Benefits Open Enrollment Season Begins April 21

Duquesne’s Benefits Open Enrollment period is fast approaching. Beginning on Monday, April 21, employees can review University-offered benefits and make selections for the new plan year, which is effective July 1.

For the upcoming year, staff  will see a change in dental providers, new prescription minimum and maximum copays, and a new confidential, web-based benefits enrollment management system—bswift. The new system can be downloaded to mobile devices and offers an interactive decision support tool, Ask Emma, designed to help employees make more informed and personalized medical benefit decisions.

All employees are being asked to complete this year’s enrollment, even if they do not plan to make any changes, to ensure that the new bswift life insurance beneficiary form contains accurate information. Employees will be able to connect to bswift through the benefits website after Monday, April 21.

Employees weighing their plan options are encouraged to attend the annual Benefits Fair scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Power Center Ballroom. Benefit provider representatives will be onsite to answer questions and discuss plan offerings. Spouses are welcome to attend.

A 2014-2015 Benefits Overview Guide with detailed information about health care, dental, vision and other programs will be available through the benefits website and mailed to employee homes in advance of the fair.

Additional employee resources include individual consultations with a member of the benefits office and a series of in-depth information sessions on specific benefit topics, which employee can register for through DU Training Tracker.

Employees are reminded that flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts and vacation purchase selections do not carry over from year to year and must be selected each plan year during the Open Enrollment process.

The enrollment period occurs once a year; however, employees who experience life changes that affect their benefits after enrollment closes will be able to complete and submit a Qualified Life Event Form to adjust selections.

Open enrollment closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 23. For additional information, contact the benefits office or call 412.396.5106.