Planning Your Next Steps

Open Enrollment will be held from November 1 – 30, 2012. If you are currently enrolled in a University offered benefit plan and don’t want to change plans for you or your family, you don’t need to do anything.  For example, if you are enrolled in the Premera PPO plan and are satisfied with this choice, your PPO election will automatically carry over on January 1st at the 2013 premium rate.  The only exception is to re-enroll each year if you wish to remain a participant in either the healthcare or dependent care flexible spending account.
Regardless of whether you make a change for 2013, take advantage of this period to update your understanding of the plans. Consider participating in the Benefits Fair on November 6 or one of the healthcare information meetings scheduled during the month.
Here’s a suggested action list for your 2013 Open Enrollment:

1. Review your options for coverage as described on this site.
2. Mark your calendar to participate in a healthcare information meeting.  The meeting dates are November 1, 7, 9, 13 and 15.  See the enrollment guide for specific times and locations.
3. Choose your plans.  As you evaluate the PPO, Group Health - and especially the new HSA; make use of the online planning and decision support tools created for you by Premera and Fidelity.  Premera and Fidelity will also be available at the November 6 benefits fair.  Reviewing your recent Explanation of Benefits and healthcare receipts may be helpful. Also, confirm your doctor's status under Premera or Group Health.
4. If enrolling in a flexible spending account, determine the annual contribution amount for 2013.  You are required to specify this each year as you re-enroll for healthcare or dependent care expenses.
5. Complete the Benefits Enrollment form and return a printed and signed copy to Human Resources no later than November 30. 
6. Have you reviewed your beneficiary designations for life insurance, accidental death/dismemberment or the retirement plan within the past 12 months?  If you haven’t, you are strongly encouraged to complete a new form to ensure survivor benefits, in the event of your death, are processed according to your wishes.