Office of Human Resources

Benefits Open Enrollment

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Open Enrollment has been extended through 11/1/2024*

*For the members located in the North Carolina counties listed below, the Plan will be extending Open Enrollment by one week.  This means impacted members will have until Nov. 1, 2024, to complete their enrollment. 

Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Yadkin, Yancey, Watauga, and Wilkes.

There are areas outside of North Carolina that are also included in the Helene exception. These areas are designated by the FEMA Disaster Designation and subscriber residential address as well.

What's New for 2025

Good news for 2025: Your health plan premiums will remain the same as 2024!

Action Needed:  Primary Care Provider (PCP) Designation

As result of the State Health Plan transitioning to Aetna on January 1, 2025, you will need to log in to eBenefits (Benefitfocus) to designate your Primary Care Provider under Aetna during Open Enrollment to continue to enjoy lower copays when visiting that provider in 2025.

70/30 Plan and 80/20 Plan

No significant changes to health plan design even with the transition to Aetna. Review the plan summaries on www.shpnc.org for the most up-to-date plan details.

NCFlex

  • Dental Plans - Premiums are increasing.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) - The Health Care FSA maximum annual contribution is increasing to $3,200.

What to Do During Open Enrollment

You will need to take action during Open Enrollment to ensure you have the benefits you need in 2025.

eBenefits (Benefitfocus)

NEW for 2025: You will need to log in to designate your Primary Care Provider under Aetna during Open Enrollment.

  • If you enrolled in the Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20) through the State Health Plan during 2024 and want to participate in that option in 2025, you must enroll for coverage during Open Enrollment.
  • If you want to reduce your premium under any of the plans offered by the State Health Plan, you MUST complete your tobacco attestation. If you fail to take action during Open Enrollment, you will not receive the $60 monthly wellness credit in 2025.

UNC Empyrean (COMPASS)

  • You will continue to go here to enroll in/make changes for all benefits except health.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) require re-enrollment every year, so your benefit election from last year will not roll over for 2025. If you want to participate in either of the FSAs, you must make an election during Open Enrollment. Keep in mind:
    • The 2025 Health Care FSA maximum annual contribution limit has increased to $3,200.
    • The 2025 Dependent Day Care FSA maximum annual contribution limit remains unchanged at $5,000.
  • All other elections made through this platform will remain in effect for 2025 unless you make a change during Open Enrollment.

Where to Enroll/Make Changes

1. Between Sept. 30 and Nov. 1, 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!

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.

Drop-in Hours 

App State Benefits representatives are available for drop-in appointments  on the following days:

  • Monday, Oct. 14 through Friday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Room 222, Wiseman’s Lounge, Plemmons Student Union

  • Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m.–4 p.m. at the Human Resources building, located at 330 University Hall Drive in Boone,

Note: Human Resources cannot accommodate unscheduled drop-in inquiries during Open Enrollment. Please make an appointment or visit during the drop-in hours listed above.


Hickory Campus 

For more assistance, Hickory employees can also 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 September 30 - November 1, 2024, the Eligibility and Enrollment Support Center will have extended hours. Call 8558590966, 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 8338621490, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., ET.

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 2025 elections for health coverage through the State Health Plan. You will use the UNC (Empyrean) platform to make all other 2025 benefit elections, including all NCFlex and UNC System benefits.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 2025 unless you make a change during Open Enrollment.
  4. If you enrolled in the Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20) through the State Health Plan during 2024 and want to participate in that option in 2025, you must enroll for coverage on the eBenefits (Benefitfocus) platform during Open Enrollment.
  5. 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 November 1, 2024. 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, 2024.