You’ll want to review your health benefits now as annual open enrollment begins April 30. You’ll be able to tweak your health plan, change your insurance election or sign up for a tax-free Flexible Spending Account. There are a few changes on the horizon that you’ll want to be aware of before this window of opportunity closes.
In addition to our current two medical plan options — Kaiser HMO and UnitedHealthcare POS plans — ACPS will be adding UnitedHealthcare QHP with Health Savings Account. This plan differs from the others in that you will have a Health Savings Account with ACPS contributing $600 per year ($1,200 if you cover one or more dependents). You can also contribute more to the Health Savings Account on a pre-tax basis. Some advantages of this plan are: a lower premium than traditional medical plans, your contributions are not taxed, and you can carry over unused funds year to year and keep the funds even if you change jobs. You will need to enroll during open enrollment to choose a different plan.
There will be a few premium rate changes coming this year. Administrators participating in either the UnitedHealthcare POS or Kaiser HMO will see an increase in their health insurance deductions due to an increase in their required contributions, from 16% to 20%. All support employees, including those with grade 25 or higher will pay 10% of premiums. Administrators and Support Employees Grade 25 or higher must enroll online via Employee Self Service (ESS) even if you have no changes in your health plans. Affected employees will receive an email from HRBenefits to enroll online via ESS.
You are invited to visit with Human Resources staff and benefit plan representatives at Open Enrollment Meetings for personalized attention and assistance with benefit questions and enrollment. Representatives from Kaiser, UnitedHealthcare, CareFirst, EyeMed, and 403(b) and 457 plan vendors, including ICMA-RC, the defined contribution plan administrator for the Virginia Retirement System Hybrid plan, will be in attendance.
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend one of the following sessions:
- T.C. Williams High School Cafeteria, Tuesday, April 30, from 3 to 6 pm
- George Washington Middle School Cafeteria, Tuesday, May 7, from 3 to 6 pm
- Central Office School Board Room, Thursday, May 16, from 3 to 6 pm
- Hammond Middle School Cafeteria, Wednesday, May 22, from 3 to 6 pm
Have questions about Open Enrollment?
Please email HRBenefits@acps.k12.va.us.
For more information visit the ACPS Employee Benefits web page.