Don't miss out: Last weekend to enroll for 2016 benefits

With online enrollment, it's easy to make your 2016 benefit selections from anywhere with Internet access. This weekend marks the last weekend faculty and staff have to enroll -- enrollment ends at 6 p.m. ET Nov. 13. No changes will be accepted after that time.

Human Resources wants to remind employees to take advantage of the resources available, including open enrollment sessions available today and tomorrow.

* Nov. 5 (Th) -- Open enrollment walk-in lab, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Freehafer Hall, Room 1-5.

* Nov. 5 (Th) -- Open enrollment walk-in lab, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Stanley Coulter Hall, Room 179.

* Nov. 6 (F) -- Open enrollment walk-in lab, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Freehafer Hall, Room 1-5.

* Nov. 6 (F) -- Open enrollment walk-in lab, 12:30-6:30 p.m. Stanley Coulter Hall, Room 283.

The dedicated enrollment website includes in-depth information on all aspects of the enrollment process -- including what's new for 2016 -- as well as helpful medical and prescription information and a complete list of walk-in enrollment sessions.

To enroll, follow these steps:

* Go to the Purdue Employee Portal and click the EBenefits link.

* Enter your Purdue career account and password, and then follow the "Click here to begin 2016 enrollment" link. Note: If you click "Review Current Elections," you will only be reviewing your 2015 elections and cannot enroll in 2016 benefits from there. You must click the "Click here to begin 2016 enrollment" link, then select the blue "Start Your Enrollment Now" button to make your 2016 elections.

* You will be directed to the Truven Informed Enrollment tool to estimate your total costs under each of Purdue's 2016 medical plans. Once you finish, you will continue on to the enrollment process. Note: This tool does not enroll you or change your benefits. 

* Review your dependents for 2016. Reporting requirements under Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act make it necessary for you to provide the Social Security number of each dependent you cover on your medical plan. Note: You will need to provide proof that any new family members you add to medical coverage are your eligible dependents. EBenefits will provide information on how to do this.

* Certify tobacco-user status for yourself and your covered spouse/same-sex domestic partner: 1) Non-tobacco user (tobacco-free for at least 12 months); 2) Tobacco user; or 3) Tobacco user who has completed an approved cessation program between Sept. 1 and Nov. 13, 2015. If you're a tobacco user, the additional medical premium will apply. If you're covered on a Purdue medical plan and don't certify your tobacco-user status, you'll be considered a tobacco user and will be charged the $500 additional premium. The same applies to your covered spouse/SSDP. The maximum additional premium for you and your spouse/SSDP would be $1,000. Note: This survey is located on the page before the medical plan screen. Additional premium for tobacco-user status is applied with the annual medical insurance premium.

* Certify tobacco-user status a second time. You'll be asked to provide a separate tobacco-user certification for Additional Term Life Insurance. Slightly different rules apply to life insurance and medical insurance in regard to tobacco use. The life insurance program does not offer a waiver for completing an approved tobacco cessation program.

* Review each benefit. You will find benefit information, pricing, links to vendor websites and more.

* Choose your 2016 benefits.

* Review the summary at the end of the enrollment steps. This is your confirmation of benefits. Reviewing this section helps eliminate coverage issues after enrollment.

* Be sure to initial and submit your changes to make them final. Note: EBenefits will instantly provide you with a confirmation statement when you complete your enrollment. Changes may be made and resubmitted up to the open enrollment deadline (6 p.m. EST Nov. 13). Employees are encouraged to print and/or save the confirmation for their records.

Contact Human Resources at 49-42222, hr@purdue.edu or www.purdue.edu/HRHelp for additional assistance.

Faculty and staff at Calumet, Fort Wayne and North Central campuses may contact their campus HR office for assistance.