Now is the time to make your final Open Enrollment choices
November 14, 2016 •
Open Enrollment ends at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, so time is running out to review and update your medical and other benefits for 2017.
If you don’t take action, you could miss some important changes and opportunities:
Voluntary Disability Insurance
UC’s Voluntary Disability Insurance can help protect your income if you miss work because of a pregnancy, illness or injury — and this year’s Open Enrollment may be your best opportunity to enroll. After Open Enrollment, you may only enroll by submitting an Evidence of Insurability application (which includes a Statement of Health) to the insurance company — and you may not qualify.
Medical plans
All of UC’s medical plans will continue to be available in 2017, with a few significant changes. UC’s preferred provider organization (PPO) medical plans (Core, UC Care and UC Health Savings Plan, as well as UC High Option Supplement to Medicare, UC Medicare PPO and UC Medicare PPO without Prescription Drugs) will have new administrators next year for medical, behavioral health and prescription drug benefits. Kaiser Permanente and Health Net Blue & Gold have expanded networks that provide increased options for HMO members.
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
Remember that you must re-enroll in your flexible spending account (FSA) each year. A health or dependent care FSA allows you to pay for eligible expenses on a pretax basis, which can help you budget for necessary expenses and lower your tax liability.
Look for your confirmation message
As previously announced, UCOP employees make Open Enrollment changes online through UCPath this year. To make sure you’ve successfully completed the enrollment process, look for the “Submit Confirmation” message. (“Your benefit choices have been successfully submitted.”)
Questions?
Have a question about Open Enrollment? Visit UCPath and on the upper left hand side, click on “Ask UCPath Center” to submit an inquiry. You may also call the UCPath Center at 855‐982‐7284 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PST) Monday – Friday and speak with an associate.
