We are currently in the third and final week of Open Enrollment, which closes Nov. 3 at 4:59 p.m. Each year in the fall, benefits-eligible employees may select and make changes to their health coverage plans based on their needs and the needs of their family. Outside a qualifying life event, this will be the only window during which such changes may be made. Note that all benefits-eligible employees are strongly encouraged to go through Open Enrollment as some benefits selections do not carry over without the employee's annual approval.
CLICK HERE TO Visit the Open Enrollment Website
Important Reminders
Open Enrollment Portal Instructions
Follow the instructions below to complete the Open Enrollment process.
- Log in to your account.
- Go to the column titled "Top Employee Resources."
- Click "Start Your Open Enrollment."
- Click "Open Enrollment."
- Take some time to review the instructions at the top of each page.
- Click "Start Open Enrollment."
Opting Out of Health Insurance Coverage
If you elected to refuse/opt out of Medical Â鶹ÊÓƵ health insurance coverage for 2024, you will be receiving a Verification of Alternative Coverage notification to your kent.edu email address the week of Nov. 6, 2024. You must verify your alternative coverage via that Dynamic Forms document, which will then be expedited to the Benefits Office to set your refuse/opt-out status. Please watch your email and make sure to complete the verification form by Nov. 20, 2023.
Increasing or Enrolling in Life Insurance
- If you elected to enroll in or increase any life insurance, you will be required to complete an Evidence of Insurability (EOI) with Securian/Minnesota Life. Use group number 34693 and access code: kent.
- Likewise, if you have elected to enroll in or increase any long-term disability insurance with UNUM, you will need to access the with ACCESS CODE: ASFLKGE to complete the EOI. This information must be sent to the provider no later than Nov. 20, 2023.
Working Spouse/Domestic Partner Fee
Non-bargaining and AFSCME bargaining unit employees who elect to provide healthcare coverage to their spouse/domestic partner who has access to a group medical plan through a non-Â鶹ÊÓƵ employer are subject to the Working Spouse/Domestic Partner fee effective Jan. 1, 2024.
The fee is automatically added during the Open Enrollment process to begin in plan year 2024. The fee may be waived if your spouse/partner:
- Is also employed at Â鶹ÊÓƵ;
- Is retired, unemployed or self-employed; or
- Does not have health care coverage available through their employer.
You can request a waiver by completing the . The form must be completed by both the employee and the spouse/domestic partner’s employer and returned to the Benefits office by Nov. 20, 2023.
If the form is not returned to the Benefits office by Nov. 20, 2023, the fee will be applied beginning with the first pay in January 2024. Any fees taken prior to the form being submitted will not be refunded.
New Hires or Employees Recently Eligible for Benefits
Benefits-eligible employees who are newly hired (as of Sept. 27) or who recently became eligible for benefits, and were not able to complete their new hire benefits enrollment via the portal prior to Open Enrollment, will be required to complete both their 2023 and 2024 benefit plan elections manually. You will not have access to the portal this year, and will need to turn in hard copies of the benefits election documents.
If this applies to you, you should have received an email from Employee Benefits containing a zip file with all the new hire documents that you need to submit, and the very important deadlines associated with each of the forms.
You can find valuable information concerning your healthcare, life insurance, voluntary benefit options and important deadlines on the .
Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) require an election each calendar year during Open Enrollment. If you want to participate in a healthcare or dependent care FSA during calendar year 2024, you must access the Open Enrollment portal to make that election, even if you had an account in 2023. If you do not make an election, you will not have an FSA account for 2024.
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA) also require an election each calendar year. If you elect the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and want contributions to your HSA, you must access the Open Enrollment portal to complete your enrollment, even if you have an existing account in 2023. If you do not make an election, you will not have an HSA account for 2024. Remember, the university also contributes to your HSA ($1,100 for single coverage or $2,000 for family coverage).