The annual benefits open enrollment period comes but once a year. If you work for The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System Corporation or school of medicine, it’s your only opportunity to select a health benefit plan for 2017. This year, Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System Corporation employees can make their choices online from Oct. 17 through Oct. 31, and school of medicine employees can do so from Oct. 21 to Nov. 8. Keep the following in mind when choosing the benefit package that best fits your family’s needs:
JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SYSTEM CORPORATION EMPLOYEES
New Insurance Options
• 90/10 option: EHP will pay 90 percent of the cost of medical care and services, and the employee will pay 10 percent of the cost after any copays and deductibles are met. This plan will continue to cover services with Hopkins Preferred Providers at 100 percent after applicable copays and deductibles have been applied.
• A new 80/20 option: EHP will pay 80 percent of the cost of medical care and services, and employees will pay 20 percent after any copays and deductibles are met. The 80/20 option will have a lower biweekly premium than the 90/10 option but does not cover services with Hopkins Preferred Providers at 100 percent.
For more information about 2017 benefits, including changes in deductibles, copays, out-of-pocket maximums and premiums, please visit hopkinsmedicine.org/ human_resources/benefits/ open_enrollment.html. Look for the brochure as well.
Tobacco Testing
A voluntary tobacco testing process takes effect this fall to reward employees who don’t use tobacco. The reward will be applied as a credit on employees’ biweekly paychecks, effective January 2017. Employees who elect benefits through EHP will be able to get their tobacco test at various sites across the institution or at a LabCorp location of their choosing.
Learn more about the process and
view the list of screening dates at hopkinsmedicine.org/human_resources/ benefits/tobacco-testing.html.
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE EMPLOYEES
There are no changes to benefit plans and coverage options this year.
Medical Premiums
2017 medical plan premiums will increase in alignment with industry trends. Prices are based on salary, so those who are paid less will have lower premiums.
Vision Plan
If you choose to participate in the voluntary vision plan provided by UnitedHealthcare, you will benefit from a 15 percent reduction in premiums.
Waiver Credit
If you decline medical coverage through The Johns Hopkins University, you are still eligible for a medical waiver credit of $800 annually if your salary is $40,000 or less and $500 annually if your salary is more than $40,000.
Flexible Spending Accounts
You must re-enroll in the health care flexible spending account and the dependent care flexible spending account for 2017. Up to $500 of unused flexible spending account funds will roll over into the plan next year.
Important Reminders
If you aren’t making any changes, your 2016 elections will carry over into 2017 with the new rates that are effective on Jan. 1, 2017, except for flexible spending accounts.
The myChoices tab on the benefits website at benefits.jhu.edu/ mychoices is your primary resource for 2017 open enrollment information, including plan details, benefits tools and the link to the enrollment website.
