The UC Merced Faculty and Staff Open Enrollment Benefits Fair is an annual fall tradition. RSVP by Oct. 19, and the Human Resources Benefits Office will even have lunch ready for you.
The event will go from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, in the Joseph E. Gallo Recreation and Wellness Center.
Open enrollment begins at 8 a.m. Oct. 26 and ends at 5 p.m. Nov. 21. During this time, employees can make changes to their benefits and to elect Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts for the 2018 fund year. Changes made during Open Enrollment become effective Jan. 1, 2018. Though benefits information is readily available online, it doesn’t compare with the individualized attention available at the Open Enrollment Benefits Fair.
In addition to lunch for those who RSVP by Oct. 19, the fair allows faculty and staff to meet individual benefits vendors, discuss insurance coverage and plans with carrier representatives, talk with UC Merced Benefits Office staff about the variety of available options for employees and to participate in free wellness screenings.
Examples of actions staff can take during Open Enrollment include:
- Change medical plans
- Change dental plans
- Opt out of medical, dental, and/or vision coverage – or enroll if you’re not covered this plan year
- Enroll eligible family members in your health plans
- Cancel coverage for enrolled family members
- Enroll or re-enroll in Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
- Enroll or re-enroll in the Health Care Reimbursement Account
- Enroll or cancel your enrollment in the Tax Savings on Insurance Premium (TIP) program
- Enroll in the ARAG Legal Plan – an opportunity not offered every year
For additional information, contact the Benefits Office at 209-228-2363 or emailbenefits@ucmerced.edu.
