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Benefits Open Enrollment

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Benefits Open Enrollment is October 9-27, 2023

Open Enrollment is for App State permanent employees. The changes made during Open Enrollment become effective Jan. 1, 2024.

Now is the time to review and update your benefits coverage for the coming year. Permanent App State employees have until Oct. 29 to make changes to their health, dental, vision and other supplemental coverage for 2024, as well as to set contribution amounts for Day Care and Health Care Flexible Spending Accountss (FSAs).

What to Do During Open Enrollment

You may need to take action during Open Enrollment (Oct. 9-27, 2023) to ensure you have the benefits you need in 2024. 

1. Update Health Plan Option &  Make Tobacco Attestation

During Open Enrollment (Oct. 9-27, 2023), you can update your State Health Plan coverage and make your Tobacco Attestation via the eBenefits (Benefitfocus) platform. 

There are two health plan options:

Base PPO Plan (70/30)

  • ALL members will AUTOMATICALLY be moved to this plan.
  • $25/month employee-only premium (after you complete tobacco attestation).

Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20)

  • You MUST take action to enroll in this plan. If you don't opt in, your coverage will automatically revert to the Base PPO Plan (70/30). Any changes to your Health Plan election are made on the eBenefits platform. 
  • $50/month employee-only premium (after you complete tobacco attestation). 

 

Complete the Tobacco Attestation 

You MUST complete the Tobacco Attesttation if you want to reduce your premium under any State Health Plan. If you fail to take this action during Open Enrollment, you will not receive the $60 monthly wellness credit in 2024. 

Tobacco users can also get the monthly credit - and get help quitting. Click here for details. 

Click here for more Health Plan information and resources for quitting tobacco. 

2. Review NCFlex Benefits & Update if Needed

NCFlex Benefits include Dental, Vision, Accident,  Flexible Spending Accounts, Cancer and Specified Disease, Critical Illness and TRICARE Supplement coverage.

  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
    Day Care and Health Care FSAs require re-enrollment every year. If you want to participate in either of the FSAs, you must make an election on the UNC (Empyrean) platform during Open Enrollment.

Other supplemental coverage options do not require action to continue benefits into the next year. However, it's a good idea to log into the UNC (Empyrean) platform during Open Enrollment to confirm your coverage or make changes, if needed.  

  • Dental, Vision, Accident and TRICARE Supplement coverage through NCFlex 
    If you are currently enrolled in Dental, Vision, Accident and TRICARE Supplement coverage through NCFlex, your current elections will automatically roll over to the UNC (Empyrean) platform and remain in effect for 2024. 

  • UNC life insurance, UNC voluntary AD&D, UNC supplemental disability, cancer and specified disease, and critical illness
    Any elections you made through last year—UNC life insurance, UNC voluntary AD&D, UNC supplemental disability, cancer and specified disease, and critical illness—will remain in effect for 2024.

Where to Enroll/Make Changes

1. Between Oct. 9 and oct. 27, visit the UNC System Open Enrollment page. 

2. Look for the Appalachian State University button under both the eBenefits and Empyrean headings.

3. Log in using your App State username and password. NOTE: You will need your Duo fob or the Duo app to authenticate and login. 

  • Log into eBenefits for enrollment/changes for Health Plan and to complete the  tobacco attestation. 
  • Log into Empyrean (UNC) for enrollment/changes to NCFlex benefits:
    • Dental
    • Vision
    • Accident
    • Flexible Spending Accounts
    • UNC Life Insurance
    • UNC Voluntary AD&D
    • UNC Supplemental Disability
    • Cancer and Specified Disease
    • Critical Illness
    • TRICARE Supplement coverage

Need More Information?

Need more information or have questions? You've got options!

Drop-in Hours 

App State Benefits staff are available during scheduled drop-in hours and by appointment (virtual or in-person).

 drop-in hours table

 *Note: we cannot accomodate unscheduled drop-in inquiries at our office on University Hall Drive in Boone during Open Enrollment. Please make an appointment or use the drop-in hours above.* 


Hickory Campus 

HR's representative at the Hickory campus is available to answer questions and provide general information about Open Enrollment.

For more assistance, Hickory employees can make a virtual/Zoom appointment with a Benefits staff member (choose Open Enrollment > virtual). 

 

Assistance with Enrollment Platforms

eBenefits (Benefitfocus): During the Open Enrollment period of October 9-27, the Eligibility and Enrollment Support Center will have extended hours to help you with any enrollment questions you may have. Call 855‑859‑0966, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m., ET, and Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., ET.

UNC (Empyrean): Call the University of North Carolina Benefits Service Center at 833-862-1490, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., ET.

Make an Appointment

Make an appointment here. Choose to meet with an App State Benefits staff person either in-person or virtually for Open Enrollment.

 

Other Resources

You can also call the State Eligibility and Enrollment Support Center at 855-859-0966. Hours during Open Enrollment: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Important Reminders About Open Enrollment

  1. You will only use eBenefits (Benefitfocus) to make your 2024 elections for health coverage through the State Health Plan. You will use the UNC (Empyrean) platform to make all other 2024 benefit elections, including all NCFlex and UNC System benefits.
  2. If you are currently enrolled in Dental, Vision, Accident, and TRICARE Supplement coverage through NCFlex, your current elections will automatically roll over to the UNC (Empyrean) platform and remain in effect for 2024. Don’t forget to log into the UNC (Empyrean) platform during Open Enrollment to confirm your coverage converted correctly and make any desired changes.
  3. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) require re-enrollment every year, so your benefit election from last year will not roll over to the UNC (Empyrean) platform. If you want to participate in either of the FSAs, you must make an election on the UNC (Empyrean) platform during Open Enrollment.
  4. Any elections you made through the UNC (Empyrean) enrollment platform last year—UNC life insurance, UNC voluntary AD&D, UNC supplemental disability, cancer and specified disease, and critical illness—will remain in effect for 2024 unless you make a change during Open Enrollment.
  5. If you enrolled in the Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20) through the State Health Plan during 2023 and want to participate in that option in 2024, you must enroll for coverage on the eBenefits (Benefitfocus) platform during Open Enrollment.
  6. If you want to reduce your premium under any of the plans offered by the State Health Plan, you MUST complete your tobacco attestation on the eBenefits (Benefitfocus) platform by October 27, 2023. If you attest that you are a tobacco user and agree to visit a CVS MinuteClinic or Primary Care Provider to satisfy your credit, you must complete that visit by November 30, 2023.