Open Enrollment is Starting!

Memo from Jane Cheeks, HR Director, 2/28/17:

The City of Houston’s Benefits open enrollment period for the 2017-2018 year will be from March 13th through April 7th, and any changes made during open enrollment will be effective May 1, 2017. Please review the information carefully and share with your respective departmental staff members.

What’s New in the Medical Plan

• Rates are increasing in the Open Access and Consumer-Driven Health Plans. The Limited Network plan rates will remain the same.
• Out-of-pocket maximums are increasing in all plans.
• Pharmacy benefits are being expanded to include a network of 90-day retail pharmacies, which also includes more pharmacies available for 30-day fills.

Actions You May Take
During open enrollment, you will have the ability to take the following actions:

• Review, enroll or make changes to medical, dental, vision, life insurance or supplemental plans
• Enroll or re-enroll in the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HFSA)
• Review and update your life insurance beneficiaries
• Complete a death termination pay beneficiary designation form (if you haven’t completed one)
• If you add any new dependents during this period, you must submit supporting documentation to Human Resources Benefits Services no later than April 7, 2017, or the dependent will not receive the elected coverage. Mail, fax or email supporting documents to: Mail: 611 Walker 4th floor, Houston, TX 77002; Fax: 832-395-9409; Email: benefitseligibility@houstontx.gov

Enrollment Eligibility of PT-30 Employees
In compliance with provisions of the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the City of Houston must offer medical benefits to employees who have worked an average of thirty or more hours per week for a specific period of time, known as a “look back” period. The ARA Department has evaluated the part-time work hours during the look back period, May 2016 through February 2017 and identified the employees who have met the criteria for participation in the City’s medical benefits plan effective May 1, 2017. Because these part-time employees are eligible to participate in a City medical plan, their status in the payroll system, SAP, will be changed to PT-30 which will allow them the opportunity to elect coverage.