When is Open Enrollment?
October 11–November 5, 2021
When do the changes I make during Open Enrollment take effect?
January 1, 2022
Do I need to do anything if I am happy with my current benefits?
No. You do not need to do anything if you are satisfied with your benefits and do not wish to make any changes, enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA), or designate your life insurance beneficiary(ries).
Remember, if you wish to continue in an FSA, you must reenroll annually. Enrollment in your 2022 FSA plans is offered through the online Benefit Enrollment System (BES), along with your other benefit options.
I heard the federal government made changes to our benefits because of COVID-19. Is this true?
Not exactly. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service released new guidelines to give employers and benefit plans more flexibility in providing benefits. As a result of the guidelines, MCPS benefit plan vendors made certain temporary changes to their plans to ensure that employees and their family members covered by an MCPS-provided health plan receive the medical care they need should they contract the coronavirus. The changes include, among others, extending certain time frames for enrolling in benefits, filing claims, and continuing coverage under COBRA. One of these extensions gives employees until December 31, 2022, to use their calendar year 2021 FSA balance(s). Further details are available on the ERSC web page.
I am covered by a dental, vision, and/or prescription plan only. Can I participate in the Wellness Initiatives program?
You may complete a biometric health screening to learn more about your health, but you will not receive the 1 percent reduction in your contributions to these plans. Also, you will not be able to complete a health risk assessment because it is offered only through the medical plans. Only those employees who are covered by an MCPS-provided medical insurance plan when completing their biometric health screening and/or health risk assessment are eligible for the rate reductions provided through the Wellness Initiatives program.
How do I access the online BES to make changes to my benefits?
Visit the Employee Self-Service web page and click on the Open Enrollment link, found under the blue My Benefits banner. Log in using your Outlook username and password.
How will I know if the BES has captured my changes correctly?
While still logged in to the BES, you will be able to view and print a benefit confirmation statement. The statement will provide a summary of your 2022 benefit elections, including FSAs as well as any benefits you have declined. In addition, the statement will include a list of your life insurance beneficiary(ries). You also will receive confirmation in your MCPS Outlook email account.
How can I learn more about my MCPS employee benefits?
- Open Enrollment Benefit Webinars
Learn more about your Open Enrollment options with representatives from ERSC and the benefit plan vendors. See the dates and times for the Open Enrollment Benefit Webinars in this issue of For Your Benefit. Webinar access information is available on the Open Enrollment web page.
- New this year: Open Enrollment Virtual Assistance
ERSC will offer individual assistance virtually from October 18–29, 2021. Employees will be able to register for a 20-minute Zoom session with an ERSC representative. Please visit the Employee Open Enrollment web page for more information and instructions for signing up.
- For Your Benefit
This issue contains important information about making changes to your benefits, FSAs, and more.
The ERSC website is always your best resource for employee benefit information. On our website, you will find—
- important Open Enrollment updates, including Open Enrollment dates, benefit webinars, benefits information, and more; and
- the 2022 Employee Benefit Summary, which includes information about all of your employee benefits.
