Open Enrollment Begins at GW


October 11, 2010

The university’s open enrollment period for a variety of benefits—medical, dental, flexible spending accounts, insurance and now vision—begins today and continues through Nov. 5. Most changes employees make to their benefits will be effective Jan. 1, 2011.

“In an effort to continuously improve services and provide additional health and welfare benefit offerings to GW employees, UnitedHealthcare was selected to replace CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield and CIGNA,” according to Louis Lemieux, GW’s chief human resources officer.

The department and GW’s Benefits Administrations department conducted an “intensive review” of health care providers and hired an external consultant to request proposals from providers. “This process was used to ensure that GW employees receive the highest level of service at a competitive price,” said Jennifer Lopez, executive director of GW’s Tax, Payroll and Benefits Administration.

According to Ms. Lopez, the external consultant and the GW departments evaluated the four providers who submitted proposals—Aetna, Carefirst, CIGNA and UnitedHealthcare—and, based on “fair and objective criteria,” decided on UnitedHealthcare.

“It scored the highest and will provide enhanced, nationwide network coverage,” she said. “Most importantly, all employees will be able to keep their current doctors if they so choose.”

Additions to the medical plans for 2011 include a voluntary vision program, coverage for opposite sex domestic partners (previously the university covered same-sex domestic partners only), and, through certain plans, assistance with infertility up to $30,000. Due to changes in health care legislation, dependents who are not eligible for any other health insurance will now be covered up to age 26 regardless of marital status, and mental health co-pays will be reduced to $25.

Employees who do not want to change their current health insurance plan type (PPO, POS, HMO) do not have to re-enroll, they will be automatically moved to the corresponding plans under UnitedHealthcare. However, due to laws governing flexible spending accounts (FSA) – employees must actively enroll in their FSA in order to contribute pre-tax income for health care and/or dependent care expenses for 2011.

As a result of health care reform, over-the-counter medications (except for insulin) are no longer eligible expenses to be paid with FSA dollars without a doctor’s prescription. For more information, review the 2011 Open Enrollment benefits guide for faculty and staff at financeoffice.gwu.edu/benefits.

Human Resources and Benefits Administration will be sponsoring three open enrollment benefits fairs in which employees can speak directly with their plan providers: on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Marvin Center Continental Ballroom, on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Executive Dining Area on the Virginia Campus and on Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom.

Beginning today, employees can log on to the open enrollment system benedetails.gwu.edu/openenrollment to change, review or select new benefits. The Faculty and Staff Service Center, located on the ground floor of Rice Hall on the Foggy Bottom Campus, also begins expanded hours today and is open at 7:30 a.m., half an hour early, every Monday and Thursday for the duration of open enrollment. GW benefits specialists can be reached at 888-4GWUBEN (888-449-8236). The call center will also offer extended hours during open enrollment from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.