Benefits Open Enrollment FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL ENROLLMENT
When is Open Enrollment? Do I have to make changes?
What’s new for 2024?
How do I make my elections?
Can I cover all my children or other family members?
Can employees have Benefitfocus open on multiple browsers while completing open enrollment?
How can I designate a trust as my beneficiary in Benefitfocus?
Can I make updates to my elections after I have completed?
I am needing to update my personal information. How do I make updates?
What is PrudentRx? Am I eligible?
MEDICAL
Where can I find a provider?
How can I get paid by researching a provider or test/procedure?
What information should be considered for employees who are 65 or nearing age 65 who are in the HDHP or considering the HDHP?
I’m going to retire next year. How should I handle my HSA?
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
What if an employee has questions about drug pricing?
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS
Who manages the Flexible Spending Accounts for Baylor employees?
What is the max for FSA limit for 2024?
I am enrolled in the PPO Plan for 2023 and have an FSA. I will be switching to the HDHP starting January 1, 2024. What happens to my unused FSA balance?
OTHER BENEFIT TOPICS
I’m a 10-month faculty paid over 12 months. Why can’t I pay my premiums over 12 months?
What premiums are affected for 10-month faculty?
Where can I access the 2024 On Demand Webinar?
What if I have more questions?
Answers
GENERAL ENROLLMENT
When is Open Enrollment? Do I have to make changes?
Annual enrollment will run from Tuesday, October 17 thru Tuesday, October 31. The benefit elections that you make during this enrollment period will be effective on January 1, 2024. This year is an active enrollment, which means that you are required to login and make elections for the 2024 plan year.
What’s new for 2024?
There are no plan design changes for 2024 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 2024 due to IRS guidelines. The HDHP deductible will be $1,600 for individual coverage and $3,200 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 2024, Baylor's dental plan will 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 2024 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 2024 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 Guidance Resources. The phone number is 1.888.628.4844. They can also log into www.guidanceresources.com and use the web ID PFGEAP for Baylor University. They can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help with Medicare questions.
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 BenefitWallet 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 Guidance Resources. The phone number is 1.888.628.4844. You may also log into www.guidanceresources.com and use the web ID PFGEAP for Baylor University. Please let us know how we may be of additional service to you.
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.
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 2024?
The IRS has not released the annual limits for 2024 at this time. Employees wanting to elect in FSA for 2024 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 2023 and have an FSA. I will be switching to the HDHP starting January 1, 2024. What happens to my unused FSA balance?
If you are switching from the PPO to the HDHP in 2024, you will want to make sure you exhaust 100% of your FSA funds prior to December 31, 2023. If there is a remaining balance in your FSA at December 31, 2023, you will not be able to receive Baylor’s HSA contribution or make your own HSA contributions until the first payroll following April 1, 2024.
OTHER BENEFIT TOPICS
All faculty members with a signed 10-month contract pay annual insurance premiums and HSA and FSA contributions over 10 pay periods. No insurance premiums, FSA or HSA contributions will be collected in June and July and insurance benefits will continue during these months. Faculty members returning in August will resume their insurance premium payments, HSA and FSA contributions at that time.
If a faculty member's employment with Baylor ends on May 31, his or her insurance coverage will end on May 31. They will receive a refund of the excess insurance premiums paid from January through May.
Everything insurance-related (insurance premiums, HSA and FSA contributions) will run on a 10-month schedule and will NOT come out of paychecks in June/July even if those faculty have earnings in those months. All retirement contribution to the 403(b) and 457(b) plans WILL come out of paychecks anytime they have eligible earnings.
Where can I access the 2024 On Demand Benefits Webinar?
To access the 2024 On Demand Benefits Webinar, please use this link. You can also access this video at https://www.brainshark.com/1/player/aonrs?fb=0&r3f1=&custom=baylor2024benefits.
What if I have more questions?
If you have more questions after reading the 2024 Benefits Open Enrollment materials, please contact Baylor Human Resources by emailing benefitenrollment@baylor.edu or by calling 254.710.2000.
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.
