2017 Employee Annual Benefits Enrollment Closing Monday, Nov. 14

The 2017 employee annual benefits enrollment began Tuesday, Nov. 1, and will continue through Monday, Nov. 14. This is the only time during the year when you can make changes to your benefits without a “qualifying event” (also known as a change in status). Benefit elections made during this annual enrollment period are generally effective Jan. 1, 2017.

If you plan to participate in the Health Care and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or the Health Savings Account (HSA) in 2017, you must complete the online enrollment process to confirm your 2017 election(s). All other benefits require re-enrollment only if you wish to change your current enrollment elections.

You must complete the annual enrollment process to:

  • Newly elect, change or drop medical, dental and/or vision coverage;
  • Add or drop family members from your coverage;
  • Continue or add a Health Care and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account election;
  • Continue or elect a Health Savings Account for the first time if enrolling in the $2,600/$5,200 Deductible Plan-HDHP;
  • Enroll in or cancel your MetLaw legal benefit;
  • Change the taxable status of your Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefit; or
  • Add or change your Voluntary Life Insurance/AD&D coverage amount.

Annual enrollment materials that provide detailed information on the 2017 benefits as well as instructions on how to complete the annual enrollment process are available here.

What’s changing for 2017?

  • There will be no changes to the medical, dental or vision plan designs or coverage levels.
  • The HSA employee-only annual contribution limit has increased to $3,400.
  • The health care Flexible Spending Account annual contribution limit has increased to $2,600.

2017 Benefits costs

The university expects total medical costs to increase approximately 10 percent in 2017. The university will cover 73 percent of 2017 budgeted medical costs. Employee medical premiums will increase 4.9 percent in the aggregate, and will vary based on the relative risk and benefits associated with the medical plan option elected. To see how your premiums will change, click here.

The MetLaw legal benefit rates will increase.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the HR-Benefits team.

Phone: (651) 962-6520
Fax: (651) 962-6524
Benefits@stthomas.edu