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 from October 15, 2014 through 5 p.m. on November 14, 2014. Read on for the most frequently asked open enrollment questions.
What are the key benefit changes in the 2015 plan year?
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 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.
What is the open enrollment process?
The interactive voice response (IVR) is not available for open enrollment this year. You need to complete and submit a paper enrollment form if any of the following applies to you: you are enrolled in one of the discontinued plans; you want to change your benefits or dependents; or you want to have a flexible spending account for 2015. If you are in plans that are being offered in 2015, you do not want to make changes to benefits or dependents, and you are not electing flexible spending in 2015, no action is required.
What happens if I do not complete an enrollment form?
Your current benefit elections will roll over for the new plan year, EXCEPT THE DISCONTINUED MEDICAL AND DENTAL PLANS AND THE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS. Those plans will not roll over to the new plan year.
How can I get help if I have questions about open enrollment?
The best ways to get help are:
- Email the benefits staff at openenrollment@towson.edu
- Visit Towson’s open enrollment website at www.towson.edu/openenrollment
- Visit the benefits office during walk-in hours. Beginning on 10/16/14, walk in hours will be 9 am – 1 pm on Mondays & Thursdays and 12 – 4 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. There are no walk-in hours on Wednesdays or on Monday, 11/17/14. Other times are by appointment.
- 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 – 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Liberal Arts LA 3150
- Thursday, October 30, 2014 – 2:00 – 4:00 pm – Enrollment Services, Room 306
- Monday, November 3, 2014 – 7:30 – 10:30 am – General Services Building, Main Conference Room
- Thursday, November 6, 2014 – 3:00 – 6:00 pm – General Services Building, Main Conference Room
- Friday, November 7, 2014 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Towson Center Kinesiology, Room 200
- Monday, November 10, 2014 – 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Cook Library, Room 411
