Announcing Faculty and Staff Benefits Enhancements and Changes for 2019

GW introduces new voluntary benefit offerings in response to feedback; open enrollment begins Oct. 8.

September 12, 2018

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Faculty and staff will have the opportunity to change benefits elections during the annual open enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 8 through Oct. 26. Most changes will take effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

The university will continue to offer two plans administered by United Healthcare for health care benefits in 2019 while decreasing or limiting increases to employees’ monthly premiums.

All benefits-eligible faculty and staff received information on 2019 benefits by email. The information is also available online.

Health care

The university will continue to offer the GW PPO and the GW Health Savings Plan (HSP). After consultation with the Benefits Advisory Committee of faculty and staff, leadership committees and the university’s benefits consultants, the university determined it would adjust the current salary bands used to determine employees’ contributions to their plan. These adjustments will expand the distribution of employees across salary bands, increase differentiation in contribution rates between bands and adjust for employee enrollment in each plan.

As a result of these adjustments, 52 percent of full-time plan participants will experience no change or a reduction in their contributions, with an average decrease of about 9 percent. About 48 percent will see an increase.

While the average increase is about 10 percent, no employee’s contribution will increase by more than 0.5 percent of his or her benefits-eligible salary, the result of efforts to keep plan rates manageable for employees in the midst of rising national health care costs.

Also, beginning in 2019, participants in both plans will have access to the Real Appeal weight loss program, a virtual resource with online coaching and interactive weekly videos that helps individuals make small changes for long-term health results.

For the HSP, the in-network family out-of-pocket maximum will increase by $550, from $7,350 to $7,900. In addition, the health savings account (HSA) contribution limits will also increase for 2019. GW’s HSA matching contributions will continue and remain the same.

Dental

The university will continue to offer three Aetna dental plans: a DMO as well as high and low PPOs. For 2019, GW has negotiated savings ranging from $3 to $11 per month for the high PPO and low PPO, and savings of $6 to $17 per month for the DMO.

Other highlights for 2019

  • Through Nationwide, GW will offer a suite of pet insurance plans that aim to provide savings on veterinarian bills, wellness benefits and access to a 24/7 veterinarian-staffed hotline.
  • GW will offer InfoArmor identity theft protection, which includes identity monitoring, three credit bureau monitoring and social media and financial protections.
  • GW will increase tuition remission coverage for employees pursuing their first undergraduate degree from 90 percent to 100 percent of six credit hours per semester (fall, spring and summer).

Preparing for open enrollment

Before Oct. 8, update your login information by visiting EasyEnroll, which will now have an added layer of security by using multi-factor authentication. Beginning Oct. 8, log in to the open enrollment system to view your benefits and make changes for 2019.

More information

In the coming weeks, more information about 2019 benefits will become available as the open enrollment period approaches, including a comprehensive guide with details of 2019 benefits offerings and contributions.

The university will also offer information sessions and open enrollment fairs to provide faculty and staff the opportunity to learn more about their benefits, ask questions and meet with vendors:

“How to Pick a Medical Plan” seminars
Hosted by United Healthcare, these seminars will provide an overview of the university’s medical plans, including comparisons of the GW PPO and GW HSP, and include a Q & A session.

Foggy Bottom, Marvin Center Room 307
Sept. 25: noon-1 p.m.

Virtual (via WebEx)*
Sept. 26: noon-1 p.m.

Benefits information sessions
Learn and ask questions about 2019 benefits changes.

Virginia Science and Technology Campus, Exploration Hall Room 101
Sept. 18: 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Foggy Bottom, Marvin Center Betts Theatre
Sept. 27: 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Virtual (via WebEx)*
Oct. 3: 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

Open enrollment fairs
Meet GW’s benefits vendors and partners, ask questions and receive assistance with the benefits enrollment process.

Foggy Bottom, Marvin Center Grand Ballroom
Oct. 10: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Oct. 24: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Virginia Science and Technology Campus, Enterprise Hall Room 175
Oct. 17: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
* WebEx/dial-in information is available.

For questions in advance of the 2019 open enrollment period, please contact the Benefits Call Center at 1-888-4GWUBEN (449-8236), visit the Benefits website or send an email