Open enrollment for 2014 health benefits enters its final days this week.
The window for eligible employees to enroll closes at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.
Denise Shordt, senior benefits specialist in Human Resources and Talent Development, said 3,044 of 4,942 employees eligible for health-care benefits had enrolled by last week.
“There are always some who are still weighing their options late in the process, but waiting until the last minute isn’t a good idea,” she noted. “Our offices close at 5 p.m. on Oct. 31. If you register after that, we won’t be available to assist you if needed.”
Following a procedure that has been successful for the past few years, enrollment is conducted entirely online. Only required documentation, such as spousal/domestic partner health-care eligibility affidavits, birth certificates and marriage certificates, will be accepted in hard-copy form.
Shordt said all benefit-eligible employees must complete the online open enrollment process, even if their options are unchanged from 2013 or they intend to waive the option to enroll. It’s important to complete the process by Oct. 31 because:
• The IRS does not allow Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts to automatically roll over year after year. If employees wish to elect these benefits for 2014, they must complete online open enrollment.
• Employees must meet IRS eligibility requirements in order to have Health Savings Accounts. For an employee to be eligible to receive The University of Toledo contribution to the Health Savings Account in 2014, as well as contribute to the account on a pretax basis, there are three questions that must be answered through the online open enrollment process.
• The University has eligibility requirements that must be updated annually for spouses and dependents older than 19 years. These must be completed during open enrollment.
As with last year, users go to an open enrollment link on the myUT portal. A series of prompts leads each employee through the process. Employees must have their user names and passwords activated before they can enter the portal.
Shordt said plans did not change significantly. A few differences from last year include:
• Dependents between the ages of 19 and 26 are no longer required to enroll in their own employer-sponsored health-care coverage. If eligible, they can enroll in UT’s health care as their primary coverage.
• Annual limits to Health Savings Accounts have been changed by the Internal Revenue Service to $3,300 for single plans and $6,550 for family plans.
Details are available at utoledo.edu/depts/hr through Oct. 31.
Computers are available for employee access Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in HR offices on Health Science Campus (Facilities Support Building) and the department’s new location in suite 1000 of the Academic Services Center on Scott Park Campus.
Employees who require assistance with online enrollment are encouraged to email benefits@utoledo.edu.
New benefits selections will be effective Jan. 1.
