Open Enrollment 2021

 
              

Dear VU Employee:

 

I hope this letter finds you well and adapting to the unexpected changes that have taken place over the past 7 months. As with so many things, the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected even the simplest aspects of our day to day lives. We appreciate all you are doing and have done to keep the University moving forward!

COVID-19 has also changed the way we will conduct our Open Enrollment period for the 2021 Plan Year. Open Enrollment is the annual process that allows employees to enroll in or make changes to their benefit elections for the 2021 plan year without a qualifying life event (e.g. marriage, death, divorce, the birth of a child). This is also the only time during the year to enroll in voluntary benefit plans such as HRI Dental, VSP Vision, AFLAC, and the Flexible Spending Account (the FSA must be renewed annually). All changes or additions must be made by 4 pm on November 13, 2020.

Our open enrollment period will be November 2 through November 13, 2020. Because we are limiting our face to face interaction and will not be hosting a Benefit & Wellness Fair this year, we are excited to announce our very first Virtual Open Enrollment! 

The forms you would traditionally receive in the mail to complete and turn in to Human Resources are now available online. You will find the link to the forms on the MyVU homepage under the “To Do” heading. The forms available include enrollment forms for the voluntary benefits programs like HRI Dental, VSP Vision, AFLAC, and the Chard Snyder Flexible Spending Account. You will also find the Anthem Enrollment form to be used if you are enrolling in the University Health Care Plan for the first time, or are making changes to your current coverage. 

We are very pleased to inform you there will be no increase in the rates for the 2021 plan year. Although health care costs continue to trend upward, especially in light of the pandemic, the University understands the toll these past several months have taken on our employees physically, mentally, and especially financially. The University is anxious to do everything we can to support the well being of our VU family. Therefore, in addition to the rates remaining the same, there will be no changes to deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket maximums.

                          

                                                                     Medical                                                                          Bi-Weekly Rates

Active & Retiree<65

University (70%)

Employee (30%)

Total

Employee

$196.50

$84.00

$280.50

Employee Child(ren)

$342.86

$148.00

$490.86

Employee Spouse

$441.11

$190.00

$631.11

Employee Spouse Child(ren)

$528.32

$229.00

$757.32
                              

                                   

                                                                   Dental                                                                           Bi-Weekly Rates

Active & Retiree<65

University (70%)

Employee (30%)

Total

Employee

$8.03

$3.40

$11.43

Employee Child(ren)

$15.81

$6.85

$22.66

Employee Spouse

$18.13

$7.60

$25.73

Employee Spouse Child(ren)

$23.16

$10.00

$33.16
 

The 2021 tobacco-user surcharge will remain $35 bi-weekly. All employees enrolled in VU’s healthcare plan must certify annually whether you and/or your spouse (if the spouse is covered by VU’s plan) use tobacco products or are tobacco-free. As in previous years, the Tobacco Affidavit must be completed electronically and can be found on the Human Resources page by selecting Benefits, Open Enrollment, and then 2021 Tobacco Affidavit. Once the Affidavit has been completed, you will receive a confirmation email in your preferred email account. The deadline to complete this Affidavit is Friday, November 13, 2020, by 4 pm for the 2021 plan year. If the online certification is not completed, the surcharge will be automatically applied effective January 1, 2021, and will remain in place for the entire 2021 plan year.

Please submit the forms for your enrollment changes and annual Flexible Spending Account elections, and update your 2021 Online Tobacco Affidavit by the November 13, 2020 deadline. If you have any questions related to Open Enrollment or VU Benefits, please contact Chris Gardner, VU’s Benefits Coordinator, at 812.888.5847 or cgardner@vinu.edu.

 

Stay Well!

 

Regina McCord-Fithian

Director of Human Resources