Is your medical option right for you?

While your health care options are not changing for 2021, you are encouraged to review your choices so you can make an informed decision and maximize your benefits. During Annual Enrollment for 2021 benefits, Oct. 14 to Oct. 30, you will continue to choose from the following medical plans:

• CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield PPO Plan
• EHP Classic Point-of-Service Plan
• CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield High-Deductible Health Plan
• Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization

In addition, the BlueChoice HMO continues to be available to current participants.

If you choose to waive medical coverage, 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.

Take another look at the HDHP

The high-deductible health plan was introduced last year to provide you with more choice about how you spend your health care dollars. While the HDHP works much like a traditional medical plan, the ability to participate in a health savings account makes it unique. If you choose the HDHP, you are eligible to participate in a special tax-advantaged HSA that allows you to set aside funds on a before-tax basis to help fund your out-of-pocket costs.

The HSA offers several advantages:

• JHU contributions. If you earn $60,000 a year or less, JHU will make a contribution to your HSA to help offset the higher deductible. The amount of the annual contribution will depend on your pay band. If you earn $40K or less, the contribution is $500 single or $1,000 family; if $40,001 to $60K, $250 single or $500 family. The JHU contribution will be fully funded in January 2021, following Annual Enrollment. If you are newly eligible for coverage and elect the HDHP after Annual Enrollment, the JHU contribution will be prorated.

• You can contribute pre-tax dollars. In addition, you can contribute to your HSA on a pre-tax basis: In 2021, up to $3,600 per individual and up to $7,200 per family (including the JHU contribution). You can adjust your contribution amount anytime throughout the year.

• The HSA is triple-tax-advantaged. Contributions to the account are tax-free. Funds, and any applicable dividends or interest, accumulate tax-free. Distributions used for qualified expenses are tax-free. Be sure to review your options and consider whether the HDHP might be right for you this year.

Before you enroll, ask ALEX

It's important for you to understand your benefits so you can make the right choices for yourself and your family. ALEX, an interactive decision support tool, acts as a virtual benefits counselor to help you learn more about your JHU benefits options so you can choose what's best for you. ALEX is easy to use—just click the ALEX link and log in to learn more about your medical options and watch informational videos. Then be sure to visit ALEX again in October for help selecting the best plan for you. ALEX will ask you a few short questions about your family status and health care usage, calculate your potential out-of-pocket costs under each plan, and make recommendations to help you choose a medical plan option. All your responses are completely confidential.