When is Open Enrollment?
October 8–November 2, 2018
When do the changes I make during Open Enrollment take effect?
January 1, 2019
Do I need to do anything if I am happy with my current benefits?
Yes. You MUST make your tobacco-use attestation even 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). The only exception is for those employees who will not carry medical insurance in 2019 with CareFirst or Kaiser Permanente. If you will be covered by an MCPS-provided medical plan in 2019, you MUST make your attestation(s).
Remember, if you wish to continue in an FSA, you must reenroll annually. Enrollment in your 2019 FSA plans is offered through the online Benefit Enrollment System (BES), along with your other benefit options.
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 heath screening and/or health risk assessment are eligible for the rate reductions provided through the Wellness Initiatives program.
What is meant by “tobacco free?”
You are considered tobacco free if you do not use any form of tobacco during the 12 months prior to a new benefit (i.e., calendar) year.
How do I access the online BES to make changes to my benefits?
Simply 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 2019 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 e-mail account.
How can I learn more about my MCPS employee benefits?
- Open Enrollment Benefit Fairs
Speak with staff from ERSC and representatives from the health insurance carriers. See the dates and locations of this year’s Open Enrollment Benefit Fairs in this issue of For Your Benefit.
- 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—
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- important Open Enrollment updates, including Open Enrollment dates, benefit fairs, benefits information, and more; and
- the 2019 Employee Benefit Summary, which includes information about all of your employee benefits.
