It's almost time to enroll for 2019 benefits

Soon you'll have the opportunity to make changes to your health and life benefits for 2019. The Annual Enrollment dates are Oct. 19 through Nov. 7, 2018. You're encouraged to take the time to review your current coverage and take advantage of the enrollment resources available to help you make smart benefit choices this year.

As you review your current benefits coverage and consider your 2019 options, the Benefits Office recommends that you think about the following:

• Medical plan premiums for 2019. In line with previous years, there will be increases to your medical plan premiums for 2019.
• Medical waivers. If you are waiving medical coverage and have completed a medical waiver form, you will be eligible for the annual waiver credit of $800 (if your salary is $40,000 or less) or $500 (if your salary is more than $40,000). You need to supply a new form only if you are waiving coverage for the first time.
• Enhanced dental plan options through Delta Dental. For dental coverage, the university will replace the Cigna and CareFirst dental plans with two new options administered by Delta Dental. These new plans allow you the ability to choose the dental plan that best fits your needs, including optional orthodontia benefits. The UnitedConcordia PLUS DHMO will remain for current participants only through Dec. 31, 2019, at the new plan rates; coverage through this plan will terminate for the 2020 plan year.
• Enriched vision plan option through EyeMed. A new and enhanced vision plan administered by EyeMed will replace the UnitedHealthcare vision plan. Vision coverage will now be available as a core benefit offering, which will allow you to enroll in the plan through myChoices when the site opens on Oct. 19 and to pay for coverage with the convenience of pretax payroll deductions. The pretax feature is new for 2019.

Expanded supplemental life and AD&D coverage

For 2019, the university will broaden its supplemental life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance offering through Securian, allowing you more opportunities to ensure your financial security.

• You may now purchase additional coverage in full salary multiples from one to eight times your annual base salary, to a maximum benefit of $3,000,000 (basic and supplemental combined).
• The guaranteed issue amount (the amount you are eligible for without having to provide EOI—evidence of insurability, or proof of good health)—is four times your annual base salary, not to exceed $500,000.
• During Annual Enrollment, you may move up one coverage level without providing EOI—again, provided the new total coverage amount doesn't exceed four times your annual base salary or $500,000.
• If you make no changes to your supplemental life and or accidental death and dismemberment coverage, you may automatically be bumped to the next coverage level to align with the university's new benefit structure, depending on the coverage level you're currently enrolled in. Any increase would be automatic and not require EOI. Following are some examples of coverage resulting from no action and what action can be taken without providing EOI.

Health care FSA contribution increases

The health care FSA—flexible spending account—maximum employee contribution will increase to $2,650 for 2019. As a reminder, you must re-enroll in the health care FSA and the dependent care FSA each year. Up to $500 of unused health care FSA funds will roll over into the next plan year.

Reminder: Short-term disability coverage

There are no changes to short-term disability coverage for 2019. As a reminder, Annual Enrollment is your opportunity to enroll in the short-term disability plan, which provides a benefit of 60 percent of your weekly base salary up to $2,500. This benefit was increased last year to provide greater coverage. Consider enrolling in this benefit to help protect your income if you need to be out of work due to an unforeseen illness or injury.

Even if you're not planning to make changes to your benefits this year, now is a great time to learn about the available resources and tools so that you can make smart benefit choices for your 2019 JHU benefits. Visit myChoices in October to learn more.