Benefits open enrollment period runs through Oct. 28

October 7, 2005

This year’s benefits open-enrollment period for University of Florida employees kicked off Oct. 3 and ends Oct. 28.

Open enrollment is the only period during which changes to pretax employee benefits can be made unless employees have a qualifying event (e.g., change in marital status, birth, adoption). Any changes they make to elections will be effective Jan. 1, 2006.

A benefits fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 and 19 in the Reitz Student Union Grand Ballroom. Representatives from vendors will be available to answer questions about a variety of benefits, and attendees may register for a chance to win prizes. Hourly information sessions on the new health plans will be offered on Oct. 18 in Room 347 and on Oct. 19 in Room 287.

Employees can visit the open enrollment page to learn about how they can access, enroll in, or make changes to benefits; highlights of changes to health and supplemental insurance for 2006; and a list of the mailings they should have received from People First.

Benefits for university employees may include state- or UF-sponsored plans, or a combination of both, depending on the selections they have already made. Only those plans designated “state-sponsored” can be changed online through the People First Web site. Enrollments and changes for UF plans must be made by completing the appropriate enrollment forms and returning them to University Benefits and Retirement or the nearest HRS satellite office.

The following plans fall under this year’s open-enrollment period:

Health insurance

  • State employees’ PPO plan
  • HMO health plans
  • NEW Health Investor Plan PPO & HMO

Life insurance

  • Basic term life and accidental death and dismemberment plan
  • Optional term life and accidental death and dismemberment plan

Supplemental health insurance

  • Hospital income
  • Cancer
  • Intensive care
  • Dental
  • Short-term disability
  • Accident/accidental death
  • Vision

Reimbursement accounts

  • Medical reimbursement
  • Dependent care reimbursement
  • Limited Purpose Medical Reimbursement
  • Health Savings Account

UF-sponsored plans

  • Direct Assignment/Reimbursement Dental (Eagles)
  • Long-Term Disability (including new 30-day elimination period)
  • UF Term Life Insurance

By now, employees should have received a userID and information on how to obtain a password as well as a current benefits statement from People First at their home address. Employees are asked to review the personal benefits statement carefully. If they note a discrepancy, please log on to the People First Web site to verify state-sponsored benefits. If they have questions or have not received a userID and password or a benefits statement, they should contact the People First Service Center at 1-866-ONE-HRFL (1-866-633-4735) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Still have questions? Visit the University Benefits section of UF’s Office of Human Resource Services Web site, stop by a human resources satellite office or University Benefits’ office at 422 Stadium West, or contact University Benefits at 392-1225 (SC 622-1225) or benefits@ufl.edu.