BenefitMe! November 2023 Newsletter
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison
Your quarterly resource for university benefits news and updates
Annual Enrollment may have just ended, but now’s a good time to wrap up a few other loose ends before the start of 2024. This issue of BenefitMe! includes reminders about:
Annual Enrollment Reminders
If you waived coverage or added new dependents during 2024 Annual Enrollment, make sure you upload your required documentation to the myBenefits portal at VandalWeb > Employees > myBenefits no later than Jan. 31, 2024. It’s better to get it done sooner in case you experience any difficulty. You may need to submit:
- Proof of your dependents’ relationship to you, such as a marriage or birth certificate, tax return or proof of adoption (if you added new dependents)
- Proof of other coverage (if you’re waiving benefits for 2024)
- See detailed guidance on acceptable forms of documentation and how to upload documentation.
If you don't provide required documentation for new dependents, they will not have coverage in 2024. If you don’t provide proof of other coverage, you will be enrolled automatically for employee-only coverage in the High Deductible Health Plan. You won't be able to change your coverage until next year’s Annual Enrollment period or unless you experience a qualifying life event.
Remember: Make sure to keep your address up to date so you can receive your 2023 tax documentation. You can submit an address change here.
Enhanced Vision Benefits in 2024
Your vision benefits through VSP are improving effective Jan. 1, 2024. You’ll be able to save on the cost of eyecare and prescription eyewear in 2024. The new enhancements include a:
- $175 allowance each for retail frames and contact lenses.
- $60 maximum copay for contact lens evaluation and fitting exams. This means that if your provider charges less than $60, you will pay the lesser amount, but if your provider charges more than $60, the most you will pay is $60.
To find a VSP provider, visit vsp.com and select Find a Doctor.
Don’t Forget to Submit Your 2023 FSA Claims
The Health Care Flexible Spending Account (Health Care FSA) and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (Dependent Care FSA) help you save money on eligible out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses by using pretax money for qualified expenses. As a reminder, during Annual Enrollment each year, you set your contribution amounts for the following year. Since any unused funds in the account at the end of the calendar year will be forfeited, plan carefully.
If you’ve been contributing to these accounts in 2023, make sure you submit claims before the deadline so you can get reimbursed. Submit any remaining 2023 claims you have to HealthEquity at healthequity.com by Dec. 31. Call 888-769-8696 if you need assistance. Don’t leave any money on the table!
Holiday Hang-Ups
The holidays can be a joyful time for many, but they can also be quite stressful and difficult for some. If you or a loved one has a hard time during the holidays, here are some resources to help — so you don’t have to go through it alone:
- Register for a webinar. Presented by our Employee Assistance Program, this webinar discusses chronic stress and burnout as well as strategies on how to manage and respond to your own stress triggers. The webinar starts at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 8. If you’d like to participate, register here.
- Refer to your mental health brochure. Review signs of crisis, details on what stress, anxiety and depression can look like for those experiencing or witnessing it, and a contact list on where to go for further support.
- Turn to your EAP or to TELUS Health CBT.
- For confidential in-person counseling, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here for you and your family. Your EAP provides eight free counseling sessions (per issue, per person, per year) and 24/7 access to counselors and online self-help resources. To get started, call 800-999-1077 or visit eaphelplink.com and use company code UI1. You can also join a virtual info session at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14, to learn more about EAP services.
- For online cognitive behavioral therapy, TELUS Health CBT (formerly AbilitiCBT) is available at no cost to you and eligible family members. This therapy program provides activities you can do at your own pace and also connects you via phone or video with a professional therapist who will help you understand and change your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. To learn more and get connected with a licensed professional, visit uidaho.abiliticbtus.com.