This page is under construction. Please come back in early April. Benefits will send out an announcement once the website is finalized.

 

Open Enrollment

April 15 - May 3, 2024

 
 

 

Welcome to FY25 Open Enrollment!

Please read through the website before initiating your form. There are several resources available to you - including both live and recorded training - to help guide you through Open Enrollment. If you have any questions on Open Enrollment, please reach out to benefits at ua-benefits@alaska.edu or (907) 450-8242.

If you are updating your benefits during Open Enrollment
The updates that you make to your benefits tday will be effective on July 1, 2024 and will be valid until June 30, 2025, unless you experience a qualifying life event and are able to make changes mid-year. Please keep in mind some benefits are evergreen - meaning once you elect the benefits, they remain in place until you elect to make a change during Open Enrollment or during a life event. Some benefits require active enrollment each year, including any Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). 

NEW BENEFIT! How to sign up for MASA Voluntary Benefits
(See Plan Changes or Supplemental Life below for more information on MASA.)

  • Use your UA SSO to access these benefits at URL. The SSO and MASA site will be active for Open Enrollment from April 15th to May 3rd, 2024.
  • You cannot sign up for these benefits via the open enrollment form.  
  • These benefits are post-tax benefits and paid through self-bill; they are not paid from payroll deduction.

How to sign up/update Corestream Voluntary Benefits
(See Supplemental Life below for more information on Corestream.)

  • Use your UA SSO to access these benefits at https://alaskaedu.corestream.com. The SSO and Corestream site will be active for Open Enrollment from April 15th to May 3rd, 2024.
  • You cannot sign up for these benefits via the open enrollment form.  
  • These benefits are post-tax benefits and are paid through payroll deduction.

Who Submits a Form

Submit a form if you are...

→ Enrolling in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
If you would like to enroll in any FSA, you must complete an Open Enrollment form. FSA elections stop every year on June 30. 

→ Updating your benefits or dependents
If you are making changes to your coverages and/or your dependents (spouse/FIP and/or child(ren)) you must submit a form indicating these changes.

→ Enrolling in the new benefits available
If you are wanting to enroll in a Limited Purpose FSA or MASA, you will need to complete an Open Enrollment form.

What happens if no form is submitted?

No changes to your current benefits
If you do not submit a form, there will be no changes to your current coverage(s) and/or dependents (spouse, FIP, or children) as long as the dependents enrolled are still qualified dependents.

A quick note about Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)...

These accounts are enrolled in for the plan year only. If you are wanting any FSAs - medical, dependent care, or limited purpose - you must submit an Open Enrollment form. The FSA you elect during this year's Open Enrollment will be available to you from July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025, as long as you maintain active, benefit-eligible employement with the university.

No FSA
If you had any FSA last year and you do not submit a form, you will not have an FSA this year. FSA coverages must be enrolled in each year. If you would like an FSA, please submit a form even if you have no other changes you would like to make.

Review current coverages
If you need to review your current coverage(s), please review UAOnline

No form required
Forms are not required this year like they were last year. Forms only need to be submitted if you meet one of the two criteria listed above. 

UA Benefits will automatically update Supplemental Life Insurance age brackets should an employee and/or spouse age into the next bracket on July 1, 2024.

 


 

Preparing for Open Enrollment

 

Step 1 - Mark your calendar

Open Enrollment starts on Monday, April 15, and will run through May 3, 2024. All forms must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Alaska on May 3, 2024. Late forms will not be accepted.

Step 2  - Review current benefits and any new materials

Check your current benefits on UAOnline

  • Click on Employee Services > Benefits and Deductions > Health Insurance

Plan information and materials

NextGen form process document

Attend a training (or two!)

Step 3 - Know your plan

Open Enrollment is your time to...

  • enroll in any FSA for next plan year (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)
  • update your coverage(s)
  • update your spouse/FIP and/or child(ren)

Step 4 - Gather your documents

If you are adding a new dependent that you are not covering on your plan currently, you will be required to provide documentation when you complete the Open Enrollment form (i.e. marriage certificate, FIP affidavit, birth certificate, etc). Please be prepared with digital versions of any documentation before starting your Open Enrollment form. 


 

Education & Training

 

We are hosting several training sessions throughout Open Enrollment. Sign up for the training using the myUA links below or by reviewing our Benefits calendar.

 

TouchCare training

 

Benefits training

A note about TouchCare...

Who is TouchCare?
TouchCare is your health care advocate.

What can TouchCare do?
Need more personal help deciding on what plan is right for you? TouchCare can assist! You can schedule a 30-minute consultation with one of their specialists. Contact them today for questions surrounding Open Enrollment, provider searches, billing issues, price transparency, and more.

How to reach TouchCare


 

Plan Changes

Limited Purpose FSA


This year, UA Benefits is offering a Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LP FSA). 

HDHP & HSA members ONLY
The LP FSA can only be elected by employees who are enrolled in the HDHP and are simultaneously enrolled in and contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA). This allows HSA contributors to keep funds in their HSA for continued growth. 

Approved uses
This account can only be used for dental and vision expenses ONLY.

Funding the account
  • Funds in the LP FSA are use-it-or-lose-it, just like all other FSAs. Whatever funds are not used by June 30, 2025, will be forfeited.
  • The LP FSA must be enrolled in each year. If you choose to enroll this year, coverage will cease on June 30, 2025, unless an Open Enrollment form is submitted in April 2025.
  • The LP FSA has a maximum contribution of $3,050 for calendar year 2024 per the IRS. 
Training on the new benefit can be found on myUA.



MASA Air and Ground Emergency Transportation


UA Benefits has expanded our supplemental coverage and this year will be offering MASA - An Emergency Air and Ground Transportation Solution.

Benefit-eligible employees eligible
This benefit will be offered to all benefit eligible employees.*

Direct bill between MASA and employees
The MASA benefit will be a direct bill between MASA and Employees. This benefit is not currently offered through payroll deduction.

How to use benefits
Just call 800-643-9023! The MASA Transport Team is available 24/7/365 to assist you and will begin making the
necessary arrangements, including working with your medical team.

* Employees who live in New York and New Jersey are not eligible for this benefit currently due to state restrictions.

Training on the new benefit can be found on myUA. 

Updates to Deductibles and Premiums


COMING SOON!

 

 


 

Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, and Vision Resources and Rates

 

Medical Plan Resources & Rates

  • Medical plan rates
  • Premium Medical Plan Summary
  • Basic Medical Plan Summary
  • HDHP w/Optional HSA Medical Plan Summary

Pharmacy Plan Resources & Rates

Dental Plan Resources & Rates
Vision Plan Resources & Rates


 

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) 

 

 

HSA

You are able to enroll in or update your HSA at any time during the plan year as long as you are otherwise eligible. 

 

 

 

 

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Contribution limits in calendar year 2024 (January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024)

    • $4,150 for an individual
    • $8,300 for a family
    • $1,000 additional catch-up if over 55

Resources

Health Care FSA

You are required to enroll during Open Enrollment if you want a HC FSA from July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. Full amount elected available on day 1.

Health Care FSA (HC FSA)

Contribution limits in plan year 2024 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)

    • $3,200 in a Health Care FSA

Resources

Dependent Care FSA

You are required to enroll during Open Enrollment if you want a HC FSA from July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. Account contains only contributions you have made so far in the plan year.

Dependent Care FSA (DC FSA)

Contribution limits in plan year 2024 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)

    • $5,000 in a Dependent Care FSA

Resources

Limited Purpose FSA

You are required to enroll during Open Enrollment if you want a LP FSA from July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. Full amount elected available on day 1. You must be enrolled in a HDHP and contributing to an HSA at the same time to be eligible for the LP FSA.

NEW BENEFIT! Limited Purpose FSA (LP FSA)

Contribution limits in plan year 2024 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)

    • $3,200 in a Limited Purpose FSA 

Resources



Supplemental Life Resources and Rates

 

Voluntary Benefits - Powered by Corestream

Hartford Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Protect yourself with (1) Accident, (2) Critical Illness and (3) Hospital Indemnity Insurance with Hartford to  help provide financial support so you can focus on what’s important – getting better! You can enroll in each of these three coverages separately. This includes:

    • a lump sum payment made directly to you
    • ability to use the money to cover deductibles, childcare, daily expenses, or anything else you see fit
    • a group rate savings on coverage for you and your eligible family members

Legalshield Legal Insurance
Having legal insurance can help you be prepared for any legal undertakings. This includes:

    • 24/7 direct access to a dedicated law firm
    • document review and preparation, wills, trusts, traffic matters and more
    • convenient mobile app for easy legal access, document upload and support

Allstate Identity Theft
You don't have to face identity theft alone. With Allstate, you can:

    • enroll yourself and your family in identity theft protection
    • have peace of mind with social, credit and identity monitoring
    • access digital exposure reports
    • and enjoy full service, U.S.-based remediation support

ASPCA Pet Insurance (not available thru payroll deduction)
Protect your pet and your wallet with affordable pet health insurance. This includes:

    • a choice of reimbursement options and customizable plans
    • coverage for accidents, illnesses, preventative care and more
    • the ability to see any licensed vet, specialist, or emergency clinic you want

Need something extra?
Discover great deals on everything from cars and computers to theme parks and hotels. This includes: 

    • hundreds of discounts
    • local and national retailers
    • new deals added every month

Rates

    • Rates vary depending on the product you are enrolling in

Resources

MASA Air and Ground Emergency Transportation

Rates

MASA Highlights



Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

Rates

Coverage Type Bi-weekly
Deduction
Annual Cost
Employee Only $2.64 $68.40
Employee + Family $5.27 $136.80


Resources

 

 



Our Benefit Vendors

 

Additional Helpful Resources

 

Definitions

Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
AD&D allows you to cover yourself or your family and provides financial protection in the event of an accident.


Basic Life Insurance
Basic Life Insurance is automatically provided to all benefit eligible employees. There is no need to enroll or request this coverage. This provides financial protection to your beneficiary in the event of your death. This is now a taxable benefit to UA employees.
Financially Interdependent Partner (FIP)
A FIP is a non-married domestic partner. Certain requirements are needed to designate someone as your FIP. FIPs are treated as spouses in our plan. FIP deductions for health care will come out post-tax. A Statement of Financial Interdependence is required.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
There are three types of FSAs - (1) health care, (2) dependent care and (3) limited purpose paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Each of these accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars for medical expenses (health care), daycare expenses (dependent care), and dental and vision expenses (limited purpose with qualifying HSA). These accounts are use-it-or-lose-it.

Health Savings Account (HSA)
HSA are meant to be additional savings accounts for qualified medical expenses. The HSA is only available on qualifying health care plans. At UA, our qualifying plan is our HDHP. If you are not sure if you are on a plan that is eligible for the HSA, please reach out to TouchCare.

Life Event
A life event includes marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, gain or loss of other coverage, gain or loss of employment, etc. These life events allow you to change your health care plan within 30 days after the life event date. This is the only time you are able to make changes to your health care outside of Open Enrollment. More information on life events can be found on our life event page.

Long Term Disability (LTD)
LTD is automatically provided to all benefit eligible employees. There is no need to enroll or request this coverage. This benefit helps provide financial protection to UA employees should they experience an illness or disability that prevents them from earning an income for 90+ days. 

Open Enrollment
Open enrollment runs each year from mid-April through early May. This is the only time you can make any changes to your health care unless you experience a life event. All changes made during Open Enrollment will be active on the following July 1.

Short-term Disability (STD)
STD is provided automatically to all benefit eligible employees. There is no need to enroll or request this coverage. This benefit helps provide financial protection to UA employees should they experience an illness or disability that prevents them from earning an income for 14+ days. 

Supplemental Life Insurance
This coverage allows you to enroll yourself, your spouse, and/or your child(ren). Life Insurance provides financial protection in the event of an unexpected death of a family member.

NextGen Open Enrollment Form Tips & Tricks

Logic Driven
The NextGen Open Enrollment form is logic driven. You will be shown pages/information based on your selections as you move through the form. This means you may see different pages and/or messages than another employee.


Save your progress
You can save your progress and continue your form later. To do so, log in to the NextGen Dashboard with your SSO. Once you log in, click on "my forms" in the upper right followed by "pending and draft forms."


Read carefully
There are many changes this year and there are instructions and details provided on each page of the NextGen Open Enrollment form. Be sure to set aside some dedicated time to work through the form this year and leave enough time to ask questions.


Questions
If you have questions on the NextGen form or run into technical difficulties, please email ua-benefits@alaska.edu or call us at (907) 450-8242.

 

Process Guide

 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question that does not appear here, please email us at ua-benefits@alaska.edu.

No. Forms this year are only required if you who wish to make changes to your current coverage and/or dependents or if you would like to enroll in any of the three Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). 

No changes to your current benefits
If you do not submit a form, there will be no changes to your current coverage(s) and/or dependents (spouse, FIP, or children) as long as the dependents enrolled are still qualified dependents.

No FSA

If you had any FSA last year and you do not submit a form, you will not have an FSA this year. FSA coverages must be enrolled in each year. If you would like an FSA, please submit a form even if you have no other changes you would like to make.


Review Current Coverages
If you need to review your current coverage(s), please review UAOnline

UA Benefits will automatically update Supplemental Life Insurance age brackets should an employee and/or spouse age into the next bracket on July 1, 2024.

TouchCare is your health care advocate. They will assist with any questions you have on our plans, help you decide which plan works best for you and your family, and will help break down the differences between the options.  For more information on TouchCare, review their website.

Additionally, TouchCare will assist at any time if you have questions on the bills you have received, locating a provider, price-shopping for certain services (i.e. an x-ray) and more!

No. You will remain in your current coverage with the exception of the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). If you want an FSA from July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025, you must submit an Open Enrollment Form. 
No. You will remain in your current coverage with the exception of the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). If you want an FSA from July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025, you must submit an Open Enrollment Form. 

Possibly. All new employees must submit a new employee form electing their coverage. More information can be found on our new employee webpage.

The coverage you elect as a new employee will continue automatically into the next plan year that starts on July 1 with the exception of the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

If you are wanting to enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) that covers July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025, you must complete an Open Enrollment form, too. New employees electing an FSA with their new employee form only will have access to the FSA between their coverage start date and June 30, 2024 - unless an Open Enrollment form is submitted requesting an FSA in the next plan year. 

If you have questions, please reach out to ua-benefits@alaska.edu or call us at (907) 450-8242.

Temporary employees are eligible for certain benefits and have their own Open Enrollment process in April and October of each year. Temporary employees do not participate in this Open Enrollment. 
Any changes made during Open Enrollment will be effective on the following July 1. 
Our plan year runs from July 1 through the following June 30. 

As of July 1, 2023, all employees will be on a 26 pay period (12 month) deduction schedule regardless of contract length. Employees who experience leave without pay, enter an off-contract status, or do not generate enough pay to cover their deductions, will accrue arrears for missed deductions.

40% Arrears
Arrears will generate for the following benefits and will be repaid at 40% of the current biweekly deduction. This means employees with arrears will pay their regular biweekly deduction  and pay an additional 40% of that same biweekly deduction. This creates a 140% deduction and will continue until the arrears balance is paid off. When the balance is paid, the deduction will return to the regular biweekly deduction (100%). 

  1. Medical
  2. Dental
  3. Vision
  4. Supplemental Life (employee, spouse/FIP, and child(ren))
  5. Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)

100% Arrears
Arrears will generate for the following benefits and will be repaid at 100% of the current biweekly deduction. This means employees with arrears will pay their regular biweekly deduction  and pay an additional 100% of that same biweekly deduction. This creates a 200% deduction and will continue until the arrears balance is paid off. When the balance is paid, the deduction will return to the regular biweekly deduction (100%). 

  1. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) - health care
  2. FSA - limited purpose
  3. Voluntary benefits elected through Corestream

Deductions with No Arrears
Arrears will never generate for the following:

  1. FSA - dependent care
  2. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
  3. Pet insurance through Corestream

A dependent is anyone other than the employee that is covered on your plan. This can include a spouse, Financially Interdependent Partner (FIP), or dependent child under the age of 26. 

If you are enrolling a dependent who is not currently enrolled, you are required to provide the backup documentation to prove the relationship. If the dependent is already enrolled, you do not need to provide backup documentation again. 

You will need to reach out to Benefits at ua-benefits@alaska.edu or call us at (907) 450-8242. Open enrollment forms can only be submitted once. The benefits team can review and work with you on re-submitting.