Open Enrollment is the annual time period in which benefit-eligible employees can make changes to their benefit elections. Open Enrollment is typically held in the months of October or November each year.

HOW TO ENROLL

This information will be made available during Open Enrollment.

IMPORTANT FACTS TO CONSIDER DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT

The benefit elections you make during Open Enrollment stay in effect until the end of the Plan Year (January 1 through December 31).  This is an IRS requirement which allows our plans to qualify as pre-tax deductions.  Employees who experience a qualifying life event will be permitted to make changes to their benefit elections. Changes must be requested within 30 days of the qualifying life event.

Employees may choose which eligible family members they want to include in each benefit election. For example, you may cover yourself and your dependents for medical benefits, but only yourself for dental coverage.

If you and your spouse are both BCPS employees, you can each enroll in individual coverage, or one of you can elect two-person or family coverage. If you elect coverage separately, you cannot cover one another as dependents. Similarly, eligible dependent child(ren) may only be covered under one of you.

Proof of dependent eligibility is required. Documentation may be copies of a marriage certificate, birth certificate, or adoption papers. Documentation must include the employee’s name and last four digits of their social security number. Failure to provide this identifying information could result in a delay of coverage.

Employees who submit false information intended to provide health care coverage for alleged dependents not eligible for such coverage may be subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment. Such employees will also be held financially responsible for all claims filed, and will be required to reimburse the board for any payments made on behalf of or for the benefits of an ineligible person claimed as a dependent.

Pre-Enrollment and Post-Enrollment Confirmation Statements

Benefit-eligible employees will receive two personalized benefit statements to assist them during Open Enrollment. Pre-Enrollment Confirmation Statements will be sent at the end of October. This form shows your current benefits elections. Please review the statement carefully to determine if you wish to make changes to your benefit plan during the Open Enrollment Period. If you do not wish to make any changes to your benefit plan, no further action is needed; unless you wish to elect a Health Care FSA or a Dependent Care FSA (employees must re-enroll in this benefit every year, if they want to participate).

Post-Enrollment Confirmation Statements will be sent in late-December. This form will show what your elections are after Open Enrollment. Please review the form for accuracy. If any processing errors have been made, please notify the Office of Benefits and Retirement as soon as possible either by calling 443-809-8943 or by e-mail at: [email protected].