Inside Iowa State

Oct. 10, 2008

Benefits open change period is coming

by Paula Van Brocklin

Along with crisp leaves and cooler temperatures, autumn at Iowa State brings the opportunity to review and change your benefits for the upcoming year.

This year's open change period for ISU Plan participants is Nov. 3-21, and Oct. 31-Dec. 1 for non-supervisory merit employees. Details of benefits changes are pending, but look for final information in the Oct. 24 issue of Inside Iowa State. Until then, be thinking about:

• What events will occur in 2009 that could change your benefits needs (i.e., marriage, divorce, birth of a child, graduation of a child, etc.)?
• Have you received a medical diagnosis that requires you to seek treatment outside the HMO Iowa network?
• Did you hit the mark with your flexible spending account this year? Do you need to set aside more or less money from your paycheck to cover qualified health- and dependent-care expenses?

Watch your mail, e-mail

In the next few weeks, look for a letter at home and an e-mail at work with additional information about the open change period, including any benefits changes and when your participation and confirmation statements will be available via AccessPlus. (The participation statement is a side-by-side cost comparison of your current benefits and the same selection for next year. The confirmation statement verifies which changes, if any, you selected.)

And, plan to attend the annual vendor fair Nov. 12 (9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Pioneer Room, Memorial Union) to learn more about the benefits options available to you.

Vendor fair

Nov. 12, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

MU Pioneer Room