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.
Here are some frequently asked questions about this year’s open enrollment.
Q. When is open enrollment?
A. Open Enrollment began on October 15, 2014 and ends at 5 p.m. November 14, 2014.
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 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.
Q. Am I required to complete a paper enrollment form?
A. 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 – Aetna EPO, Aetna POS, CareFirst POS, United Healthcare POS, and United Concordia Dental HMO.
- you want to change your benefits or dependents
- you want to have a flexible spending account for 2015
If you are enrolled 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.
Q. What happens if I do not complete an enrollment form?
A. 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.
Q. Do I have to re-enroll in flexible spending accounts this year?
A. Yes, flexible spending accounts do not carry over from year to year. Enrollment is required every new plan year.
Q. Will I be able to make changes to my benefits once open enrollment closes on 11/14/14?
A. You will NOT be able to make changes to benefits once open enrollment closes unless you have a qualifying event. Qualifying events include marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, etc. A complete description of qualifying events is in the 2015 Benefits Guide.
