UF Fall 2015 Open Enrollment Period and Benefits Fair

Paula Varnes Fussell, Vice President for Human Resource Services

This year’s benefits Open Enrollment period runs October 19 through November 6. The deadline to enroll or make changes is Friday, November 6, 2015, at 6 p.m. EST. During Open Enrollment, employees may choose new elections and/or make changes to all State of Florida, UFSelect and GatorCare plans for which they are eligible.

Employees are encouraged to begin making any needed changes early during the Open

Enrollment period in case assistance is required.  All benefit elections must be completed online using the People First website (for state plans) at https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/ or the myUFL portal (UFSelect & GatorCare plans) at https://my.ufl.edu. Changes from a state plan to a UF plan or vice-versa will require two separate transactions. Prior to finalizing elections, plans should be carefully reviewed to avoid duplicate coverage.  For example, participation in both a state health plan and a GatorCare health plan simultaneously is not permitted. All changes made during Open Enrollment will take effect January 1, 2016.

To learn more about available benefits, employees should plan to attend the annual Benefits Fair scheduled for Wednesday, October 28, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Touchdown Terrace in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

As part of the Affordable Care Act, the state will continue to offer OPS/temporary employees the opportunity to enroll in the state’s plans, provided certain eligibility requirements are met.  Individuals determined eligible should receive a packet prior to Open Enrollment.  This year, the state will begin to consider time worked in all positions, current and previous, when evaluating eligibility. A prior job separation and subsequent rehire, regardless of the type of appointment (TEAMS, Faculty, USPS or OPS), could impact an employee’s eligibility to participate in state plans.

Other notable changes for the 2016 plan year include the following:

• OPS/other temporary employees measured as a part of the Open Enrollment measurement period (10/3/14 to 10/2/15) who average 30 hours per week will be eligible to enroll in state plans, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act.
• Employees enrolled in basic life insurance may cover their legal spouse and eligible children under the new State of Florida dependent spouse and child life insurance.
• Employee rates for basic and optional life insurance are decreasing for 2016. More information, including the new premium rates, can be found online here: http://hr.ufl.edu/benefits/making-changes/open-enrollment/#state

All plan changes or additions must be completed by 6 p.m. EST on November 6.

Employees may visit http://hr.ufl.edu/benefits/making-changes/open-enrollment/ for additional information. For general questions, employees may also contact University Benefits at benefits@ufl.edu or (352) 392-2477.