Save the dates: Benefits open enrollment for 2019 medical plans to begin Monday

Open enrollment provides an annual opportunity for faculty and staff to review benefit offerings and make choices for the upcoming year. Open enrollment runs two weeks this year, beginning Monday (Oct. 22) and ending at 6 p.m. ET Nov. 2. Benefit selections made during this period go into effect on Jan. 1.

The same three medical plan options with Anthem -- Purdue Health Plan, Purdue Health Plan Plus HSA 1 and Purdue Health Plan Plus HSA 2 -- will be offered in 2019, and an enhanced version of the Healthy Boiler Wellness Plan returns for 2019. Changes to the three health plans for 2019 include:

* Purdue faculty and staff will see an increase in medical plan premiums in 2019. (See rate increases on the dedicated enrollment website under “What’s New for 2019, click here.”)

* Deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums increased by:
-- PPO: $500 single; $1,000 family.
-- HSA1: $250 single; $500 family.
-- HSA2 = $250 single; $500 family. The embedded individual out-of-pocket maximum increased to $7,900 and will apply only to the Purdue Health Plan HSA 2 family coverage.

* Limited Spousal Coverage Rule implemented. See the Limited Spousal Coverage Frequently Asked Questions for more details. 

* Fee at the Center for Healthy Living lowered from $40 to $25 for both HSA 1 and HSA 2 plans.

* Anthem’s Cost and Care Finder will replace Castlight.

* HSA Bank will become the administrator of Purdue's health savings and flexible spending accounts. 

Resources
Throughout the open enrollment two-week timeframe, employees will be offered several tools and resources to ease them through the process, including live presentations. This week, pre-enrollment presentations will be held at the following dates and times:

* Thursday (Oct. 18): 9-10 a.m., Stewart Center, Room 313.
* Friday (Oct. 19): 1:30-2:30 p.m., Lawson Computer Science Building, Room B151. 

Pre-enrollment tips:
As open enrollment approaches, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

* Employees are asked to actively enroll and encouraged to set aside time for this important task.

* All employees are also encouraged to acquire their BoilerKey now to help ensure open enrollment goes smoothly. BoilerKey will be required beginning Oct. 30 for system access, including the open enrollment portal. For information and instructions, visit www.purdue.edu/boilerkey.

* Remember to review HSA or FSA contributions -- take advantage of the pre-tax savings.

* Review beneficiaries. Open enrollment is the perfect time to review and update beneficiaries.

* Don’t stress. There will be open enrollment sessions, labs and additional resources to assist employees and help ensure they choose the plan that is best suited for them and their family.

Enrollment guides will be delivered to campus addresses beginning Monday (Oct. 22). Additional communications and resources -- including walk-in labs, presentations, videos and a dedicated enrollment website -- will follow.

Benefits are an important part of Purdue employees’ total compensation. Benefits staff members are committed to providing excellent customer service and resources -- during open enrollment and all year -- to help employees and their families best use these valuable programs. Please allow time for responses as customer service’s call volume increases significantly during open enrollment.