October 20, 2005
Benefits changes can be made during open enrollment
The medical/dental open enrollment period for UW employees is from Oct. 24 to Nov. 30. UW benefits fairs will be held at various locations in Seattle, as well as one in Tacoma.
The effective date for any changes in coverage is Jan. 1, 2006.
The annual Medical/Dental Open Enrollment period is a good time to reevaluate existing plans and decide whether to continue with current choices or make a change, according to Benefits Director Katie Dwyer. Any time dependents or circumstances change the employee is responsible for making appropriate changes to benefits enrollment.
Employees must make changes during the open enrollment period if:
- They want to choose a different medical and/or dental plan:
- They want to remove dependent(s) from coverage.
- They want to reinstate previously waived medical coverage for dependents who were waived in the past.
- They want to add dependent(s) (spouse, same-sex dependent partner (SSDP), children) not previously covered on their plan.
Benefits Fairs will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 25 at UW Medical Center Health Sciences Lobby, Oct. 26 in the HUB West Ballroom, Oct. 27 at Harborview Medical Center Research & Training Building and Nov. 18 at Tacoma Community College (this fair is not UW-specific and is sponsored by the Public Employee Benefits Board). Representatives of medical and dental plans, life and long term disability companies, the Flexible Spending Account administrator, the UW Retirement Plans and Voluntary Investment Program, as well as a Hometown Homeloan representative will be present to answer questions.
Many changes can be made online using the E-coverage system. More information is available at http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/open.enrollment.html.
