Key Changes Coming for Open Enrollment 2018

Key Changes Coming for Open Enrollment 2018

Open enrollment is different this year. In previous years, UA conducted a passive open enrollment where employees could retain their existing benefit coverages year after year without having to act. This will no longer be the case.

Active Open Enrollment

UA will conduct an active open enrollment Nov. 1–15. Every employee must act by electing or declining health, dental or vision insurance coverages and flexible spending accounts during open enrollment.

Employees who fail to enroll in health, dental and vision insurance or a flexible spending account by Nov. 15 will not have coverage effective Jan. 1, 2019, and must wait until the next open enrollment period to elect coverage, unless a qualifying life event occurs.

Active enrollment is necessary to comply with Affordable Care Act requirements to offer coverage to at least 95 percent of full-time employees and to facilitate the addition of a new medical plan.

Choice in Medical Plans

For the first time, UA employees will now have a choice in medical plans. UA currently offers a Preferred Provider Organization medical plan through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Effective Jan. 1, 2019, UA employees will have a choice in medical plans with the introduction of a High Deductible Health Plan paired with a Health Savings Account.

Information Sessions

Employees can learn more about the benefit changes and open enrollment at the following general sessions:

Thursday, Sept. 20 1:30 p.m.– 3 p.m. 205 Gorgas Library
Wednesday, Sept. 26 1:30 p.m.– 3 p.m. 205 Gorgas Library
Monday, Oct. 1 5:30 p.m.– 7 p.m. Employee Resource Center*
Wednesday, Oct. 17** 10 a.m.–11 a.m. Coleman Coliseum

 

*The Employee Resource Center is located on the University Services Campus at 1670 Ruby Tyler Parkway.

** The Oct. 17 session will be an informal, come-and-go session held during the Work-Life & Wellness Expo at Coleman Coliseum in the CM Newton Room.

Find out more about sessions and open enrollment changes at http://hr.ua.edu/benefits/openenrollment.