The 2004 Open Enrollment (OE) period for all Maryland state insurance benefits is now underway and will continue through Wednesday, Dec. 22. OE offers all eligible faculty and staff, including eligible direct pay employees (contingent staff, part-time faculty and lecturers) and retirees the opportunity to examine and evaluate their current coverage and compare with the coverage and costs for 2005.
Reminder: Six-Month Coverage
Changes can be made during OE usually without any special enrollment restrictions (except for term life and Long Term Care insurance) and are usually effective on January 1, 2005. Remember that this fall?s OE will only cover a six-month period from January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2005. There will be another OE in spring 2005 for coverages from July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.
Distribution of Materials
OE materials are currently being distributed by campus mail to all regular faculty and staff members. Any regular employee who has not received their OE packet by Monday, Dec. 13 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 first six months of 2005.
Where to Find Information
All of the pertinent OE information, including rates, details of changes, especially concerning the new dental plan and dependent eligibility requirements, are available by clicking on the Open Enrollment State of Maryland link, located on Towson’s OHR home page: {http://wwwnew.towson.edu/adminfinance/hr/} under News and Announcements.
Special Note for Retirees and Direct Pay Employees
If you are currently enrolled in any of the MD State benefit plans, your OE packet is being mailed to you at your home address directly from the Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM). Those who are not currently enrolled must request an OE packet from the OHR Benefits Unit; you will not automatically receive any OE materials. Also, direct pay employees must have an active contract in order to be eligible for coverage in 2005.
OE House Calls
TU?s OHR Benefits Unit will make ?OE House Calls? for the benefit of those who may need further assistance with their OE decisions. Look for us at the following locations and feel free to stop in with your OE or any other benefit related questions:
* Thursday, 12/9, 10 a.m.-noon, Cook Library, room 401
* Thursday, 12/9, 1-3 p.m., Hawkins Hall, room 301C
* Monday, 12/13, 10 a.m.-noon, Towson Center, room 200
* Monday, 12/13, 1-4 p.m., Enrollment Services, room 306
* Tuesday, 12/14, 7:30-10:30 a.m., General Services, main conf. room
* Wednesday, 12/15, 10 a.m.-noon, Stephens Hall, room 316
* Wednesday, 12/15, 3-6 p.m., General Services, main conf. room
* Monday, 12/20, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Administration Bldg., room 120
* Tuesday, 12/21, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Administration Bldg., room 120
Additional information and reminders will be included in future Daily Digest updates.
Please contact Dave Curtis at x4-6018 or {dcurtis@towson.edu} or Gail Price at x4-6017 or {gprice@towson.edu} in the TU Benefits Unit with any OE questions or concerns.
