This year’s Open Enrollment period, which runs from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, features a new process for WSU faculty and staff to make any needed changes to their healthcare and other benefits.
All Open Enrollment changes are now made through Workday, the university’s modernized digital system for managing employment and financial information. Step-by-step instructions will be available at the Workday Knowledge Base by Nov. 1, when the monthlong Open Enrollment period opens. Additional help and resources will be posted on the HRS Open Enrollment website as they become available.
The annual Open Enrollment period is the one time each year benefits-eligible faculty and staff can make changes to certain benefits and coverage without the occurrence of a special event such as a job change or marriage.
During Open Enrollment, you can:
- Change your medical and/or dental plans.
- Waive or add family members to your plan.
- Change medical premium deductions to pre- or post-tax (IRC Section 125).
- Attest to the spouse or state-registered domestic partner premium surcharge, if required to do so.
- Enroll in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) benefits for 2022.
No action is required if you do not want to make changes to your medical/dental coverage for yourself or your dependents, are not required to re-attest to the spousal surcharge questionnaire, do not wish to reduce or decline the automatic 60% LTD benefit, and do not wish to have a FSA/DCAP account for 2022.
Medical Plan Changes
Medical plan changes are minimal for 2022. A complete summary of all plan changes can be found in the October 2021 For Your Benefit Newsletter or on the HRS Open Enrollment website.
In addition to the Medical FSA currently offered, a Limited Purpose FSA option is being added for 2022, which only covers certain vision and dental expenses. Unlike the Medical FSA, the new Limited Purpose FSA is compatible with HSA/CDHP medical plans.
FSA Benefit Changes
The grace period to use unspent FSA funds from the previous year by March 15 is being replaced with a carryover option starting in 2023. The carryover option will allow up to $550 in unspent funds to be transferred to the following year’s FSA. 2021 FSAs will have the grace period through March 15, 2022 to use unspent funds, and unspent 2022 FSA funds will be carried over into 2023.
The annual contribution limit for FSAs is remaining at $2,750 for the 2022 plan year, however the minimum election is being lowered from $240 to $120. You must enroll during Open Enrollment for each year you wish to participate in this benefit.
Long Term Disability (LTD) Plan Changes
Starting January 2022, major changes will be occurring to the Long Term Disability insurance.
- Employees not enrolled in the employee-paid optional LTD insurance will automatically be enrolled in the 60% salary replacement benefit.
- In addition to the 60% LTD benefit, employees will also have a 50% option or can opt out of employee-paid coverage entirely.
- The maximum monthly benefit will increase to cover the first $16,667 of pre-tax earnings (previously $10,000).
- All waiting periods will be changed to a 90-day waiting period (WP).
LTD elections made during Open Enrollment, or the 60% plan auto-enrollment for those who do nothing, will be effective January 1, 2022. LTD coverage can be reduced or declined at any time after Open Enrollment.
HSA benefit
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is automatically established for employees enrolled in a Consumer Directed Health Plan (CDHP). WSU will make an employer contribution of $58.34 per month ($700.08 annually) for an individual or $116.67 per month ($1,400.04 annually) for those who enroll their family on their medical plan. Employees can also make pre-tax contributions to the HSA through payroll deduction. Elections can be made at any time using the Change HSA at Any Time benefit event in Workday.
The contribution limit for the HSA tied to CDHPs will increase to $3,650 for individuals and $7,300 for families for 2022, with an additional $1,000 allowed for those over the age of 55. Overall contribution amounts include employee and employer contributions, as well as the SmartHealth $125 wellness incentive.
Benefits Fairs and Presentations
HRS Benefit Services and our benefit vendors are providing presentations to help you better understand the upcoming changes and benefit options available to you during Open Enrollment. HRS Presentation topics include a general benefits overview, Long Term Disability changes, and Flexible Spending Arrangement changes. WSU Faculty and Staff at all locations are invited to attend these presentations by Zoom (no registration required). Visit the presentations portion of the HRS OE webpage for the full schedule and Zoom details.
The annual HCA Benefits Fairs will be held virtually this year. You can visit the virtual benefits fair by computer, tablet, or smartphone at any time through the end of November to access videos, webinars, downloadable content, and other information to help you choose the right benefits.
Human Resource Services asks that employees please review the information sources provided before reaching out to the department with questions. Contact HRS for assistance.
