We are excited to share the below information about a Special Benefit Open Enrollment during the month of April, to introduce an additional medical plan option to employees currently enrolled in a medical plan under the State Health Benefits Program. If you wish to keep your current medical plan, no further action is required.
- Why a Special Enrollment Period?
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As a result of recent legislation, the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits (NJDPB) will offer both Aetna and Horizon medical plans under the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program (SHBP). As a currently enrolled employee you have the option to participate in a Special Open Enrollment period during which you can select a new Horizon or Aetna plan.
- What’s New?
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In addition to Horizon medical plans, an Aetna medical plan option will be available. While the Aetna and Horizon plans will have the same plan design, covered services, rates and out of pocket costs (for the 2024 plan year), the primary difference between the carriers is that each have large, but different network of providers.
- Will there be changes to the Prescription Plan Option?
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No. There is no change to the state’s prescription vendor. Both the Horizon and Aetna plans will have OPTUM as the prescription vendor.
- Can other benefit option changes be made during the Special Open Enrollment?
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No. Changes to covered dependents and changes to Dental or Flexible Spending Accounts will not be permitted during this time.
Important Note about Medical Tax Savings Plans: If you are enrolled in a High Deductible plan, you are only eligible to enroll in a medical Health Savings Account (i.e., you are not eligible to enroll in a medical Flexible Spending Account). If you change to a High Deductible plan effective July 1, 2024 and are enrolled in a medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA), your FSA enrollment will terminate on June 30, 2024, but you will have the option of enrolling in a Health Savings Account (HSA) effective July 1, 2024. Any claims that you wish to submit to your medical FSA for reimbursement would need to have a date of service ranging from January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024.
- When is the Special Open Enrollment Period?
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The enrollment period begins on April 1, 2024 and ends on April 30, 2024.
- Who is eligible to participate in the Special Open Enrollment?
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Employees who are currently enrolled under the State Health Benefits Program can change their medical plan during the Special Open Enrollment.
- When will the Special Open Enrollment Changes be effective?
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Plan changes made during the Special Open Enrollment will be effective on July 1, 2024.
- What should you do to make an informed decision?
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We encourage all eligible employees to review the information provided below and online, to help you select the best medical plan for your individual needs!
- Do employees have to take action during the Special Open Enrollment?
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No, If you do not wish to make a change, no action is needed.
- Can benefit eligible employees who are not currently enrolled in a State Health Benefits Program medical plan participate in the Special Open Enrollment?
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No. Benefit eligible employees who are not currently enrolled in a State Health Benefits Program medical plan will have the opportunity to enroll in either a Horizon or Aetna medical plan during the regular annual enrollment which is held every October with benefits effective January 1, 2025.
- How do you change plans?
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All plan changes must be made online via the BenefitSolver portal which can be accessed through your myNewJersey account.
(If you encounter any issues creating an account or logging in, please select “Trouble Logging In” at the bottom of the welcome page. For help with the BenefitSolver tool, see the Employee Guide to Logging into Benefit Solver or use the support service within the application.
First time users must register by the following these instructions:
- Click Register
- Enter SSN and Date of Birth
- Enter Company Key: SHBP/SEHBP
- Click Continue
Available Resources:
UHR Information Sessions
Your UHR Benefits and Wellness team will be hosting two (2) webinars. Each webinar will provide an overview of the special enrollment period followed by a Question-and-Answer session. Please register for one of the sessions via the below links. Upon completion of registration, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to a meeting planner.
UHR Special Open Enrollment Seminars (via WebEx)
April 2nd, 10am OR April 16th, 10am
Additional Plan Information
There are both Horizon and Aetna Benefit plan guides available. The two documents in addition to contribution calculators and rate charts are located on the Special Open Enrollment page which you can access by logging into your mynjbenefitshub through your myNewJersey account or via mynjbenefitshub.nj.gov.
Carrier Webinars and Contact Information
Both Aetna and Horizon have staff available to assist employees with questions related to plan choices and providers. Contact information and links for Special Enrollment Webinars are below.
Horizon BCBS Contact Information
State Health Benefits Program (Horizon) Member Benefits
800-414-SHBP (1-800-414-7427)
Available weekdays from 8a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern Time (ET)
Click here for Horizon Special Enrollment Webinar Schedule and Registration. Choose “SHBP State and State College/University Employees”. Webinars are being held from March 18th through April 11th.
Aetna Contact Information
State of New Jersey Services Team
833-398-0768
Available weekdays from 8a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern Time (ET)
Click here for Aetna Special Enrollment Webinar Schedule and Registration. Choose “SHBP State Special Enrollment Webinars”. Webinars are being held from March 19th through April 23rd.
We hope you take advantage of this special opportunity to review your plan options and consider any changes that may better align with your individual needs.
Should you have any additional questions or need to update your address on file, please contact the OneSource Rutgers Faculty and Staff Service Center at 732-745-SERV (7378). We are here to support you during this special enrollment opportunity!