Open Enrollment Oct. 18-29: First year for Web enrollment

By early October, faculty and staff will begin receiving 2004 Open Enrollment workbooks through campus mail. The books will contain detailed information about the benefit plans. Enrollment worksheets will follow closely through U.S. mail to home addresses.

This year, however, employees will choose between traditional paper enrollment using the worksheets, and Web enrollment with eBenefits on Wolverine Access. No matter which method is chosen, benefit elections must be made between Oct. 18 and 29.

During Open Enrollment, employees are encouraged to compare the features and 2005 premium rate of their current medical plan to all of the available plans and rates to be sure they select the most economical option that fully meets their needs.

Although an annual review of plan choice and premium rates is always recommended, the University's new rate structure, in effect beginning Jan. 1, 2005, makes this year particularly important. Additionally, the University has added two new preferred provider organizations (PPOs) to the available medical plan options for 2005, giving U-M employees more choice of plans than ever before. Enrollment patterns during the coming year will be followed closely to help the University make decisions about the best long-term mix of plans beyond 2005.

The Benefits Office reminds employees that flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for health care or dependent care expenses require annual enrollment. Employees who will keep the same benefits elections for 2005, and do not want to enroll in an FSA, do not need to make any elections—Web or paper. Current benefit elections will continue in 2005 at the new premium rates published in the Open Enrollment workbook.

For more Open Enrollment information:

• Visit the Benefits Office Web site at http://www.umich.edu/~benefits/events/oe/;

• Call the Human Resources AnswerLine at (734) 647-2375. Select category 6150 to access the Benefits AnswerLine and receive information via recorded audio or by fax;

• Send e-mail to Benefits Office staff at benefits.office@umich.edu;

• Consult with HR/Payroll Service Center staff at 5-2000 (campus), (734) 615-2000 (local off-campus) or (866) 647-7657 (toll-free for off-campus, long-distance).

For more FSA information, visit http://www.umich.edu/~benefits/plans/reimburse/.

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