Benefits-eligible faculty, staff, retirees and graduate students may change their benefit selections during the once-a-year Open Enrollment from Oct. 16 through 5 p.m. Oct. 27.
Changes can be made to health, dental, vision and legal plan enrollments. Benefits-eligible faculty and staff also may add eligible dependents and enroll in a Flexible Spending Account.
Benefit changes and new rates take effect Jan. 1, 2024.
What’s New for 2024
Open Enrollment 2024 features new and revised benefit options. The university will offer a new Consumer-Directed Health Plan with a Health Savings Account, in addition to its existing health plans. The CDHP may appeal to those who prefer paying higher out-of-pocket costs in exchange for lower monthly premiums.
For Medicare-eligible retirees and survivors, U-M will provide new, comprehensive Medicare Advantage health plans to replace current Medicare supplemental plans.
The tier 3 copay in the Prescription Drug Plan also will increase from $45 in 2023 to $75 in 2024. This is the first drug increase in nearly a decade. The copays for tier 1 and tier 2 prescription drugs will remain at $10 and $20.
Additional changes in 2024 will include:
- Michigan Care Health Plan eligibility expansion to Stockbridge, Mich., and Jackson County, Mich.
- Dental Plan enhancements, including a new aesthetic restoration policy.
- Legal Services Plan enhancements, such as misdemeanor and felony defense, expungement, and Social Security disability services.
- Davis Vision Plan name change.
No action is required to keep current benefits, except for Flexible Spending Accounts. Those who intend to change their benefit options for 2024 must complete the Open Enrollment process.
Employees who wish to participate in an FSA for 2024 must also enroll. Unlike other benefits, IRS rules do not allow FSA enrollments to continue from one year to the next.
Carefully Evaluate Benefits Needs
If you're pondering the health plan options, take time to carefully evaluate each plan based on cost, provider network and anticipated use of health care services.
Total annual health care spending for all dependents covered under your benefits plan should be considered. This includes monthly premiums, copays, coinsurance and deductibles.
Several resources, including Benefits Mentor, a decision-support tool that can help you compare the different health plan costs with real-time data, are available to assist.
Rates for 2024 benefits are listed online in Wolverine Access this week. After you're in Wolverine Access, select Employee Self-Service, Benefits and Display Benefit Plan Rates.
Learn more about the Medicare Advantage and Consumer-Directed Health Plans by attending free webinars in October. Watch the Open Enrollment section for information about how to register.
Enrollment Deadline is Oct. 27
Eligible faculty, staff, and graduate students can make benefits changes online from Oct. 16 through 5 p.m. Oct. 27.
Open Enrollment books will be mailed to retirees in mid-September. Retirees may make changes online or complete and return the enrollment form included in the book.
Pamphlets also will be mailed in mid-September to COBRA and long-term disability participants, as well as those on a leave of absence or reduction in force.
Forms must be returned by fax or mail, and be received or postmarked by Oct. 27. Note that Wolverine Tower is not open to the general public, so no walk-in service is available.
