Faculty, and staff and retirees may change their benefits for 2017 during this year’s Open Enrollment period, which began Monday and runs through Nov. 4.
Eligible individuals may change their medical, dental, vision and legal plans. Faculty and staff may also enroll in a Flexible Spending Account.
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There are no major benefit changes for 2017. No action is required to keep current benefits, with one exception. IRS rules do not allow FSA enrollments to continue across calendar years. Faculty and staff will need to re-enroll to participate in an FSA for 2017.
Now is the time for faculty and staff to review their dependent coverage in anticipation of life events coming up in the next year.
For example, a young child who may go to the dentist for the first time in 2017 would need to be added to the employee’s dental plan during Open Enrollment. Employees planning to retire in 2017 should update their dependents during this year’s Open Enrollment. Retirees cannot add new dependents to their coverage.
Because eligible faculty and staff can enroll in or change their life insurance, long-term disability or retirement savings plans at any time, these benefits are not included in the annual Open Enrollment period.
Faculty and staff may use Wolverine Access self-service to make benefits changes. Retirees may use Wolverine Access or complete and send in the form included in their Open Enrollment books that the Benefits Office mailed to home addresses in early October.
The deadline to complete online enrollment or submit forms is 5 p.m. Nov. 4. Changes and new rates take effect Jan. 1.
For answers to questions about benefits or Open Enrollment, call the Shared Services Center at 734-615-2000 (Ann Arbor area) or 866-647-7657 (toll free) Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
