Open Enrollment Toolkit for HR reps
Use the following tools/resources to help you prepare for and answer questions about Open Enrollment (October 1-31, 2023).
Where to Find Open Enrollment Resources
Visit the Open Enrollment webpage on the HR website to find the most updated information, including links to the following tools/resources. We suggest you bookmark this page on your browser so you can easily find Open Enrollment information throughout the month of October.
- Open Enrollment guides for faculty, academic, and support staff
- Detailed instructions on how to participate in Open Enrollment through the EBS Portal
- A how-to-enroll video
- Instructions for how to add a family member or dependent
- Details about the MSU Benefits Fair and HR Site Labs
- Online Benefit Provider Resources
What’s New and Notable for the 2024 Plan Year?
Please reference page 5 of the appropriate Open Enrollment guide for all new and notable benefits information for the 2024 plan year.
Here are some important highlights:
- New Dental Plan Option: In addition to Aetna DMO, Aetna Premium DMO and Delta Dental PPO, we are offering a new dental plan, Delta Dental PPO Premium, to employees and their dependents for the 2024 plan year. Learn more about the plan in the Open Enrollment guides , on the HR Dental webpage , and find details for Delta Dental presentations during the Benefits Fair .
- New Health Care Option for Employees Living Outside of Michigan: We are pleased to offer a new health care plan, BlueCard Out-of-State, to employees that live outside of Michigan but within the U.S. Learn more about the plan in the Open Enrollment guides or on the BlueCard Out-of-State HR webpage .
- Additional Eligibility for the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA): Due to recent contract negotiations, APSA and CTU employees living outside the state of Michigan are now eligible to enroll in the CDHP with HSA. Please note, all non-union employees and POAM employees living in Michigan are still eligible to enroll.
MSU Benefits Fair and Site Labs
Benefits Fair (In-person)
October 12 | Noon – 7:00 p.m. | Breslin Student Events Center
MSU benefit providers and MSU HR staff will be available to answer questions and/or help employees enroll in their benefits on-site at the Breslin Student Events Center. Delta Dental will be presenting during the fair from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. and again from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Employees can listen to an overview and ask questions about the new Delta Dental PPO Premium plan.
Learn More: Please visit the HR Benefits Fair webpage to find more details about the fair.
HR Site Labs
October 18 (Virtual) | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
October 24 (In-person) | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | International Center, 427 N. Shaw Ln, East Lansing, MI 48824
October 31 (In-person) | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | HR Building, 1407 S. Harrison Rd, East Lansing 48823
Employees have the ability to participate in an HR Site Lab to receive assistance with enrollment or ask questions about benefit options. We are offering a virtual option, along with two in-person options at different locations on campus.
Learn More: Please visit the HR Site Labs webpage to learn more about how to participate in the HR site labs.
Online Benefit Provider Resources
The Online Benefit Provider Resources webpage offers a variety of resources from our MSU benefit providers that employees can review online at any time. Resources include brochures, videos, contact information for further questions, and more. This is a great resource if employees are unable to attend the in-person benefits fair.
An Open Enrollment Checklist
Do you have employees that need extra guidance navigating Open Enrollment? Consider sending them a link to this Open Enrollment Checklist article (link coming soon), which helps employees ensure they are choosing the best benefit plans for their needs.
Special Instructions for New Hires During Open Enrollment
New hires that start prior to Open Enrollment still need to complete Open Enrollment if they cover a spouse/OEI, to enroll in plans that need to be renewed each year (Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care FSA), and/or make changes to plan selections made for plan year 2024.
New hires that start during or after Open Enrollment still need to complete Open Enrollment if they want to enroll in plans that need to be renewed each year (Health Care FSA, Dependent Care FSA) or make changes to plan selections made for plan year 2024. If they cover a spouse/OEI, they do not need to complete a new affidavit. Please have the new hire fill out the Open Enrollment Offline Enrollment/Change form.
New hires that start on or after December 1 do not need to contact HR for an Open Enrollment link to enroll in FSA plans. FSA plans elected in the new hire enrollment will begin the first of the month after the enrollment date.
Special Instructions for ACA-Mandated Employees
ACA-mandated employee eligibility must be re-evaluated to determine if they are eligible to enroll or continue in the MSU health plan. In case these employees see other Open Enrollment materials, we wanted to remind you that currently they may not participate in Open Enrollment.
At the end of their measurement period they will be given an opportunity to enroll in, cancel or make changes to their health care benefits. If they are eligible, an email will be sent to their msu.edu email account explaining their enrollment period and plan options.
Special Instructions for Employees on an Unpaid Leave of Absence
Employees on an unpaid leave of absence during Open Enrollment cannot complete open enrollment online. Please refer to the Special Enrollment Guide for information on how to participate in open enrollment and what changes are allowed.
Questions? We will be discussing Open Enrollment at the HRConnect meeting on Wednesday, September 27. Our HR Solutions Center team is always available to help at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.
