Human Resources reminds of effects of not actively enrolling for 2017; update on dental network recruiting coming Wednesday

Human Resources will provide a detailed update on Wednesday (Nov. 2) regarding the recruiting progress for the Anthem Dental Complete Network. Please watch Purdue Today for more information.

Employees are also reminded that failure to actively enroll by 6 p.m. EST Nov. 11 will affect their benefit coverage in 2017. The following explains how employees' benefits will be affected if they don't enroll for 2017. Benefits not mentioned below will continue unchanged for 2017.

Benefits same as in 2016 if enrollment is not completed

* Employees will have the same medical plan in 2017 as they’ve had for 2016. If they’re currently opted out of Purdue medical coverage, they will be opted out again for 2017.

* If they’re in the Purdue Health Plan Plus HSA 1 or the Purdue Health Plan Plus HSA 2 with an active health savings account (HSA), they’ll receive the appropriate University contribution to their HSA, but no contributions of their own will be deducted. They can always begin future HSA contributions during 2017 by making a change through EBenefits.

* Any family members they’re covering on their medical plan in 2016 will continue to be covered in 2017, if they still meet eligibility requirements.

* They will have no contributions to a flexible spending account (FSA) (including health care and dependent day care FSAs).

Benefits different from 2016 if enrollment is not completed

* The tobacco certification status of those -- employee and/or spouses -- with 2016 tobacco premium waivers will default to tobacco user status, triggering a $500 per person additional annual tobacco-user premium. To avoid that premium, they will have to show proof of completing an approved tobacco cessation program between Sept. 1 and Nov. 11, 2016. (Non-enrollers currently without a waiver, and paying the premium, will continue in that status.)

* Everyone must make a new dental plan election for 2017. An employee who doesn't will have no dental coverage in 2017, not even preventive dental.

As a reminder, employees who complete their 2017 elections by midnight EST Friday (Nov. 4) will be entered to win a Fitbit Flex, courtesy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Purdue’s medical plan administrator.

Employees must enroll by 6 p.m. EST Nov. 11.

Benefits information and enrollment assistance, including the schedule of live presentations and labs, are available through a dedicated open enrollment website or via Human Resources at 49-42222, hr@purdue.edu and HRHelp (secure email path).

Faculty and staff at the Fort Wayne and Purdue Northwest campuses may contact their campus HR office for assistance.