Open enrollment, which begins Nov. 1, 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.