Open Enrollment is here! Learn more about your options for 2020 with ALEX and attend the Benefits and Wellness Fair on Oct. 28
Open Enrollment for 2020 benefits is happening now through Nov. 1, 2019, at 6 p.m. EST. During Open Enrollment, you can elect or change UF and State benefits plans through the appropriate online portals. Changes made are effective Jan. 1, 2020.
“Don’t assume what you currently have is what you still need,” says University Benefits Director Shannon Edwards. “Our lives change every single year, and we have an opportunity once a year to change our elections.”
Edwards encourages all employees to assess what you need from all angles, whether it be increasing or decreasing life insurance, adding dental coverage or changing your health coverage in some way.
“ALEX, our online virtual benefits counselor tool, is really helpful in showing employees what their options are,” she said. “Taking just a few minutes every year to assess if what you selected last year is still the right thing for you and your family is very important.”
To help you have a successful Open Enrollment period, we’ve compiled the following important steps. If you have questions during any part of the process, let us know how we can help you (contact information can be found at the bottom of the story).
Step 1: Review Open Enrollment materials
Benefits includes more than your health plan. Carefully review all materials sent to you by email and snail mail from UFHR Benefits, People First (State plans) and CVS/Caremark. Please ensure that you read information from CVS/Caremark regarding prescription drug changes, as it may require action on your part prior to Jan. 1.
You can also learn more about what’s changing in 2020 in this video, on the UFHR Open Enrollment website and via People First. (For example, some State dental plan names are changing: Humana Select 15 is now Humana HD205, and Sun Life Freedom Advance is now Sun Life Indemnity PPO.)
Good news for all: There is no increase to employee health care premiums this year.
Be sure to review the information on the UFHR Benefits and myBenefits State websites for insurance plan details, enrollment information and more.
Step 2: Talk to ALEX
Get help with all of your benefits decisions, including which voluntary benefits are right for you and if you’re saving enough for the future. Use ALEX to assess your options and see what makes the most sense for you for the coming year. You can find ALEX here: https://www.myalex.com/uf/2020#intro.
Here’s what some of you had to say about ALEX last year:
“Such an easy engaging way to do this seemingly daunting task!”
“This is super helpful and easy to use. I’m glad this is a system we have for looking over benefits because it’s much less overwhelming than JUST charts and tables full of jargon.”
“This is the most helpful and intuitive way of choosing health insurance. This is my first time having to choose a plan and having no previous knowledge I feel like I have a strong grasp of what I’m signing up for now.”
“This is a very helpful tool. Well-designed and user-friendly. I greatly appreciate it!”
Step 3: Attend the Benefits and Wellness Fair on Oct. 28
Stop by the Champion’s Club at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the Employee Benefits & Wellness Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, to learn more about available benefits plans and retirement options, get your flu shot and participate in wellness screenings. The UFHR Benefits team will also be on hand to answer your questions.
Need a ride to the fair? UF faculty and staff with Gator 1 cards can ride RTS buses for free. Maps and schedules are available on the RTS website. You can also call Campus Cab for a lift. Learn more here.
Residents outside of Alachua County may attend a state benefits fair in their local area; however, UFSelect and GatorCare vendors will only be participating in the UF fair. Check the DMS website for locations and dates of alternate benefits fairs.
Step 4: Select your options!
Once you have all of the information you need and have determined the best options for you for the coming year, it’s time for the most important part—actually enrolling for your benefits!
Enroll in UF benefits at myUFL via this pathway: Main Menu > My Self Service > Benefits > Benefits Enrollment
You can enroll in State benefits through People First. People First created this Open Enrollment video to assist employees with completing the Open Enrollment process for State benefits. There is also a video about how to reset your password if needed.
Need help at any point in the process?
The Benefits team is here for you! If you have questions, call (352) 392-2477, email benefits@ufl.edu or make an in-person appointment with a Benefits specialist.