Eastern Michigan University's open enrollment period for
healthcare coverage and the Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
is scheduled through Nov. 14.
 |
OPEN ENROLLMENT: Eastern
Michigan University's
open
enrollment period for
healthcare coverage and
the
Flexible Spending Account is
scheduled through
Nov. 14. |
During this period, athletic coaches, administrative professionals,
confidential clericals, campus police, food service, custodial
and maintenance; professional technical, lecturers and
visiting faculty employees may choose to change their previously
selected PPO Option during this period. If an employee
wishes to remain in their current health plan, they need
do nothing further.
All EMU employees also have the right to waive their EMU
health coverage, provided health coverage is verified through
their spouse's employer (other than EMU) or through another
non-EMU health care plan. Employees, who have previously
waived, may elect to return to EMU's health plan during
open enrollment. Please refer to your open enrollment
booklet for further details. The booklet is available on
the Human Resources Web site at http://www.emich.edu/hr/benefits/openenroll2008.pdf
The "Health Care Options" booklet has been mailed to campus
departments. This booklet provides specific information
on each of the available health plans. The effective
date of the new coverage is Jan. 1, 2009.
Clerical secretarial (CS) employees may remain in their
current PPO or elect to waive their health care, said Jeanette
Hassan, EMU's director of benefit programs. There will
be a special open enrollment in May 2009 for the CS employees
to select one of the new healthcare options. The new health
plan for CS employees will take effect July 1, 2009.
This year, police sergeants must select a new PPO Option
from the two Community Blue PPO Options offered, Option
1 and Option 2. Their current Community Blue PPO will end
as of Dec. 31, 2008. A detailed description of the PPO
Options can be found in the open enrollment booklet. Police
sergeants who do not select an option by the end of open
enrollment (Nov. 14) will default to Option 1. Option 1
will not have cost sharing, while Option 2 will require
cost sharing based on coverage type — $709 annually
for single coverage; $1,036 annually for two person or
family coverage. These premiums are pre-tax deductions.
During the open enrollment period, any changes relating
to dependents (additions which were not previously added
within 30 days of the event) may be completed as well.
In addition, verification of the IRS dependency for children
between the ages of 19 and 24 must be provided during this
period. These rates are in the open enrollment booklet.
The Benefits Office, 140 McKenny Hall, must receive all
enrollment forms no later than Friday, Nov. 14.
Enrollment in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) also
will take place during this period.
"We are happy to announce there will be a change in EMU's
FSA vendor for 2009. More information regarding the
new vendor and new enrollment forms will be announced at
the end of the week," Hassan said.
Short-Term Disability open enrollment
The Open Enrollment Period for the Short-Term Disability
benefit for CS employees is scheduled through Friday, Nov.
14. During this time, clerical/secretarial employees who
did not enroll in the Short-Term Disability benefit when
initially offered will have the opportunity to enroll,
with coverage becoming effective Jan. 1, 2009.
Beginning with Open Enrollment in 2009, any enrollments
(beyond 30 days of hire) will require a Statement of Health
to be completed. CS employees who are interested in this
benefit should complete an enrollment application and turn
it in by Nov. 14. There is a cost to the benefit of $7.58
per month. CS employees who are currently enrolled in the
plan need to do nothing.
This benefit is administered by MetLife, which offers
a dedicated customer response center; a toll free number
to initiate claims (1-800-858-6506); and seamless transition
from Short-Term Disability to Long-Term Disability. For
questions, contact Karyn Jones or the Benefits Office at
487-3195.
