The annual health benefits open enrollment provides an opportunity for faculty and staff to make changes to current benefits which become effective January 1, 2015. The open enrollment period will be October 15 – November 14, 2014. Distribution of open enrollment materials to Towson faculty and staff will begin late September – early October.
Here are some frequently asked questions about this year’s open enrollment.
Q: What are the key benefit changes in the 2015 plan year?
A: The following medical plans will not be offered in 2015 – AETNA POS & EPO, CareFirst POS, and United Healthcare POS. The United Concordia DHMO dental plan will not be offered in 2015. If you are enrolled in one or more of these plans, you must elect a new plan(s) in 2015 or you will not have coverage.
A new medical plan is being offered – Kaiser Permanente, and a new dental plan – Delta Dental DHMO.
*Other changes include – Domestic partner coverage is ending 12/31/14, the annual maximum benefit limit in the United Concordia Dental DPPO is increasing from $1,500 to $2,500, there will no longer be a separate plan provider for mental health and substance abuse treatment (coverage will be offered as part of your medical plan), treatment of gender dysphoria, and a new wellness program is being introduced.
*See plan documents for complete details – visit the State of Maryland, Employee Benefits Division (EBD) website.
Q: What is the open enrollment process and when will I receive my open enrollment packet?
A: The IVR (interactive voice response) is not available for open enrollment this year. This is an entirely paper process for faculty and staff who are in one of the plans that are being discontinued, who want to change their benefits or dependents, and/or want to enroll in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2015. They must complete an enrollment form – but not everyone needs to complete a form.
If faculty and staff are adding a dependent to existing coverage or new coverage, the Employee Benefits Division (EBD) requires a signed dependent affidavit and proof of the dependent relationship. The required dependent documentation is outlined in the CY 2015 Benefits Guide posted on the EBD website.
Of course, any faculty or staff member electing benefits for the first time would complete an enrollment form and submit any required dependent documentation (if applicable.)
Regular Faculty and Staff enrolled in EBD’s benefits system as of 8/24/14 will receive an open enrollment packet via campus mail in late September – early October.
Direct pay benefit enrollees enrolled in EBD’s benefits system as of 8/24/14 will be mailed an open enrollment packet by EBD in late September – early October.
All other eligible faculty and staff who are not currently enrolled in any health plan will receive information about the enrollment process via T3 and other communication mediums in early October.
Q: What are the important dates I should know?
A: The open enrollment period begins on October 15, 2014 and ends on November 14, 2014. Enrollment forms are due in OHR/Benefits Unit by 5 p.m. on November 14, 2014. Forms cannot be accepted after this time.
- Towson’s Annual Benefits Fair – Friday, October 3, 2014, 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Potomac Lounge of the UU.
- Open enrollment outreach sessions are planned on the following dates below. The open enrollment outreach sessions are available for faculty and staff to meet with a benefits staff member to ask questions or deliver their completed open enrollment forms.
- Tuesday, October 28, 2014, 1 – 3 p.m. – Liberal Arts 3150
- Thursday, October 30, 2014, 2 – 4 p.m. – Enrollment Services 306
- Monday, November 3, 2014, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. – General Services Building, Main Conference Room
- Thursday, November 6, 2014, 3 – 6 p.m. – General Services Building, Main Conference Room
- Friday, November 7, 2014, 10 a.m. – noon – Towson Center, Kinesiology, Room 200
- Monday, November 10, 2014, 1 – 3 p.m. – Cook Library 411
Future T3 announcements will contain details and frequently asked questions about open enrollment; be sure to read!
