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FAQ - Open Enrollment 2007
- What is Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment is the specific period of time each year during which you may enroll eligible dependents not presently covered, change insurance carriers, and enroll in one or more Tax$ave programs including the unreimbursed medical flexible spending account and the dependent care flexible spending account.
- When is Open Enrollment?
This year’s Open Enrollment period is the month of October. If you wish to make health and/or dental insurance changes, all State Health Benefits Program Applications and supporting documentation must be returned to Payroll Services, ASB Room 317, 65 Davidson Road, Busch Campus, no later than Friday, October 26, 2007.
- When do plan changes go into effect?
January 1, 2008
- If I don’t want to make any changes do I need to do anything?
No, if you wish to continue your current medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage.
Yes, if you wish to participate in the Tax$ave (flexible spending accounts) program for 2008. You must enroll in the Tax$ave program each year.
Yes, to waive participation in the Premium Option Plan (to waive pretax health insurance payroll deductions) for 2008. You must complete a Premium Option Waiver Form each year.
- What changes have been made for health/prescription contributions?
On July 1, 2007, contribution rates for medical and prescription coverage changed. The new contribution for employees electing medical and/or prescription coverage through the State Health Benefit Program is 1.5 percent of annual base salary, regardless of plan choice and level of coverage. For more information on this change, visit the FAQ page. Medical rates for employees not yet contributing 1.5 percent of annual base salary are available by clicking here.
- Are there any dental plan changes for 2008?
Four of the State Health Benefits Program’s Dental Plan Organizations (DPOs) will not be renewed for 2008. These are Assurant, Dental Group of New Jersey, Flagship, and Group Dental Health Administrators. Employees who are enrolled in these DPO plans must select from the remaining DPO options and complete a new State Health Benefits Program Dental Application if they wish to continue dental coverage.
- What are the changes to the Flexible Spending Account plans for 2008?
The Tax$ave program will change administrators on January 1, 2008, from Horizon Healthcare to Fringe Benefits Management Company (FBMC). Participants in the unreimbursed medical spending account and dependent care spending account for 2007 will still have until March 15, 2008, to incur eligible expenses for 2007 elections, and will have until April 30, 2008, to submit for reimbursement with Horizon Healthcare. Any employees electing the plan(s) for 2008 must do so with FBMC during Open Enrollment.
The annual maximum election for medical flexible spending accounts increased from $2,000 to $2,500.For more information, please visit the Tax$ave FAQ page. A representative from FBMC will be available to provide more information and answer questions during the “Working For U” Benefit and Resource Fairs.
- Are any health plan changes expected in 2008?
The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits plans to implement a PPO health plan on April 1, 2008, which will replace the Traditional and NJ Plus plans at that time. A special enrollment period will be held in the spring of 2008.
- Can I switch to the Traditional Plan?
Based on rules established by the State Health Benefits Commission and collective bargaining agreements, employees hired on or after July 1, 2003, cannot enroll in the Traditional Plan.
- As a full-time employee, how do I make changes to medical and/or dental coverage?
Complete a NJ State Health Benefits Program Medical Application and/or a NJ State Health Benefits Program Dental Application and return to: Payroll Services, ASB, Room 317, 65 Davidson Road, Busch Campus, no later than October 26, 2007. Include supporting documentation such as marriage license, certificate of domestic partnership, civil union certificate, or affidavit of dependency, if applicable.
- As a full-time employee, how do I enroll or make changes to Tax$ave options?
Flexible spending accounts:
- Complete a FSA Election Form and mail to Fringe Benefits Management Company postmarked no later than October 31, 2007
- Enroll online between October 1 and October 31, 2007
- Call Fringe Benefits Management Company at 1-866-440-7150 between October 1 and October 31, 2007
Premium Option Plan Waiver:
- Complete POP Declination form and return to: Payroll Services, ASB room 317, 65 Davidson Road, Busch Campus, no later than October 27.
- As a part-time employee, am I eligible to enroll in State Health Benefits? What is the procedure?
Part-time employees who are members of a state-administered pension program (PERS, ABP), and their eligible dependents, may enroll in NJ PLUS and the Employee Prescription Drug Plan. You will be required to pay full group rates for part-time employees. To enroll, complete a Part-Time Employee Group State Health Benefits Program Application and send the application to: Payroll Services, ASB, Room 317, 65 Davidson Road, Busch Campus, no later than October 26, 2007. Include supporting documentation such as marriage license, certificate of domestic partnership, civil union certificate, or affidavit of dependency, if applicable.
- I am a part-time employee. Can I enroll in a Flexible Spending Account?
No, only full-time employees are eligible to enroll in the Tax$ave flexible spending account programs.
- How do I enroll my same sex domestic or civil union partner?
You must first obtain a Civil Union Certificate or Domestic Partner Certificate, or a valid certification from another jurisdiction that recognizes same-sex civil unions or domestic partnerships. Complete a State Health Benefits Program Medical Application and a State Health Benefits Program Dental Application and mail the completed applications, along with a copy of the Certificate, to: Payroll Services, ASB, Room 317, 65 Davidson Road, Busch Campus, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
- What are the tax consequences of enrolling a same sex domestic partner?
The federal tax code does not recognize a domestic partner as a dependent for tax purposes. Therefore, Rutgers is required to treat domestic partner benefits as taxable to you and withhold federal income, social security, and Medicare taxes on its value unless you provide a certification to Payroll Services that your domestic partner meets the federal tax code criteria as a dependent. You can use the Domestic Partner Employee Tax Certification form for this purpose.
- When is an Affidavit of Dependency required?
An Affidavit of Dependency is required when an employee:
- is requesting coverage for a child that has a different last name,
- if marital status is divorced or single and the child resides with the employee,
- if child does not live with the employee,
- or if coverage is requested for a stepchild, foster child, newly adopted child, guardianship case or ward.
- When is a marriage certificate required?
A copy of a marriage certificate is required when enrolling a legally married spouse in State Health Benefits for the first time.
- If one of my dependents loses health insurance due to a change in employment status, am I required to wait until Open Enrollment to add him or her?
No, complete a State Health Benefits Program Application within 30 days of the event. Obtain a letter from the employer verifying end of coverage and the reason. Forward all documents to the person in your department who handles payroll matters.
- Is the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits planning future changes to the State Health Benefits Plan?
Yes, the State Health Benefits Commission has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and for HMO plans. The Traditional and NJ Plus plans will be combined into a single PPO. The HMO plan offering may also change based on the results of the RFP. It is anticipated that in addition to the regular October open enrollment, there will be a special open enrollment period for SHBP members in the spring of 2008 once the plan offerings have been finalized. More information will be provided as it becomes available from the Division of Pensions and Benefits.
- Do I need to be enrolled in active employee health to be offered retiree health benefits upon my retirement?
No. Any employee who directly retires from a position that is eligible for employee health coverage will be offered retiree health coverage upon retirement. The premium cost sharing for retirees is based on number of years of pension credited service with the State of New Jersey.
