Benefits Open Enrollment FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL ENROLLMENT
When is Open Enrollment? Do I have to make changes?
Annual enrollment will run from Tuesday, October 15 until Tuesday, October 29. The benefit elections that you make during this enrollment period will be effective on January 1, 2025. This year is an active enrollment, which means that you are required to log in and make elections for the 2025 plan year.
What’s new for 2025?
There are no plan design changes for 2025 to the Baylor Health Plan. You will continue to have the same health plan options to choose from (PPO & HDHP).
HDHP deductibles will change in 2025 due to IRS guidelines. The HDHP deductible will be $1,650 for individual coverage and $3,300 for family coverage. There are not changes to out-pocket-maximums, PPO medical and prescription co-pays or PPO deductibles. Be sure to review your plan elections and premiums and select the best option for you and your family.
For 2025, Baylor's dental plan will continue to be administered through UnitedHealthcare Dental PPO. Additionally, both the HSA and FSA will be managed by HSA Bank.
How do I make my elections?
To enroll in your benefits this year and ongoing you will use the Benefitfocus enrollment system. You will log-in using your BearID and password.
Can I cover all my children or other family members?
Yes. Please refer to the 2025 Benefits Guide for the definition of an eligible spouse and dependents who can be covered.
Can employees have Benefitfocus open on multiple browsers while completing open enrollment?
No. If an employee has more than one browser or tab open with OE on it before they submit their elections, it will cause an error with their completion.
How can I designate a trust as my beneficiary in Benefitfocus?
Please follow the instructions in this guide to add a beneficiary in Benefitfocus.
Can I make updates to my elections after I have completed?
Yes, during the Open Enrollment period, you can click on the edit elections on the homepage to make updates/corrections to your elections.
I am needing to update my personal information. How do I make updates?
Employees can make updates to their personal information by logging into Ignite and updating their personal tab under "Me".
What is PrudentRx? Am I eligible?
If you are taking specialty medications for a chronic or complex condition (like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or cancer), you know how costly they can be – and that the cost continues to rise. Because we want to make sure you can get the medications you need at an affordable cost, the PrudentRx program was implemented so that your out-of-pocket cost for specialty medications is $0.
To participate, all you need to do is enroll and be enrolled in either the PPO or HDHP Plan. You'll pay $0 for any medication on the Specialty Drug List for as long as you're enrolled. If enrolled in the HDHP, you will be required to first meet your deductible before your $0 cost share applies.
PrudentRx works with manufacturers to get copay card assistance for your medication. Once you get started, they'll manage enrollment and renewals on your behalf. But even if there is no copay card program available for your medication, your cost will be $0 for as long as you are enrolled in the program.
MEDICAL
Where can I find a provider?
Through the UMR Cares Program, you will have resources to assist you with locating an in network provider and get the most out of your health benefits. To connect with UMR, call 877.370.8951.
How can I get paid by researching a provider or test/procedure?
That program is called CareSearch Reward$ and it’s provided by UMR. You can contact a representative at 877.521.8951.
Where can I find a summary of benefits?
You can find the available summary of benefits by logging into Benefitfocus or viewing the 2025 Benefits Guide.
What information should be considered for employees who are 65 or nearing age 65 who are in the HDHP or considering the HDHP?
If an employee is age 65, they can enroll in the HDHP plan. They can also receive the BU HSA contribution and make personal contributions to the HSA as long as they are not enrolled in another form of insurance like Medicare. To participate in the HSA, they would need to decline enrollment in Medicare. This may not be an option for someone who is 65 and wanting to receive social security income as they must be enrolled in Medicare Part A for this.
If an employee is in the HDHP plan or considering enrolling in the HDHP plan, they will want to make sure they understand how the HSA contributions should work as they approach their Medicare Part A enrollment. Employees making HSA contributions should cease these contributions at least 6 months before they plan to enroll in Medicare Part A. This is due to Medicare Part A providing 6 months of retroactive benefits, not going back farther than their initial month of eligibility. This retroactive coverage could cause them to pay a tax penalty on their HSA contributions that were made 6 months prior to enrolling in Medicare.
The HSA limit is prorated based on the number of months during the year the employee is eligible to make HSA contributions. For example, if they enroll in Medicare effective July 1st, their HSA contribution limit will be half of the annual limit.
If an employee enrolls in Medicare but has an HSA account balance, they can continue to use those funds for medical expenses they are just not allowed to contribute new money to the HSA.
We will want to encourage employees to speak to their tax or financial advisor if they need more guidance regarding Medicare. There are free tax advisor resources through our Employee Assistance Program at Optum. The phone number is 1.866.248.4096. They can also log into https://www.liveandworkwell.com/en/public and use the access code Bears. They can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help with Medicare questions.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
What if an employee has questions about drug pricing?
Members may always call CVS at 866.260.4646 to get immediate assistance with pricing questions.
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
I’m going to retire next year. How should I handle my HSA?
The HSA Store has a good primer on using your HSA Funds after age 65. The excise tax is 6% of the total dollar amount that you defer into your HSA during the six months preceding enrollment into Medicare.
Example: If you have $10,000 in your HSA, and during the 6-month period prior to enrolling into Medicare you defer an additional $1,000, that $1,000 is considered an excess contribution. Only that $1,000 will be subject to the excise tax. If that happens to you, you will need to call HSA Bank and ask them to return that $1,000 to you. You will incur the 6% excise tax on that excess deferral. While you are encouraged to consult your own tax advisor, you may also take advantage of a free tax advisor through our Employee Assistance Program at Optum. The phone number is 1.866.248.4096. They can also log into https://www.liveandworkwell.com/en/public and use the access code Bears. Please let us know how we may be of additional service to you.
I am enrolled in the HDHP Plan for 2024 and have an HSA. I will be switching to the PPO starting January 1, 2025. What happens to my unused HSA balance?
HSA funds are not forfeited and will remain in your HSA Bank account. You will be able to access these funds until the balance reaches zero. There will no additional contributions made to your HSA after December 2024.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
Who manages the Flexible Spending Accounts for Baylor employees?
The FSA is managed by HSA Bank. You can access your FSA account at myaccounts.hsabank.com.
What is the max for FSA limit for 2025?
The IRS has not released the annual limits for 2025 at this time. Employees wanting to elect in FSA for 2025 at the max can put $3,200. Anyone who elected a different number before the announcement will be contacted to see if they want to increase to the actual max.
I am enrolled in the PPO Plan for 2024 and have an FSA. I will be switching to the HDHP starting January 1, 2025. What happens to my unused FSA balance?
If you are switching from the PPO to the HDHP in 2025, you will want to make sure you exhaust 100% of your FSA funds prior to December 31, 2024. If there is a remaining balance in your FSA at December 31, 2024, you will not be able to receive Baylor’s HSA contribution or make your own HSA contributions until the first payroll following April 1, 2025.
This FAQ is intended as a reference guide, summarizing key aspects of open enrollment and is not designed to provide information on individual scenarios or special circumstances. In the event that anything in this document contradicts a policy or benefit plan document, the policy or plan document will govern. Policies are subject to change, with or without notice.
