PULLMAN, Wash. – Open enrollment Nov. 1-30 is the one time of year when employees can make changes to and enroll in certain benefits for the upcoming plan year.
More information can be found at http://www.hrs.wsu.edu/OpenEnrollment2015, at statewide benefits fairs in November and in the state Public Employees Benefit Board “For Your Benefit” October newsletter that Washington State University employees receive in the mail.
Medical benefits coverage will remain the same for 2015 under all plans, with some enhancements/expansions. Premiums can be found on the website mentioned above. Life insurance supplemental premiums and long term disability premiums will increase.
Employees wishing to participate in a flexible spending account or the dependent care assistance plan must sign up for 2015 benefits. And those carrying a spouse or domestic partner on a medical plan must attest for the 2015 plan year about the spouse’s/partner’s non-WSU medical coverage or pay a surcharge.
The Nov. 4 Pullman benefits fair will include a new, free diabetes screening option, NOT ME. And starting in January, a new, interactive website will be available to use to pursue the 2016 SmartHealth Wellness Incentive.
Employees may direct questions to WSU Human Resource Services at 509-335-4521 or hrs@wsu.edu.
During open enrollment, employees can:
• Change medical and/or dental plans.
• Reinstate previously waived coverage without proof of loss of coverage.
• Re-attest to the spousal premium surcharge question, if carrying a spouse/partner on medical coverage. This is required.
• Waive eligible family members from coverage.
• Waive PEBB medical coverage, if covered by other comprehensive group medical coverage.
• Enroll eligible family members without proof of loss of coverage.
• Enroll or re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP).
• Designate 2015 Health Savings Account (HSA) annual election.
• Change medical premium deduction to pre- or post-tax (IRS Section 152).
• Change tax status of a domestic partner or dependent (IRC Section 152) by completing the Declaration of Tax Status form.
Most of the changes can be made online, and all can be made via hardcopy; forms will be available Nov. 1 at http://www.hrs.wsu.edu/OpenEnrollment2015.
Benefits fairs will be held at:
WSU Pullman 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, in the CUB junior ballroom.
* Open enrollment and benefit review 11 a.m.-noon or 12:30-1:30 p.m.
* Flexible spending account presentation noon-12:30 p.m.
* NOT ME diabetes screening 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Butch’s Den, CUB L60
WSU Everett noon-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov, 12th, in Everett Community College fitness center.
* Flexible spending accounts 11:30 a.m.-noon in the multipurpose room
WSU Spokane 1-4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3rd, at Spokane Community College Building 6, Lair Sasquatch/Bigfoot Room.
* Flexible spending accounts 1-1:30 p.m., Lair auditorium
WSU Tri-Cities 1-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Columbia Basin College, H Building, Byron Gjerde Center.
* Flexible spending accounts 1-1:30 p.m.
WSU Vancouver noon-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, at Clark College, Gaiser Hall Student Center.
* Flexible spending accounts noon-12:30 p.m., Penguin Union Building 257
Additional statewide sessions can be found on the PEBB website at http://www.hca.wa.gov/pebb/Pages/fairs.aspx.