Open Enrollment Update #5: Last 2 Days to Make Changes and Flexible Spending Accounts
OE offers eligible faculty, staff and retirees (including eligible direct- pay employees, contingent staff, lecturers and part-time faculty) the opportunity to evaluate and compare their current benefits coverage to the coverage and costs for the new short plan year July 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013. Changes can usually be made during OE without any special enrollment restrictions.
This spring’s OE is voluntary; therefore individuals who have no changes or corrections to their plans do not need to take any action. However, regular employees who would like to have flexible spending accounts (FSA) during the new short plan year must re-enroll during OE. Remember that OE does not affect or involve either of the USM benefit plans (Unum Group Life and Long Term Disability insurance).
Making Changes
Active regular faculty and staff members and retirees who are currently enrolled in state benefits will have to use the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to make any changes during OE. The IVR phone lines are in operation 24 hours a day/seven days a week during OE but will close at 11:59 p.m. on April 30. The IVR voice numbers are 410-669-3893 or 1-888-578-6434; individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability should use Relay or 711. In order to access IVR, you will be asked to input your Social Security number and special PIN which is the 4 digit number of the month and day of your birth (e.g. February 4 would be 0204). When calling the IVR, be patient and listen carefully and completely to all the prompts to ensure that the changes you want to make are accepted by the system. Pay particular attention if you are adding any dependents since that also requires accessing the Dependent record portion of the IVR system to assure that they are listed correctly for each plan you expect them to be enrolled in. All regular employees should first attempt to use the IVR; if they are unable to access the system, they will have to complete and hand deliver an active OE worksheet to TU Human Resources before 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 in order to enroll or make any changes during OE.
Direct -pay employees are not able to use the IVR and will have to complete and hand- deliver their OE worksheet, along with all other required dependent documentation, to TU Human Resources before 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 in order to enroll or make any changes during OE.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Although this OE is voluntary all active, regular faculty and staff employees who want to have flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for health care or dependent day care for the short plan year July 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013 must re-enroll in those plans before the OE deadline. To figure the amount to be deducted each pay period, regular faculty and staff employees should divide the total amount desired by 12 and input that number when using the IVR. Remember that for the new short plan year beginning July 1, 2013, the plan year maximum for the Healthcare FSA will be $1,250 and $2,500 for Dependent Day Care FSA.
Details for this OE period, including the new benefits booklet showing the changes to the medical and life insurance plans, along with the new premium rates, are posted on the Open Enrollment link on the state’s website, accessible at http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Pages/HBHome.aspx .
T3 is utilized as the primary means to share additional information about Open Enrollment so be sure to check it often for updates and reminders!
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x4-6018, email: dcurtis@towson.edu or Gail Price, x4-6017 email: gprice@towson.edu.
Open Enrollment Spring 2013: Dates and Benefits Festival/Health Fair
The 2013 Open Enrollment (OE) period for all Maryland state insurance benefits will take place from Tuesday, April 16 to Tuesday, April 30. The State of Maryland is converting its plan year to a calendar year basis beginning January 2014, and this spring’s OE will only cover the period July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. The State plans to offer another OE this fall for the new 2014 plan year.
OE offers eligible faculty, staff and retirees (including eligible direct- pay employees: contingent staff, lecturers and part-time faculty) the opportunity to evaluate and compare their current benefits coverage to the coverage and costs for the plan period July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. Changes can usually be made during OE without any special enrollment restrictions.
This year’s OE will be voluntary; therefore, individuals who have no changes or corrections to their plans do not need to take any action. However, regular employees who would like to have flexible spending accounts (FSA) between July 1 and December 31, 2013 must re-enroll during this upcoming OE. Remember that OE does not affect or involve either of the USM benefit plans (Unum Group Life and Long Term Disability insurance).
For more details and direct updates from the State of Maryland go to www.dbm.maryland.gov/benefits. A link to that site is also on the TU OHR home page as well.
Benefits Festival and Health Fair
Faculty and staff employees and retirees should plan on attending the Benefits Festival and Health Fair being held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 19 in the University Union Chesapeake rooms. All of the Maryland state benefits providers will be available at the festival so take advantage of this opportunity to meet with them and find out how the changes in coverage and medical plan design will affect you and/or your family for the remainder of 2013. Special flyers with more details about this exciting and important event will soon be distributed to faculty and staff employees via campus mail.
T3 is utilized as the primary means to share additional information about OE to faculty and staff members, so be sure to check it often for updates and reminders!
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x4-6018, or Gail Price, x4-6017.
Open Enrollment Update #4: How the Short Plan Year May Affect You
OE offers eligible faculty, staff and retirees (including eligible direct- pay employees, contingent staff, lecturers and part-time faculty) the opportunity to evaluate and compare their current benefits coverage to the coverage and costs for the new short plan year July 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013. Changes can usually be made during OE without any special enrollment restrictions.
This spring’s OE is voluntary; therefore individuals who have no changes or corrections to their plans do not need to take any action. However, regular employees who would like to have flexible spending accounts (FSA) during the new short plan year must re-enroll during OE. Remember that OE does not affect or involve either of the USM benefit plans (Unum Group Life and Long Term Disability insurance).
How Will the Short Plan Year Affect You?
During this short plan year, there will be several areas that may affect employees and retirees enrolled in medical, prescription drug and or dental plans. Among those are:
- Deductibles and out of pocket maximums will be one half of the normal full year amounts. For example, PPO medical plan members who use an out of network provider would be subject to a $125 deductible instead of $250 and their out of pocket maximum will be $1500 instead of $3000.
- Prescription drug out of pocket maximum for an individual employee will be $500 instead of $1000; individual retirees will be $750 instead of $1500.
- Routine vision care benefits, which are included in the medical plans, will be available during the short plan year and again beginning in January 2014 for the new calendar year plan year.
- Dental PPO deductibles will be $25 for an individual and $75 maximum for a family. The plan year maximum will be $750 instead of $1500.
- Maximum contributions to the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) will also be limited to one half of the normal full year amount. Healthcare FSA maximum will be $1,250/$104.16 per pay period and Dependent Care FSA maximum will be $2,500/$208.33 per pay period. There will be a total of 12 pay periods for the short plan year. Eligible healthcare expenses incurred between July 1, 2013 and March 15, 2014 will be eligible for reimbursement and all reimbursement claims for monies contributed during the short plan year must be submitted to ConnectYourCare by April 15, 2014 to avoid forfeiture of any remaining contributions from the short plan year.
Details for this OE period, including the new benefits booklet showing the changes to the medical and life insurance plans, along with the new premium rates, are posted on the Open Enrollment link on the state’s website, accessible at http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Pages/HBHome.aspx .
T3 is utilized as the primary means to share additional information about Open Enrollment so be sure to check it often for updates and reminders!
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x4-6018, or Gail Price, x4-6017.
Open Enrollment Update #3: Long Term Care Insurance – 4/19/2013
The 2013 Open Enrollment (OE) period for all Maryland state insurance benefits is now underway and will last until Tuesday, April 30.
OE offers eligible faculty, staff and retirees (including eligible direct- pay employees, contingent staff, lecturers and part-time faculty) the opportunity to evaluate and compare their current benefits coverage to the coverage and costs for the new short plan year July 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013. Changes can usually be made during OE without any special enrollment restrictions.
This spring’s OE is voluntary; therefore individuals who have no changes or corrections to their plans do not need to take any action. However, regular employees who would like to have flexible spending accounts (FSA) during the new short plan year must re-enroll during OE. Remember that OE does not affect or involve either of the USM benefit plans (Unum Group Life and Long Term Disability insurance).
Long Term Care Insurance
All active, regular faculty and staff members, retirees and their eligible dependents can still enroll in Long Term Care (LTC) insurance offered by The Prudential Insurance Company of America subject to medical underwriting; there is no guaranteed issue for LTC during this OE period. LTC is the help or supervision provided for someone with severe cognitive impairment or the inability to perform the Activities of Daily Living, including bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring and continence. Services may be provided at home or in a facility and care may be provided by a professional or informal caregiver, such as a friend or family member.
Remember that enrollment in the LTC plan during OE requires either direct contact with Prudential by phone at 1-800-732-0416 to obtain enrollment materials or by accessing Prudential’s website to enroll online. The state’s Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system cannot be used to enroll in LTC.(http://www3.prudential.com/cmelinks/StateMD_LTC/StateMD.html)
Details for this OE period, including the new benefits booklet showing the changes to the medical and life insurance plans, along with the new premium rates, are posted on the Open Enrollment link on the state’s website.
T3 is utilized as the primary means to share additional information about Open Enrollment, so be sure to check it often for updates and reminders!
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x4-6018, or Gail Price, x4-6017.
Open Enrollment Update #2: Changes to Maryland State Benefits Effective July 1, 2013 – 4/18/2013
The 2013 Open Enrollment (OE) period for all Maryland state insurance benefits is now underway and will last until Tuesday, April 30.
OE offers eligible faculty, staff and retirees (including eligible direct- pay employees, contingent staff, lecturers and part-time faculty) the opportunity to evaluate and compare their current benefits coverage to the coverage and costs for the new short plan year July 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013. Changes can usually be made during OE without any special enrollment restrictions.
This spring’s OE is voluntary; therefore individuals who have no changes or corrections to their plans do not need to take any action. However, regular employees who would like to have flexible spending accounts (FSA) during the new short plan year must re-enroll during OE. Remember that OE does not affect or involve either of the USM benefit plans (Unum Group Life and Long Term Disability insurance).
Changes to Take Effect July 1
The most significant change involves the introduction of Minnesota Life Insurance Company as the new group term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) carrier replacing MetLife. All current group term life and AD&D coverage will be rolled over from MetLife to Minnesota Life effective July 1, 2013. There’s no need to do anything unless you want to change or cancel your current coverage. Employees will be able to enroll in up to $50,000 of coverage for themselves on a guaranteed issue basis while eligible spouses/children are eligible for up to $25,000 of guaranteed issue coverage. Additional amounts are available subject to medical underwriting.
Other changes effective July 1 include:
- Several enhancements to women’s preventive services due to healthcare reform which will be provided at no cost to the member as long as they are received from an in-network provider
- The generic form of Zyban, also known as Bupropion, which is used as a tobacco cessation intervention will be covered by the Express Scripts drug plan with no copay
- Deductibles and out of pocket maximums for medical, behavioral health, prescription drugs and dental PPO plans will be cut in half for the short plan year
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions will be taken for 12 pay periods and the maximums will be $1,250 for the Healthcare FSA and $2,500 for the Dependent Day Care FSA
Details for this OE period, including the new benefits booklet showing the changes to the medical and life insurance plans, along with the new premium rates, are posted on the Open Enrollment link on the state’s website.
T3 is utilized as the primary means to share additional information about Open Enrollment so be sure to check it often for updates and reminders!
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x4-6018, or Gail Price, x4-6017.
Open Enrollment Update #1: Making Changes and Flexible Spending Accounts – 4/17/2013
The Spring 2013 Open Enrollment (OE) period for all Maryland state insurance benefits is now underway and will last until Tuesday, April 30.
OE offers eligible faculty, staff and retirees (including eligible direct- pay employees- contingent staff, lecturers and part-time faculty) the opportunity to evaluate and compare their current benefits coverage to the coverage and costs for the new short plan year July 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013. Most changes can be made during OE without any special enrollment restrictions.
This year’s OE is voluntary therefore no action will be necessary if no changes or corrections are needed unless a regular employee wants to have flexible spending accounts (FSA) during the new short plan year. Remember that OE does not affect or involve either of the USM benefit plans (Unum Group Life and Long Term Disability insurance).
Making Changes
Active regular faculty and staff members and retirees who are currently enrolled in state benefits will have to use the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system to make any changes during OE. The IVR phone lines are in operation 24 hours a day/seven days a week during OE but will close at 11:59 p.m. on April 30. The IVR voice numbers are 410-669-3893 or 1-888-578-6434; individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability should use Relay or 711. In order to access IVR, you will be asked to input your Social Security number and special PIN which is the 4 digit number of the month and day of your birth (e.g. February 4 would be 0204). When calling the IVR, be patient and listen carefully and completely to all the prompts to ensure that the changes you want to make are accepted by the system. Pay particular attention if you are adding any dependents since that also requires accessing the Dependent record portion of the IVR system to assure that they are listed correctly for each plan you expect them to be enrolled in. All regular employees should first attempt to use the IVR; if they are unable to access the system, they will have to complete and hand deliver an active OE worksheet to TU Human Resources before 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 in order to enroll or make any changes during OE.
Direct -pay employees are not able to use the IVR and will have to complete and hand- deliver their OE worksheet, along with all other required dependent documentation, to TU Human Resources before 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 30 in order to enroll or make any changes during OE.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Although this OE is voluntary all active, regular faculty and staff employees who want to have flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for health care or dependent day care for the new short plan year July 1, 2013-December 31, 2013 must re-enroll in those plans before the OE deadline. To figure the amount to be deducted each pay period, regular faculty and staff employees should divide the annual amount desired by 12 and input that number when using the IVR. Remember that for the new short plan year beginning July 1, 2013, the maximum for the Healthcare FSA will be $1,250 while the maximum for Dependent Day Care FSA will be $2,500.
Details for this OE period, including rates and the new benefits booklet with summaries of the available medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage along with the new life insurance plan, are posted on the Open Enrollment link on the state’s website.
T3-Towson Tigers Today is utilized as the primary means to share additional information about Open Enrollment so be sure to check it often for updates and reminders!
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x4-6018, or Gail Price, x4-6017.
Open Enrollment Begins Today! – 4/16/2013
The Spring 2013 Open Enrollment (OE) period for all Maryland state insurance benefits is now underway and will last until Tuesday, April 30.
OE offers eligible faculty, staff and retirees (including eligible direct- pay employees: contingent staff, lecturers and part-time faculty) the opportunity to evaluate and compare their current benefits coverage to the coverage and costs for the new short plan year July 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013. Changes can usually be made during OE without any special enrollment restrictions.
This year’s OE will be voluntary; therefore individuals who have no changes or corrections to their plans do not need to take any action. However, regular employees who would like to have flexible spending accounts (FSA) during the new short plan year must re-enroll during OE. Remember that OE does not affect or involve either of the USM benefit plans (Unum Group Life and Long Term Disability insurance).
Outreach Sessions
Once again, the TU OHR will be holding OE Outreach Sessions for the benefit of faculty, staff and retirees who may need further assistance with their OE decisions. The complete OE Outreach Session schedule is available online.
Separate reminders will also be posted on T3- Towson Tigers Today under the Today at Towson heading each day an Outreach Session will take place.
Details for this OE period, including the new benefits booklet along with the new premium rates, are posted on the Open Enrollment link on the state’s website.
T3- Towson Tigers Today is utilized as the primary means to share additional information about
Open Enrollment so be sure to check it often for updates and reminders!
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x46018, or Gail Price, x46017.
Open Enrollment Spring 2013: Dates, Rates and Benefits Festival – 4/08/2013
The Spring 2013 Open Enrollment (OE) period for all Maryland state insurance benefits will take place from Tuesday, April 16 to Tuesday, April 30.
OE offers eligible faculty, staff and retirees (including eligible direct- pay employees: contingent staff, lecturers and part-time faculty) the opportunity to evaluate and compare their current benefits coverage to the coverage and costs for the new short plan year July 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013. Changes can usually be made during OE without any special enrollment restrictions.
This year’s OE will be voluntary; therefore, individuals who have no changes or corrections to their plans do not need to take any action. However, regular employees who would like to have flexible spending accounts (FSA) during the new short plan year must re-enroll during OE. Remember that OE does not affect or involve either of the USM benefit plans (Unum Group Life and Long Term Disability insurance).
Rates
The new short plan year premium rates for regular faculty and staff employees, State retirees and direct pay employees are posted on the state’s website under the Open Enrollment link, accessible at http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Pages/HBHome.aspx . Medical plan rates for all plans (except for Aetna’s EPO which remains the same) will increase between 1.2% (for CareFirst BlueCross/BlueShield POS) to 14.6% (for CareFirst BlueCross/BlueShield EPO). Rates for the prescription drug plan will increase by approximately 1.1% and the rates for United Concordia’s DHMO plan will increase approximately 4.5%. While rates for United Concordia’s DPPO plan as well as term life insurance for spouses and dependent children and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage with the new carrier Minnesota Life will remain the same, rates for the new term life insurance for employees have decreased.
Benefits Festival
Faculty and staff employees and retirees should plan on attending the Benefits Festival being held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 19 in the University Union Chesapeake rooms. All of the Maryland state benefits providers will be available at the festival so take advantage of this opportunity to meet with them and find out how the changes in coverage and medical plan design will affect you and/or your family in the short plan year July 1, 2013- December 31, 2013. Special flyers with more details about this exciting and important event will soon be distributed to faculty and staff employees via campus mail.
T3-Towson Tigers Today is utilized as the primary means to share additional information about Open Enrollment so be sure to check it often for updates and reminders!
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x4-6018, or Gail Price, x4-6017.
Dates and Benefits Festival – 3/06/2013
Open Enrollment Spring 2013: Dates and Benefits Festival/Health Fair
The 2013 Open Enrollment (OE) period for all Maryland state insurance benefits will take place from Tuesday, April 16 to Tuesday, April 30. It’s important to note that since the State of Maryland is converting their plan year to a calendar year basis beginning January 2014, this spring’s OE will only cover the period July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. The State is planning on offering another OE this fall for the new 2014 plan year.
OE offers eligible faculty, staff and retirees (including eligible direct- pay employees: contingent staff, lecturers and part-time faculty) the opportunity to evaluate and compare their current benefits coverage to the coverage and costs for the plan period July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. Changes can usually be made during OE without any special enrollment restrictions.
This year’s OE will be voluntary; therefore, individuals who have no changes or corrections to their plans do not need to take any action. However, regular employees who would like to have flexible spending accounts (FSA) between July 1 and December 31, 2013 must re-enroll during this upcoming OE. Remember that OE does not affect or involve either of the USM benefit plans (Unum Group Life and Long Term Disability insurance).
For more details and direct updates from the State of Maryland go to www.dbm.maryland.gov/benefits . A link to that site is also on the TU OHR home page as well.
Benefits Festival and Health Fair
Faculty and staff employees and retirees should plan on attending the Benefits Festival and Health Fair being held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 19 in the University Union Chesapeake rooms. All of the Maryland state benefits providers will be available at the festival so take advantage of this opportunity to meet with them and find out how the changes in coverage and medical plan design will affect you and/or your family for the remainder of 2013. Special flyers with more details about this exciting and important event will soon be distributed to faculty and staff employees via campus mail.
T3 is utilized as the primary means to share additional information about OE to faculty and staff members so be sure to check it often for updates and reminders!
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis, x4-6018, or Gail Price, x4-6017.
Benefits Bulletin: Payroll Deductions for Regular Faculty and Staff Employees – 1/02/2013
All regular faculty and staff employees are reminded that payroll deductions for all Maryland State insurance coverage and flexible spending accounts are only taken 24 times each calendar year. Since there will be a total of 27 paychecks in 2013, those deductions will not be taken from the January 2, July 3 and December 30 paychecks. Payroll deductions/contributions for Supplemental Retirement plans, USM Life Insurance and USM Long Term Disability coverage will only be taken from the first 26 paychecks in 2013 and not from the December 30 paycheck.
Questions should be directed to Dave Curtis at x4-6018 or by email: dcurtis@towson.edu or to Gail Price at x4-6017 or by email: gprice@towson.edu.
