The annual benefits Open Enrollment period for eligible WSU faculty and staff begins Tuesday, Nov. 1 and runs through Wednesday, Nov. 30. This is the one time each year changes can be made to certain benefits and coverage without the occurrence of a life event (job change, marriage, etc.).
During Open Enrollment, you can:
- Change your medical and/or dental plans.
- Remove 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 a Medical or Limited Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) account for 2023.
It is recommended all benefit-eligible employees review their current benefits elections through the Open Enrollment event, arriving in your Workday inbox on Nov. 1. The above changes can be pursued through the Workday event, with a Nov. 30 submission deadline. If you do not submit any elections, you will remain in your current medical/dental plans and dependent coverage if applicable. If you are currently enrolled in FSA or DCAP and wish to continue this benefit in 2023, you will need to re-enroll.
All Open Enrollment changes are made through Workday. Step-by-step instructions and informational videos are available to help you make your elections on the HRS Open Enrollment website.
Medical Plan Changes
Premiums for all plans will be changing in 2023. Overall plan changes are minimal for 2023, and include:
- Limiting insulin costs to $35/mo for all plans
- Increasing deductibles for CDHPs and out-of-pocket max on Kaiser NW Classic
- Allowing accumulators, i.e. deductibles and out-of-pocket accumulations, to transfer between PEBB and SEBB coverage on most plans
- Expanding in-home care availability for Kaiser plans and options for first prescription fills on KPWA
- Adding myStrength, a digital mental and emotional health support tool, for Uniform plans. MyStrength is already available on Kaiser Plans.
Read on for a complete summary of all plan changes. More information can be found in the October 2022 For Your Benefit Newsletter.
FSA Benefit Changes
The carryover option, which allows up to $570 of unused funds to carry over and be used throughout the following plan year, is taking effect to replace the grace period in 2023. If you do not enroll in an FSA for 2023, you must have at least $120 remaining to take advantage of the carryover option; any amount under $120 will be forfeited if you are not also enrolling in an FSA for 2023. Any unused funds over $570 will be lost.
The annual contribution limit for FSAs is increasing to $2,850 for the 2023 plan year; the minimum election is remaining at $120. These contributions are allowed over and above any amount that may be carried forward. You must enroll during Open Enrollment for each year you wish to participate in this benefit.
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 will increase to $3,850 for individuals and $7,750 for families for 2023, 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.
CDHP plan deductibles are increasing to $1500 for individual coverage and $3,000 for families in 2023.
More Information and Resources
- HRS Open Enrollment Website: Browse additional information, links to make changes, and step-by-step instructions and support options.
- Percipio: Read materials from WSU, HCA and the benefit vendors, or register to attend webinars live or watch recordings on-demand. WSU presentations include:
- Open Enrollment and Benefit Overview
- Understanding Consumer Directed Health Plans (CDHPs) with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
- Understanding Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs)
- Benefits Fairs: See the schedule of in-person events or access the virtual fair at any time.
Please review the info sources provided before reaching out with questions. Contact HRS for assistance.
