Benefits open enrollment for 2022 medical plans begins next week

Open enrollment provides an annual opportunity for faculty and staff to review benefit offerings and make choices for the upcoming year. Open enrollment begins Oct. 26 (Tuesday of next week) and ends at 6 p.m. ET Nov. 9. All employees are asked to actively review and enroll via Benefitfocus in order to ensure they have the benefits coverage in 2022 they want. 

Except for health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs), current benefits will roll forward into 2022, unless employees log into Benefitfocus and make new selections. Those who wish to have an HSA, HRA or FSA must log into Benefitfocus and elect them for 2022.

Note: The Tobacco Survey and Working Spouse Certification must be completed, as answers could impact premiums.

If employees do not complete the Tobacco Survey and Working Spouse Certification, they will incur the tobacco-user additional premium (for both themselves and their spouse, if covered) and the working spouse premium (for their spouse, if covered).

Additionally, employees are encouraged to double check which dependents they are covering on each benefit. Employees must select the green bubble (with dependent’s name) for each benefit they would like their dependent to have coverage. Once enrollment is complete, employees should review the summary to ensure their dependents are listed and have benefits coverage as intended.

2022 health plans

The same three consumer-driven health plan (CDHP) options with Anthem – Premier CDHP, Standard CDHP and Limited CDHP – will be offered in 2022 with no increase in premiums. All three plans have free preventive care with an in-network provider, free generic preventive medications, $10-or-less generic nonpreventive prescriptions after deductibles are met and more. The following videos provide information to help guide employees in making a plan choice: 

• The “Medical Plan Overview” video takes a look at all three consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) – Premier CDHP, Standard CDHP and Limited CHDP – and points out similarities and comparisons among the plans.
• The “Choosing the Right Medical Plan” video walks viewers through the considerations that should be taken when choosing a medical plan and provides information to help employees understand the full cost of the medical plan – including the premium, medical costs and out-of-pocket maximum costs under each of the three CDHP plans available for 2022.

What to expect in 2022

• No premium increases to the three CDHPs mentioned above.
• Current benefits will roll forward into 2022, unless employee logs into Benefitfocus and makes new selections. Note: The Tobacco Survey and Working Spouse Certification must be completed as answers could impact premiums.* Additionally, those who wish to have an HSA, HRA or FSA must log into Benefitfocus and elect them for 2022.
• New dental provider – Delta Dental. The plans and coverage remain the same, but the premiums are lower.
• New features to the vision plan – VSP vision coverage now includes the VSP Primary EyeCare Plan, which provides supplemental medical eye care services for the detection, treatment and management of ocular and visual conditions. Additionally, standard progressive lenses and UV coating are now covered at 100 percent at in-network providers.

More details on all the changes can be reviewed on the Open Enrollment What’s New webpage.

Returning for 2022

• The Healthy Boiler Program wellness incentives – return for the fifth year with a new incentive structure.
• Anthem Health Guides –simplify the health care experience and add a more personalized touch to help employees navigate the many resources available.
• HealthSync – Tier 1 provider network offering patient-focused care and lower costs.
• Rx Savings Solutions – works in conjunction with employees’ prescription coverage to provide personalized prescription guidance for all members of an employee’s health plan.
• Working Spouse Premium – allows employees the option of covering working spouses on Purdue’s medical plans. The rate tiers will remain in place for working spouses who have access to medical coverage through their employer (where the employer covers at least 50 percent of the employee-only premium) but choose not to enroll in it.
• Tobacco-User Additional Premium – remains at $1,000 per employee and covered spouse, per plan year.

Resources

Via the dedicated open enrollment 2022 website, employees have access to a variety of helpful resources and more, including:

• An open enrollment guide is available for employees at all campuses (including a version in Spanish, which will be available soon). The online guide includes details about what is changing, how to enroll and resources available.
• The recorded enrollment presentation provides a detailed overview of information pertinent to benefits open enrollment for 2022 in an interactive format. For employees who were unable to attend a virtual presentation or those who would like a quick review, the recorded PowerPoint presentation highlights key enrollment information, including plans being offered, how CDHPs work, what’s new for 2022, how to enroll and more. Viewers can pause or rewind at any time to review specific information.
• Working Spouse Guide: Employees can follow the guide to see how and if the premium applies to their family as well as if a Working Spouse Premium Waiver Form is required.
• Working Spouse Premium Waiver Form: Employees who meet the waiver criteria for covering a working spouse must fill out and upload this form into Benefitfocus by Dec. 1, 2021.
• How to Upload Working Spouse Premium Waiver Form: These detailed instructions provide step-by-step instructions on how to upload the form into Benefitfocus.
• Open enrollment labs are available Oct. 28 through Nov. 9 by appointment only. Labs are intended for individuals who need assistance navigating the enrollment platform or do not have access to a computer or internet. Note:Labs led by Spanish-speaking translators will be held on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27. Scheduling information is available on the Resources

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

1. Set aside time to actively enroll. Be sure to complete enrollment by 6 p.m. ET Nov. 9.
2. Download the Benefitplace mobile app, which can be used to complete enrollment elections if preferred.
3. Remember to review HSA or FSA contributions – take advantage of the pre-tax savings.
4. Review beneficiaries – open enrollment is the perfect time to review and update beneficiaries.
5. Don’t stress – again, there is information already available to help employees and help ensure that the plan best suited for them and their family (if applicable) is chosen.

Questions:

Employees should direct questions to Human Resources – Benefits at their respective campus.

• West Lafayette campus: Email hr@purdue.eduor via secure email at HR Help or call 765-494-2222 or toll-free at 877-725-0222.
• Fort Wayne campus: Email: hr@pfw.eduor call 260-481-6840
• PNW Westville and Hammond campuses: Email: hr@pnw.eduor call 219-989-2251

Allow time for responses as customer service’s call volume increases significantly during open enrollment.