HR, Payroll and Benefits News

Annual Benefits Enrollment period: October 17 - November 11, 2016
October 4, 2016

What is the Annual Benefits Enrollment Period?

The Annual Benefits Enrollment period, October 17- November 11, is the only annual opportunity you have to make changes to most of your benefits unless you have an eligible family status or employment change during the year. Changes made during the enrollment period are effective January 1, 2017. Start planning now so you are ready for the enrollment period.

Prepare:

Do I Need to Do Anything During the Annual Benefits Enrollment Period?

Review your current benefits and the 2017 benefit plan changes.
Some plans require that you enroll each year to continue your participation. If you are participating in one of these plans, you must enroll each year:

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) including Health Care FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, Dependent Day Care FSA
Health Savings Account (HSA) requires that you enroll every year you are enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
State Group Health Insurance Opt-Out Incentive

Attend your Benefits Fair. This is an opportunity to meet with staff from health plans and other benefit vendors.
Visit the Annual Benefits Enrollment website wisconsin.edu/abe where information will be posted as it becomes available. The website will have details on what you need to know, including a list of State Group Health Insurance plans that will no longer be available in 2017.

Decide:

Do you want to enroll or make changes to your medical, dental or vision coverage? Do you want to contribute pre-tax dollars to help pay for out-of-pocket expenses? Review the chart below for a summary of changes and opportunities during the Annual Benefits Enrollment period.

Changes Allowed During Annual Benefits Enrollment

Plan	Open Enrollment		Change Plan	Add / Remove Dependents*	Cancel Coverage
State Group Health	Yes		Any health plan Add or remove Uniform Dental	Yes	Yes; may be eligible to receive up to $2,000 if opting out of coverage. (opt-out requires application)
Health Savings Account (HSA)		You are required to actively enroll in the HSA each year if you enroll in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).
Dental Wisconsin	Yes		PPO ←→ Select	Yes		Yes
EPIC Benefits+	Yes, but will have graduated dental benefits		Add or remove vision insurance	Yes		Yes
VSP Vision	Yes		N/A	Yes		Yes
Individual & Family Life Insurance	Annual Increase Option		Increase current coverage	N/A	Any time
Employee Reimbursement Account (ERA)	This program includes the Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Transit/Parking Accounts. If you choose to participate in the FSAs, you must enroll each year. (University Staff Temporary Employees, Fellows, Scholars, Graduate Interns/Trainees, or Post-Doctoral. Fellows/Trainees are not eligible to participate in Health Care, Limited Purpose and Dependent Day Care FSAs.)

*See the Overview of Eligible Dependents to see who you can cover on your plans: www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/med/uws25.pdf

Act:

Complete your 2017 benefits elections using Self Service (eBenefits) via the MyUW portal. All enrollments and changes must be completed by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 11, 2016.

For more information on benefit plans, premiums and how to enroll:wisconsin.edu/abe

Source: UW Service Center
Categories: Annual Benefits Enrollment (ABE)

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