Open Enrollment
The 2008 open enrollment (OE) period for Maryland State insurance benefits will last from Wednesday, April 23 to Wednesday, May 14. OE offers eligible faculty, staff and retirees (including eligible direct pay employees) the opportunity to evaluate and compare their current benefits coverage to the coverage and costs for the plan year beginning July 1, 2008. During OE, eligible employees also have the opportunity to make changes to their coverage, typically without any special enrollment restrictions. Here is what you need to know about this year?s OE:
? Benefits and rates for this OE will be effective July 1, 2008 ? June 30, 2009.
? This year?s OE is voluntary. You do not need to take action unless you would like to change your benefits, or you are a regular employee who wants to have a flexible spending account for the new plan year.
? The major change for the new plan year is that dependent children may be eligible for insurance coverage through the end of the month that they turn 25, regardless of their student status.
? Details on the open enrollment period, including rates and the new benefits booklet, can be found at {http://www.dbm.maryland.gov/portal/server.pt?space=CommunityPage&cached=true&parentname=MyPage&parentid=2&in_hi_userid=1332&control=SetCommunity&CommunityID=281&PageID=0}.
Distribution of Materials
OE materials for regular faculty and staff employees are now being distributed via campus mail. Any regular employee who has not received their OE packet by Friday, April 25 should contact either Dave Curtis or Gail Price in the OHR Benefits Unit to request one if they want to enroll or make any changes for the new plan year.
Direct pay employees and retirees who are currently enrolled in any of the MD State plans will receive their OE materials via U.S. Mail at their home address directly from the State Department of Budget and Management (EBD). Those who are not currently enrolled must request an OE packet from the OHR Benefits Unit; you will not automatically receive any OE materials. Any direct pay employees or retirees who have not received their OE materials from the State by Monday, April 28 should contact DBM at 410-767-4775.
Be sure to check Daily Digest for more information about open enrollment. Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis at x4-6018 and {dcurtis@towson.edu}, or Gail Price at x4-6017 and {gprice@towson.edu}.
