Open enrollment for 2015 health benefits will take place this month through Friday, Nov. 14, as employees and their families reassess their health-care needs for the coming year. New benefit selections will be effective Jan. 1.
“The most important advice we can provide to an employee is to be an active participant in the open enrollment process,” Jovita Thomas-Williams, associate vice president for human resources and talent development, said. “Health-care needs can vary from year to year, and when you combine that with the changing health-care landscape, it’s critical for employees to educate themselves on their available coverage options and re-evaluate their choices.”
Similar to last year, open enrollment will be conducted online. Any required documentation such as spousal/domestic partner health-care eligibility affidavits, birth certificates and marriage certificates must be turned in to the HR Office.
Employees must complete the online open enrollment if they:
• Change benefits;
• Add, delete or change dependents;
• Have a spouse/domestic partner enrolled in Paramount ES or Frontpath;
• Have children older than the age of 19;
• Enroll in a medical care flexible spending account, a dependent care flexible spending account or a health savings account (if eligible).
As with last year, users will go to an open enrollment link on the myUT portal located on the University’s internal website. A series of prompts will lead each employee through the process. Employees must have their user names and passwords activated before they can enter the portal.
Details regarding each health-care plan will be on HR’s website beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1; this will include a short PowerPoint presentation on the benefit offerings. Computers will be available for employee access Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Human Resources and Talent Development Office in Academic Services Center Room 1000 on Scott Park Campus and also in the Facilities Support Building on Health Science Campus.
Benefit representatives also will be around at various times across all shifts and all campuses. A list of the dates and locations will be available on the website.
Employees with questions about the online enrollment are advised to email benefits@utoledo.edu. Individuals with more complex questions or who require personal one-on-one assistance to enroll can schedule an appointment with a benefit representative for assistance through this email address: benefits@utoledo.edu.
Although open enrollment ends at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14; employees are encouraged not to wait until the last minute.
