2017 Annual Benefits Enrollment

• This is your one opportunity during the year to evaluate your benefits and make decisions regarding your medical, dental, life insurance, and flexible spending account (FSA).
• Even if you feel that your current elections are perfect, it’s important to review your options annually.
• Annual leave exchange for 2017 must be elected during Annual Enrollment.
• Keep in mind that as you experience life changes such as marriage, the birth of a child, graduation of children from college, or preparing for retirement, your insurance needs change too.

All documents in PDF format.

November 18, 2016
—LAST DAY FOR ANNUAL ENROLLMENT —
The deadline for enrollment is today!
Anyone who enrolled prior to the suspension will need to re-enroll.

What is the deadline for Annual Enrollment?

• All employees must enroll by Friday, November 18, 2016.
• This includes employees who "Opt Out" because they have other coverage. These individuals must re-elect Opt Out for 2017 and provide proof of alternate medical coverage.
• Current plan year elections are valid through December 31, 2016. New health and dental plans will be effective as of January 1, 2017.

What's new for 2017?

• All employees must enroll. If you do not make your benefits selections in OPUS by Friday, November 18, neither you nor your dependents will have coverage in 2017.

• Copays for medical services in the traditional Point of Service (POS) health plan, and biweekly premiums in both the Health Savings Account (HSA) and POS health plans are increasing. These changes are due to the inflation of medical costs and higher than anticipated medical claims in our self-funded plan.
  
  

  POS Health Plan Copays
  In-Network Benefit	2016 Copay	2017 Copay
  Primary Care Physician/Urgent Care Visit	$20	$25
  Specialist	$30	$35
  Emergency Room	$100	$250

   

  Biweekly Health Premiums*
  Coverage	2017 Premium	Increase from 2016
  Employee only	$8.36	$ .62
  Employee and Spouse or Domestic Partner	$107.69	$7.98
  Employee and Child(ren)	$91.64	$6.79
  Family	$181.29	$13.43
  * The same premiums apply to the HSA and POS plan. The premium includes medical care, prescription coverage, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), managed mental health, and vision care.

• The benefit administrator for the dental HMO plan is changing from MetLife to Cigna. The plan benefit remains the same as MetLife while utilizing the Cigna network. Dental premiums are not increasing for 2017.
• The flexible spending account (FSA) healthcare account carryover rule is changing. If you don’t enroll in the FSA for two consecutive years, unspent funds will be forfeited. Also the maximum contribution limit has been increased by the IRS from $2,550 to $2,600.

How do I learn about my enrollment options?

Additional information and links will be added as available.

• Annual Enrollment Handbook
• Health Plan Comparison: 
  • Health Plan Comparison Chart
  • Consumer Driven Plan with Health Savings Account (HSA) Summary
  • Point of Service (POS) Plan Summary
• Health Plan Cost Estimator (user ID = Pinellas2017, password = Benefits2017). Use this tool to input you and your family members' medical and prescription needs in order to receive a detailed estimate of costs for both health plans in 2017.
• Two-Minute Tuesday Videos:
  • Tools & Resources for Annual Enrollment - Learn about the Health Plan Cost Estimator Tool and other valuable resources to help you make the best choice for your family's benefits in 2017.
  • Annual Enrollment: What's New for 2017? - There are five important changes you need to know about.
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)- Learn about the health care and dependent care FSA options.
  • Save Money on Healthcare Expenses- Save money before you even spend it with a pre-tax HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account).
  • Time is Money - Exchange up to 160 hours of annual leave in 2017 to save for your retirement or pay for upcoming expenses.
• Preventive Medications List for HSA Plan 
• Annual Leave Exchange: Guide | Video
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Web page | Worksheet | Savings Calculator | Video #1 | Video #2

How do I enroll?

• Enroll online in OPUS by Friday, November 18, 2016.
  • Go to Employee Self Service > Benefits > Benefits Enrollment
  • If you need to make changes, log into OPUS and update your selections. Your choices will be final at 11:59 pm on Friday, November 18.
  • Your enrollment choices will be effective as of January 1, 2017.
• Domestic partners may be covered on employee's health and dental coverage. Complete the Domestic Partner Affidavit.

Questions?

• Contact Employee Benefits at 464-4570 or by email.

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