You can review your benefits and make changes on UC’s open enrollment website: . Select the “Open Enrollment 2014” icon. More information is available in this Dateline . You’re also invited to open enrollment presentations and help desk sessions (see the schedule , for both the Davis and Sacramento campuses).

Mail Services announces Holiday Food Drive

The folks who handle our campus mail are hoping to see canned goods and other foodstuffs mixed in with letters and interoffice envelopes in outgoing mail bins from Nov. 1 through 15, during Mail Services’ eighth annual Holiday Food Drive.

Davis campus donations go to the Food Bank of Yolo County, Sacramento campus donations to the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.

Last year’s collected netted 1,408 pounds on the Davis campus and 300 pounds in Sacramento. “We are looking to continue to grow the donations this year,” said Jen Carmichael, general manafger of Mail Services. “Our delivery drivers will be out there in departments encouraging donations in person.”

Carmichael provided the following suggestions for donations: canned, ready-to-eat meals; canned vegetables and tomato products, canned fruit (in juice); peanut butter (plastic container); iron-rich cereal (45 percent or more of the daily value); powdered milk; fruit juice (100 percent, in plastic containers 48 ounces or smaller); ramen; boxed macaroni and cheese; and powdered milk formula and Similac baby food.

Registration starts Nov. 1 for Mini Medical School

Registration begins this Friday (Nov. 1) for next year’s edition of �ٺ���Ƶ' popular .

The theme for 2014 is “On the Quest for the Fountain of Youth: Restoring Function to the Older Adult,” focusing on gerontology, ophthalmology, oncology, nephrology, orthopedics, cardiology, neurology and depression. The program is geared for seniors and foresighted middle-agers, but all ages are welcome: The common bond is a passion for understanding the science of aging.

The Department of Internal Medicine has presented Mini Medical School since 2002, addressing normal human aging and the avoidance of diseases associated with aging. Classes are taught by top academic physicians and scientists, and instruction is at the level of a first- or second-year medical student.

The lecture series is scheduled on four successive Saturdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22, from 9 to 11 a.m. in the on the Davis campus.

The program is still free, though the health system suggests a $100 per person donation. Enrollment is limited to the first 500 people who sign up. Registration can be accomplished ; if hyou have questions about the process, contact Kyle Summers at (916) 734-4961 or kyle.summers@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.