Open Enrollment Begins October 10
The process for enrolling in benefits is different this year because we have two enrollment platforms. Be sure to take time to not only review your options, but also where you need to go to enroll/make changes to them.
The upcoming enrollment period is October 10 to October 28, 2022. Your new elections will go into effect January 1, 2023.
Good news for 2023: Your health plan premiums will remain the same as 2022!
What’s New for 2023 | |
Two enrollment platforms | There are now two enrollment platforms: eBenefits (Benefitfocus) and UNC (Empyrean). See WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND DO below for details on which platform(s) to use when enrolling. |
70/30 Plan and 80/20 Plan | The State Health Plan is changing the names of the 70/30 and 80/20 Plans.
No significant changes to health plan design. Review the plan summaries on www.shpnc.org for the most up-to-date plan details. |
Consolidating life insurance and AD&D plans under a single UNC System Office policy |
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Click here for detailed information about
2023 benefit options.
NCFlex Changes | |
Dental Plan | Premiums are increasing. |
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) | The Health Care FSA maximum annual contribution is increasing to $2,850. |
Life Insurance and AD&D coverage | As noted above, any NCFlex Life Insurance and/or AD&D coverage (Core and/or Voluntary) you currently have will be mapped to the UNC plan. |
Cancer and Specified Disease Plan |
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New vendor for Critical Illness Plan |
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Accident Plan |
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LEARN MORE
Click here for more Open Enrollment information. You can also visit www.shpnc.org for details about your health benefits and www.ncflex.org for details about your NCFlex benefits.
Questions about enrolling on the eBenefits (Benefitfocus) platform?
During the Open Enrollment period of October 10-28, the Eligibility and Enrollment Support Center will have extended hours to help you with any enrollment questions you may have. Call 855-859-0966 during the hours listed below:
- Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-10 p.m., ET
- Saturday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., ET
Questions about enrolling on the UNC (Empyrean) platform?
Call the Empyrean University Benefits Service Center at 833-862-1490 during the hours listed below:
- Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., ET
State Health Plan Webinars
Participate in Webinars hosted by the North Carolina State Health Plan to learn more about health insurance benefits. Click on the links below to register for a webinar.
WEBINAR DATES | WEBINAR TIMES |
Oct. 5 | |
Oct. 6 | |
Oct. 11 | |
Oct. 13 | |
Oct. 18 | |
Oct. 20 | |
Oct. 25 |
MEET WITH A CAMPUS BENEFIT REPRESENTATIVE
ASU benefit representatives will be in the Plemmons Student Union throughout the Annual Enrollment period. See information below for dates and times that representatives will be available. Additionally, employees may visit the Human Resource Office located at 330 University Hall Drive, Boone, NC 28607
Monday-Friday between 8:00 – 5:00 for assistance during the Annual Enrollment period or call 828-262-3187.
Date | Time | Location |
10/11/2022 | 10:00 - 12:00 | 136 Snake Mountain PSU |
10/12/2022 | 2:00 - 4:00 | 165 Elk Knob PSU |
10/19/2022 | 10:00 - 12:00 | 136 Snake Mountain PSU |
10/20/2022 | 2:00 - 4:00 | 165 Elk Knob PSU |
10/24/2022 | 10:00 - 12:00 | 211 Nolichucky PSU |
10/26/2022 | 10:00 - 4:00 | 211 Nolichucky PSU |
10/27/2022 | 10:00 - 4:00 | 136 Snake Mountain PSU |
10/28/2022 | 9:00 - 2:00 | Health Fair Grandfather Mtn. Ballroom PSU |
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND DO
As you consider your needs for the coming year and decide which benefits to elect, remember the following:
1. There are now two enrollment platforms. The one you use depends on which benefit you are enrolling in. You can link to both of the enrollment platforms for your institution here.
eBenefits (Benefitfocus)You will need to log in to this platform to enroll/make changes to your elections for:
Once you log in to the site, select “Get Started” on the home page and follow the prompts. After you make your choices, and they are displayed for you to review and print, you must scroll down to the bottom and click “Save Changes” or your choices will not be recorded. |
| UNC (Empyrean)You will go here to enroll in/make changes to your elections for:
Once you log in to the site, you will see a pending event (i.e., open enrollment). Click “Continue” and follow the prompts. After you make your enrollment choices, and they are displayed for you to review, you must scroll down and click “Submit My Elections.” One last pop-up message will appear and you must click “Accept” or your choices will not be recorded. |
2. If you are enrolled for health coverage under the State Health Plan, you and your eligible dependents will be automatically enrolled in the Base PPO Plan (70/30) for 2023. If you want to enroll in the Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20), you must actively enroll during Open Enrollment.
3. If you want to reduce your premium under any of the plans offered by the State Health Plan, you MUST complete your tobacco attestation by October 28, 2022. If you fail to take action during Open Enrollment, your monthly premiums will be considerably higher in 2023. If you attest that you are a tobacco user and agree to visit a CVS MinuteClinic or your Primary Care Provider to satisfy your credit, you must complete that visit by November 30, 2022.
4. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) require re-enrollment every year, so if you want to participate in either of the FSAs, you must make your election during Open Enrollment:
- The 2023 Health Care FSA maximum annual contribution limit is $2,850.
- The 2023 Dependent Day Care FSA maximum annual contribution limit is $5,000.
5. You cannot be covered as an employee and a dependent under the State Health Plan and NCFlex plans. Additionally, when you and your spouse are covered as employees, only one of you may cover your eligible dependent child(ren).
6. If you aren’t currently enrolled in vision coverage, you can enroll in the Core Vision Plan at no cost. This coverage provides a wellness exam for $20, plus discounts on materials.
7. If you are currently enrolled in NCFlex Life Insurance and/or AD&D coverage, your current coverage will be mapped to the UNC plan. The UNC plan uses a salary multiplier formula, which is different than the NCFlex plan, so your coverage may be rounded up when it is mapped over to the UNC plan. Be sure to review your coverage to see if you want to make any changes to your mapped coverage. Note: If you have coverage for your child(ren), it will be mapped to $10,000, regardless of your current election since that is the only option offered under the UNC Life Insurance plan.
8. If you’re currently enrolled in the Life Insurance, AD&D (Core and/or Voluntary), Cancer and Specified Disease, and/or Critical Illness plans, you will need to log in to the UNC (Empyrean) platform and designate your beneficiary(ies). Your current beneficiary(ies) will NOT be transferred over to the UNC (Empyrean) platform.
9. While you no longer need to enroll to receive the free $10,000 of UNC Core AD&D Insurance coverage, you will need to log in to the UNC (Empyrean) platform to designate your beneficiary(ies).
10. You have a new Accident Plan option to consider. Be sure to review both coverage options to determine which one best fits your needs.
IF YOU DON’T ENROLL BY OCTOBER 28Health BenefitsIf you are currently enrolled for coverage under the State Health Plan, you and any currently covered dependents will be automatically enrolled in the Base PPO Plan (70/30). To reduce your premium by $60 (via the tobacco attestation) or to enroll in the Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20), you must take action during Open Enrollment.
NCFlex BenefitsYou’ll have the same coverage as 2022 with a few important exceptions:
AD&D coverage at no cost to you. |
Now’s a Good Time to Think About Retirement Benefits
October is National Retirement Security Month. No matter how far off retirement may seem, it’s important to reflect on your participation in the UNC retirement program and whether you are on target to reach your financial goals. Take advantage of these UNC resources:
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Open Enrollment is October 10–28, 2022. Be sure to enroll to get the coverage you need for 2023! |