Open
Enrollment Period
October 12,
2020-November 6, 2020
What is Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment is the annual time period in which benefit-eligible
employees can make any changes to their current medical, dental, vision,
flexible spending account plans and/or enroll in BCPS medical, dental, vision,
and flexible spending account plans for the first time. It’s important to
review your current benefit selections or consider adding or removing benefits
to ensure your benefits package is meeting you and/or your family's needs.
Current benefits
elections will automatically roll over to 2021, with the exception of Flexible
Spending Account (FSA) elections.
The Open Enrollment period
is October 12, 2020 through November 6, 2020 at 4pm. This
deadline is strictly enforced due to IRS regulations that govern employee
benefits plans. The
effective date of any new enrollments and/or changes will be January 1,
2021.
Please review What's New for this Plan Year for 2021.
How do I process
enrollments/changes during the Open Enrollment period?
It is recommended that employees
enroll and/or make changes to medical, dental, and vision via the online
portal through Employee Self-Service (ESS) at Employee
Self Service. Instructions to complete the Open Enrollment process on
Employee Self Service (ESS) are located here: Benefits Enrollment Wizard Tutorial. Please be advised that the Open Enrollment process through Employee Self Service (ESS) online portal will not be available until October 12, 2020.
Employees who are unable to
complete the Open Enrollment process for medical, dental, and vision online may
submit a 2021
Open Enrollment Form to the contact information below.
Employees are unable
to enroll or re-enroll in Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefits (healthcare
or dependent care)via Employee Self Service (see below).
Employees who wish to
elect Flexible Spending Account (FSA) benefits (healthcare or dependent care)
must enroll or re-enroll for 2021, by logging into the Benefit Strategies Portal.
Employees must use their Employee ID to enroll (not their Social Security
Number), as no Social Security Numbers are shared with Benefit
Strategies. Here are the Benefit Strategies FSA Online Enrollment Instructions. If you need assistance with completing the FSA enrollment on the Benefit Strategies Portal or have questions about FSAs in general, please contact Benefit Strategies' Customer Service Phone Number at 1-888-401-3539.
Employees who do not
enroll or re-enroll for FSA benefits during this Open Enrollment period will
not be able to participate in 2021. Current FSA
enrollments will not rollover automatically into 2021.
Where can I find information
about Open Enrollment?
Employees are encouraged to
review the 2021
Active Employee Benefits Guide for complete information
about benefits options and 2021 rates to make informed decisions.
The News Hub will also
contain information about the Open Enrollment Period.
Pre-Enrollment Confirmation
Statements will be mailed out the week of October 5, 2020.
These personalized statements show your current 2020 benefits elections.
A few important reminders!
Employees who are adding eligible dependents
to their coverages (spouse and/or children) for 2021 MUST
ensure the dependent's is eligible AND submit proof of relationship by NO
LATER than November 6, 2020 at 4pm to ensure that your dependent's
enrollment is processed. For eligibility and proof of relationship
documentation required, please review Eligibility & Enrollment.
Enroll or
re-enroll in Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to participate in 2021.
Employees
needing to enroll, make changes, or add/remove dependents for 2021 MUST
ensure they complete the Open Enrollment process by NO
LATER than November 6, 2020 to ensure the dependent's enrollment for 2021 is processed.
We will continue to provide
important information for employees to consider during the Open Enrollment
period.
For additional information please contact:
Office of Benefits, Leaves, and Retirement
Email: benefits@bcps.org
Phone: 443-809-8943 during
normal office hours: Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:45pm
Fax: 410-887-8950
Mailing Address: 6901 N. Charles Street,
Building B, Towson, MD 21204
During this time, email and voicemail will be monitored remotely by
staff. We appreciate your patience and will do our best to address your
inquiries in a timely manner. For the most timely response, please send
your questions, concerns, and any forms or paperwork to the appropriate email:
Benefits (Active and Retiree, 403b/457b plans)
benefits@bcps.org or 443-809-8943
Retirement (Service & Disability Retirements) retirement@bcps.org or 443-809-8949
Leaves of Absence (Unpaid leave)
leaves@bcps.org or 443-809-8947
Office of Benefits, Leaves and Retirements Organizational Chart