Employees’ once-a-year opportunity to update and enroll in benefits is coming soon: Monday, Oct. 31, through Friday, Nov. 11.

Staff and faculty are encouraged to review current elections and consider future options and changes. This year, University System of Georgia (USG) health care options are the same, and there are minimal changes to plans. However, premiums have increased again as the USG attains an equal, defined employer contribution across all plans — the result of a gradual move toward this model over the past several years.

USG will offer the following benefit choices for 2017:

• USG Critical Illness plan.
• USG Accident plan.
• USG Hospital Indemnity plan.
• USG Legal plan.

To take advantage of any of these benefits, you must enroll during Open Enrollment. If you don’t enroll for 2017 benefits, your 2016 coverage will continue at 2017 rates. Also, if you would like to have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2017, you must enroll during Open Enrollment — even if you had one the previous year. 

More complete information about plan designs, premiums, and voluntary benefit options will be available on or around Oct. 3 at ohr.gatech.edu or usg.edu/hr/benefits. A detailed summary booklet will also be mailed to each employee’s home in late October.

The benefits team has scheduled information sessions (see timeline below) for those with questions or in need of in-person assistance. The annual Benefits Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Employees are also welcome to attend benefits fairs at any other USG institution. See usg.edu for upcoming dates. 

Georgia Tech is again partnering with the USG’s Shared Services Center to provide individualized support to employees by phone, including expanded hours. Representatives will be available Oct. 31 – Nov. 11 between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Call Center will also remain open until 8 p.m. on the last two days of Open Enrollment.