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The Human Resources Web, which is available on the Administration and Index pages of ColumbiaWeb. |
Attention Employees: Open Enrollment for Health Care and Other Benefits Is Nov. 3-14By Rob Pfeifer he Human Resources Benefits Office has announced this year's Open Enrollment period will run from Nov. 3 to 14. This two-week period is a once-a-year opportunity for Columbia employees to re-evaluate their current health-care, dental and University Spending Account (USA) elections and, if they wish, make changes.
All changes made during the two-week period will be in effect for the upcoming year: Jan. 1, 1998 through Dec. 31, 1998. To help employees determine whether they need or want to make changes to their health-care, dental and USA elections, the benefits office has assembled a variety of information sources:
The personalized statements and guidebooks will be mailed within the next few weeks. Robin Church, director of the benefits office, urges each employee to review these materials carefully. "When it comes to benefits coverage there is no one formula to determine what's 'right,'" Church says. "That's why each individual really needs to assess personal factors such as age, lifestyle and tolerance for risk when determining the desired level of coverage." Church offers an initial outline to guide people on whether they need or wish to participate in the Open Enrollment period: If an employee is satisfied with medical coverage and does not want to change it, he or she does not have to participate. Similarly, if an employee does not want to participate in a University Spending Account, her or she does not have to participate. All coverage from this year will carry over uninterrupted through next year. If an employee wants to sign up for one or both of the University Spending Accounts, he or she must participate in the Open Enrollment period. Likewise, if an employee wants to change from his or her existing medical carrier or HMO, he or she must participate in Open Enrollment. Employees must also participate in Open Enrollment if they are adding or dropping dependents. Church also encourages all employees to attend one of the four Benefits Fairs being held the week of Oct. 27 (see chart). Representatives from all available plans as well as informed counselors from the Benefits Office will be on hand to answer employees' specific questions and concerns. No changes will be accepted or processed after Open Enrollment ends at the close of business, Fri., Nov. 14. "The Benefits Office is committed to providing timely and accurate information about the benefits that Columbia offers," Church says. "Our benefits are designed to fit together into a comprehensive package and it takes some time for individuals to determine what's right for them, so I really urge all employees to read their materials sooner rather than later." Employees with questions concerning their benefits and the Open Enrollment period are encouraged to contact their local HR staff or to call the benefits office directly at 870-3074 or 870-2286.
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