Note: This is a printed version of https://employeehelp.workday.uw.edu/your-benefits/oe. Please visit this page on the ISC website to ensure you're referencing the most current information.

Employee Workday Help

Open Enrollment

Last updated Monday, November 25, 2024

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What is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment for 2025 takes place from October 28, 2024 to November 27, 2024. It is a once-a-year opportunity for PEBB benefits-eligible employees to enroll in or make changes to their health plan elections or enroll in a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose FSA (LFSA) or the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP). Open Enrollment changes are made in Workday and go into effect the following January 1. Open Enrollment is the only time each year employees can change their benefits elections unless they experience a qualifying life event (such as marriage or the birth of a child).

During Open Enrollment, you can:

  • Enroll in or change your medical, vision and/or dental coverage
  • Add or remove qualified dependents, including a spouse or state-registered domestic partner, to/from your health plans
    • To verify if someone qualifies as a dependent, visit Washington State Health Care Authority’s (HCA’s) Are My Dependents Eligible? webpage
  • Waive your medical coverage if you are covered by another employer-based group medical insurance, TRICARE, or Medicare
  • Enroll or re-enroll in optional pre-tax savings programs such as a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose FSA (LFSA) or the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
    • Per IRS policy, re-enrollment is required each year during Open Enrollment if you wish to contribute to these plans
  • Respond (“attest) to whether or not the HCA’s spousal premium surcharge applies to you

Do You HAVE TO Submit Changes in Workday During Open Enrollment?

Disclaimer: PEBB is introducing three new vision plans that you will need to select from during Open Enrollment. Vision coverage is an employer-paid benefit with no monthly premiums and will replace the vision benefit currently included in your PEBB medical plan. If you don’t submit your selection during Open Enrollment, you and your dependents enrolled in their medical plan will be automatically enrolled in PEBB’s default plan, MetLife Vision.

  • Happy with your current health benefits elections?
    If none of the requirements below apply to you, you do not need to submit Open Enrollment changes in Workday – simply disregard the Open Enrollment action item on your Workday homepage and in your Workday inbox (also known as My Tasks) – it will disappear on November 28!

You are required to make changes during Open Enrollment if:

  1. You wish to select a vision plan for you and your dependents and NOT be automatically enrolled in MetLife Vision.
    -AND/OR-
  2. You wish to continue/enroll in a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose FSA (LFSA) and/or the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) coverage.
    If you are currently enrolled in a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose FSA (LFSA) or the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), you must re-enroll every year during Open Enrollment in order to continue participating in the following year.
    -AND/OR-
  3. You have been notified that you need to attest/re-attest to the spousal premium surcharge.
    If you currently have a spouse or State-Registered Domestic Partner (SRDP) enrolled on your PEBB medical plan, you may need to attest or re-attest to whether or not the PEBB-required $50 monthly premium surcharge applies to you.

Preparing for Open Enrollment

If you are a PEBB benefits-eligible employee who wishes to make changes to your health plans during Open Enrollment, follow these simple steps to prepare ahead of time:

1. Verify your address in Workday: The benefits options you are offered are actually based on your home address, specifically your zip code. Make sure your address in Workday is current so you aren’t offered the wrong benefit plan options.

2. Prepare your dependent verification documents: If you are planning to add any dependents (including your spouse or State Registered Domestic Partner) to your medical, vision or dental plans, state law requires that you submit, within Workday, valid dependent verification documents that demonstrate proof of your relationship. Check out this list of what qualifies as valid dependent verification documentation. We strongly recommend scanning the document(s) you plan on attaching and saving it to an easy-to-find location on a secure computer before October 28.

3. Research your benefit options before Open Enrollment starts: 

  • Choose your new vision plan: Explore plan options now to determine which plan will work best for you – and learn how to determine if your current eye doctor is covered – on the Vision Plans page. 
  • Attend one of the UW Benefits Fairs: Talk with insurance plan providers – including new vision plan providers – and learn more about your benefit options at one of the four upcoming UW Benefits Fairs. 
    • Or attend a Virtual Benefits Fair: If you can’t make one of the in-person Benefits Fairs, you can still visit the Health Care Authority’s Virtual Benefits Fair page to watch informative, on-demand webinars (available 24/7!) and learn more about your benefit options for the coming year. Current year information will become available on October 1. 
  • Join an Online Open Enrollment Information Session: You can also register now to learn more about Open Enrollment and what changes you can expect for 2025 with UW Benefits Director Barry Nemeth. Both sessions are from 12:00 – 12:30 pm on Zoom. 

Contact insurance plan providers directly with any questions: If you have questions about networks, what each plan covers, and other benefit details, directly reach out to the providers ahead of time to determine if another plan is right for you and/or your family.

How to Make Changes During Open Enrollment

Starting October 28, a link to the Open Enrollment User Guide will be available in this space for step-by-step instructions on making your changes in Workday.

Benefit Changes You Can Make Anytime

There are several benefit changes you can make that, given the necessary circumstances, don’t require you to wait until Open Enrollment:

  • Attest to the Tobacco Use Premium Surcharge
  • Manage your Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions
  • Enroll in optional Retirement Plans
  • Enroll in Optional Life insurance
  • Reduce or opt out of Employee-Paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance

Visit the Benefit Changes You Can Make Year-Round page for details.

What is "PEBB"?

As you research your Open Enrollment options, you'll most likely come across the acronym "PEBB," which stands for Public Employees Benefits Board.

PEBB is a benefits program managed by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA). The PEBB program purchases and coordinates insurance benefits for eligible public employees and retirees, including UW employees.