The open enrollment period for 2020 benefits is here. Open enrollment is the one time each year that you can review your elections and choose the health care coverage that will work best for you and your family in the coming calendar year. This is your only opportunity to enroll in or make changes to your benefits unless you have a qualifying change in status such as a birth, marriage or loss of coverage.
Here are a few highlights for faculty and staff members to keep in mind:
Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System Corporation
Open enrollment runs from Oct. 21 through Nov. 4, with elections effective Jan. 1.
Both the EHP Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) and EHP Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans will be offered. Introduced last year, the EHP EPO plan was designed to help you lower your premiums while offering a wide choice of providers. It’s important to note that care outside of the EHP network is not covered under the EPO, except for emergency care. The EHP
PPO plan may be the right choice if you use out-of-network providers.
Direct Primary Care (DPC) will continue to be a benefit option for Johns Hopkins Health System employees and their adult dependents, age 18 or older, who elect an EHP insurance plan. Located in Columbia, Maryland, this innovative practice offers employees greater access to primary care services. All interested employees, including those enrolled in 2019, must elect Direct Primary Care during open enrollment.
Unified benefits. Beginning Jan. 1, any money you pay toward your deductible and coinsurance as a member of either the EHP EPO or EHP PPO health plan will transfer with you if you change JHHS member organizations mid-year.
Enhancements to the IVF benefit. The EHP EPO and EHP PPO plans are increasing the infertility benefit to a lifetime maximum of $60,000, split evenly between medical and pharmacy expenses. The network has also been expanded and will now include Shady Grove Fertility beginning Jan. 1.
Changes to the vision benefit. As of Jan. 1, EHP will begin offering a stand-alone vision plan. If you wish to have vision benefits for routine services, including routine eye exams, frames and contact lenses, you must enroll in the EHP vision plan during open enrollment and pay the biweekly premiums for the coverage. Otherwise, your existing vision coverage that was previously included with your medical plan will end on Dec. 31, 2019.
Easily keep track of your blood pressure. Let us help you “keep the pressure down” by providing you with a home blood pressure monitoring device.
If you do not make changes during the open enrollment period, your current benefits elections will remain in effect in 2020. However, you will need to go online in order to:
Elect vision coverage.
Update beneficiaries and enroll dependents.
Earn the tobacco-free credit. If you have tested as tobacco-free for two years in a row, you do not need a new screening. Voluntary tobacco screening is available through LabCorp.
Enroll or re-enroll in a health care and dependent care flexible spending account.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Open enrollment dates run from Oct. 16 to Nov. 1
Medical plan offerings are expanding with the addition of a new High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) option paired with a tax-advantaged Health Savings Account (HSA). The other medical plan options will continue to be available for 2020. In line with previous years, there will be modest increases to your medical plan premiums for 2020.
As announced last year, the United ConcordiaPLUS Dental HMO will be eliminated for 2020. If you are currently enrolled in this plan, you will automatically be covered under the Delta Dental Standard Plan (without orthodontia coverage) for 2020 if you do not actively enroll.
Introducing a new, interactive decision support tool called ALEX to help you choose the medical and dental plan that is right for you. ALEX acts as a virtual benefits counselor to help you learn more about your JHU benefit options.
Discovery Benefits will replace WageWorks as the administrator for the Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) as well as the commuter benefits, effective Jan. 1. Discovery Benefits will provide enhanced resources, tools and payment options for added convenience.
A new Limited Purpose FSA will be available to those who elect the HDHP medical option. This account can be used for eligible dental and vision expenses only.
The Health Care FSA maximum employee contribution will increase (new contribution limit to be announced soon). As a reminder, you must re-enroll in the Health Care FSA and the Dependent Care FSA each year.
While your voluntary benefits have not changed, the open enrollment process is now simplified. If you wish to elect legal, critical illness and/or accident insurance, you can make your choices via the Benefits & Worklife myChoices enrollment site at hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife. For homeowners and auto insurance, you’ll continue to enroll at jhuvoluntarybenefits.com.
If you do not enroll during the annual enrollment period, your current medical, Delta Dental, vision, life, AD&D, short-term disability and voluntary benefits elections will carry over into 2020 with any new rates.