The weeks before Open Enrollment are a good time to examine your current benefits plans and ask questions. Is your health plan working for you? Do you have enough life insurance? Do you need a different dental plan?

In response to the U-M community’s requests for help analyzing their choices, the Benefits Office is offering a new decision-support tool called Benefits Mentor. 

What is Benefits Mentor?

Benefits Mentor is an interactive system that allows users to compare specific benefits, costs and other factors of U-M health plans that you consider important. 

With your permission, Benefits Mentor accesses your actual health care claims to contrast U-M’s plans and analyze which best suits your needs. If you opt out of allowing access to your personal information, Benefits Mentor utilizes benchmark data to walk you through a series of prompts. Based on your responses, the tool will recommend a health plan.

Benefits Mentor’s suggestion is just that – a suggestion. Also, it’s important to note that using Benefits Mentor doesn’t automatically enroll you in a health plan. If you want to change your benefits or enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you must complete the traditional Open Enrollment process. 

Open Enrollment for 2022 benefits starts Monday, Oct. 18, and continues through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29. 

Read more about Benefits Mentor.

To use Benefits Mentor, go to Wolverine Access and enter “Benefits Mentor” in the search field. 

Other Tools You Can Use

Health Plans

U-M’s health plans – Comprehensive Major Medical (CMM), U-M Premier Care, Michigan Care and Community Blue PPO – are open to benefits-eligible employees and retirees. GradCare is for benefits-eligible graduate students only.

Each health plan offers different features so you have a range of choices. Watch this video for an overview of the plans, and follow up with the Health Plan Coverage Comparison tool or 2022 comparison chart for a deeper dive into the specifics.

Dental Plans

Delta Dental is the in-network provider for all three of U-M’s dental plan options. Like with the health plans, you have choices, whether your goal is to save on your monthly contribution, have a lower copay or access a larger network of physicians. Watch this video for an overview of each plan option, or use this comparison chart to help with your decision.

Questions about Rates or Eligibility?

If you need help determining which U-M benefits are open to you, review eligibility guidelines.

View your 2021 plans rates in Wolverine Access or on this web page.

Facts about FSAs

U-M offers two types of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), or pretax accounts eligible faculty and staff can use to pay out-of-pocket expenses.

A Health Care FSA is available to cover your and your dependents’ out-of-pocket medical expenses. Think copays for covered procedures; office visits; eyeglasses and contact lenses; prescription and over-the-counter medications; and dental procedures. This video gives you an idea of how a Health Care FSA works.

Funds in a Dependent Care FSA can cover eligible day-care expenses for a dependent child younger than age 13, or elder care for a dependent adult, while you and your spouse work (or if your spouse is a full-time student or disabled).

View more detailed information about FSAs.

Not sure if you qualify to enroll in an FSA? Check the guidelines for eligibility.