Annual Health Care and Flexible Spending Open Enrollment started last week: May 3 – 17, 2021
If no action is taken between May 1 to May 17, 2021, you will remain in your current health care plan and will not have a FSA for the new plan year of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. (Reminder: premium reward requires you to complete/update the health assessment each year).
Open Enrollment is your opportunity to make changes on your health insurance coverage and to enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSA). You may enroll or waive coverage, change health plans, add or remove buy up options and add or remove family members without experiencing a qualifying mid-year event. FSA lets you use your pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible medical expenses and/or dependent care expenses. You may contribute up to $2,750 for a Health FSA and up to $5,000 for Dependent Care FSA. Please note that you must enroll in FSA accounts each year to participate. Dependent Care FSA Grace Period and Qualifying Mid-Year Events. There are questions and answers published in the Spotlight newsletter (below email) on pages 10 and 11. A question on page 10 addresses this issue:
Q: I typically make a Dependent Care FSA election during Open Enrollment to offset the cost of child care. What happens if dependent care centers are closed or have limited enrollments in the next plan year?
- It is not recommended that you make an Open Enrollment election for the Dependent Care FSA in anticipation of enrolling your dependent into a valid childcare program in the fall. You are allowed to make a prospective election change during the plan year if services become available based on a dependent care cost or coverage change. You may also reduce or cancel your Dependent Care FSA if your services are reduced or cancelled. You must notify our Benefits Administrator to assist you with the mid-year election change within 60 days of the change.
Additional information on the health and flexible benefits open enrollment is located at https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/docs/default-source/benefitsdocuments/ohb/open-enrollment-2021/fsa-sourcebook-2021.pdf?sfvrsn=7ced3d36_2
How to Enroll or Make Changes
Submit your requests via EmployeeDirect at https://edirect.virginia.gov/ (instructions for using EmployeeDirect are located at https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/docs/default-source/benefitsdocuments/ohb/open-enrollment-2021/using-health-benefits-direct-42121.pdf?sfvrsn=48edda8_0 ) If you are unable to use EmployeeDirect you may submit a paper form one was mailed to your home address. We are encouraging employees to use EmployeeDirect Health Benefits Direct application during open enrollment. Regardless of whether you make elections during Open Enrollment, it is always a good idea to visit EmployeeDirect to check current benefits and contact information. This ensures you are aware of your current health plan and that your profile is up to date. Using EmployeeDirect permits you to review your health benefits record and make Open Enrollment changes online and receive a confirmation of your submissions, you may also update your address, preferred phone number, and email.
A paper enrollment form was mailed to you separately or you may also download and submit an enrollment form at https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/docs/default-source/benefitsdocuments/ohb/stateactiveenrollform-for-fillable-pdf-a10520.pdf?sfvrsn=501dab2e_6
If no action is taken on or before May 17, 2021, you will remain in your current health care plan and will not have a FSA for the new plan year of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.
Premium Reward
If you are participating with COVA Care or COVA HealthAware you are eligible to earn the premium reward. You save $17 per month on your monthly premiums once you and/or your covered spouse completes the Health Assessment with your Provider. That is a savings $204 annually. If your spouse participates in the health plan and both complete the Health Assessment that is a total savings of $408 annually once the requirements are completed. Premium Reward Requirements
If you are currently receiving the Premium Reward you will need to update your online Health Assessment by May 17, 2021 to continue receiving the reward beginning plan year July 1, 2021. Premium Reward FAQs
You may earn the premium reward after July 1, 2021, by completing the health assessment by the 15th of the month and you will receive the reward 6 to 8 weeks later.
We will not be having Open Enrollment Informational Presentations; However, there will be an online PowerPoint presentation and FAQs you can view on your own. Also Kaiser will host virtual sessions for UMW please click the link on your preferred date:
NOTE: An enrollment package and a paper enrollment form has been mailed to your home address and open enrollment information may also be found online at https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits/open-enrollment2021-22 Alex, the virtual benefits counselor, is available to assist in making a plan election.
For questions and additional information, please contact your Benefits Administrator, Denise Frye, at dfrye2@umw.edu or Benefits Analyst, Janet Hudgins at jhudgins@umw.edu
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