The fall 2013 Open Enrollment (OE) period for all Maryland state insurance benefits is now underway and will continue until Wednesday, October 16.
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 January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014. 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 January 1 and December 31, 2014 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).
Contract Renewals and Continuation of Benefits
All direct-pay employees (contingent staff, lecturers and part-time faculty) who are currently enrolled and paying for Maryland State group insurance benefits are reminded that those benefits are active only through the end of their current contract period as printed on their coupons.
Direct -pay employees who want to continue their current state benefits after the end of their current contract period must have their department head/chair send a brief statement listing their name and new contract dates to either Gail Price or Dave Curtis in Towson University’s Office of Human Resources Benefits Unit. If the exact dates of the new contract period are not yet confirmed, the statement should indicate that the department intends to offer a new contract and include the expected dates of the new contract period.
This procedure is especially important now due to the OE period that is currently underway through October 16, 2013. Before the MD State Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will send out payment coupons for the plan year beginning January 1, 2014, they must have new contract renewal dates.
Details for this OE period, including the new benefits booklet along with the premium rates for 2014 and details about the Affordable Care Act, are posted on the state’s website.
T3 is used 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, email: dcurtis@towson.edu or Gail Price, x46017 email: gprice@towson.edu.
