During the Annual Open Enrollment period in November, employees are strongly encouraged to review their current benefit plan elections and upcoming changes for 2024, including significantly increased premiums for some healthcare plans.
All plan changes are made through Workday from Nov. 1–30, with a Jan. 1, 2024 effective date.
Human Resources Services has prepared an Open Enrollment website with detailed information for WSU benefit-eligible faculty and staff about benefits, coverage changes and rates for 2024. The Health Care Authority also holds Benefits Fairs state-wide beginning Nov. 1, which are helpful opportunities to speak with plan representatives and attend live presentations from the plan vendors. Other useful sites to visit for more information include Percipio, and the Health Care Authority Open Enrollment website.
WSU Benefits is offering Open Enrollment presentations via Zoom, covering topics such as the Consumer Directed Health Plans and Health Savings Accounts, as well as the Flexible Spending Arrangements. The Open Enrollment presentations will provide plan comparison information to help assist employees in determining if they wish to make a plan change in 2024. The full schedule of presentations and Zoom login information can be found under the presentations section of HRS’ Open Enrollment website. Recordings of past presentations are posted as they become available.
In addition to increases in some healthcare premiums, other changes coming in 2024 include elimination of the Kaiser WA First-Fill prescription benefit, changes in the CDHP deductibles, hearing aid benefit changes, higher maximum contribution limits to health savings accounts and flexible spending arrangements, and eligible represented bargaining unit employees earning less than $60,000 (previously $50,004) being eligible for a $250 medical FSA contribution.
November is the one month each year employees can freely make changes to their current medical or dental plans, add or remove dependents from coverage, enroll in a flexible spending arrangement and dependent care assistance plan for the coming year, or re-attest to the spousal surcharge questionnaire. Outside of the open enrollment window, employees would have to experience a qualifying life event, such as the birth of a child, change in marital status, or losing/gaining other employer-provided coverage to alter their healthcare plans.
Employees can verify their current healthcare plans by logging into Workday. After selecting the Benefits & Pay application, users need to expand the Benefits section on the left hand side of the site and click Benefit Elections. Those wishing to continue with their current plans can submit the Open Enrollment event to clear it from their inbox as soon as it becomes available on Nov. 1.
Employees with questions about Open Enrollment are asked to contact HRS for assistance.
