Administration

2013 benefits open enrollment begins Nov. 1 for employees

The annual benefits open enrollment period will begin Nov. 1 for all benefits-eligible faculty and staff. Employees are encouraged to carefully review their benefit needs for 2013 and make any appropriate changes regarding health care, dental and vision coverage, as well as enroll in the flexible spending account (FSA) program.

There are minimal changes to employee benefits for 2013, with health, dental and vision coverage remaining the same. The only increase in cost employees will see is a very modest increase in contribution towards health benefits. An updated chart of the salary-indexed contributions can be found on the Employee Benefits website at http://ohr.psu.edu/benefits/benefits-enrollment.

Benefits enrollment can be completed online through the Employee Self-Service Information Center, which can be accessed from the Office of Human Resources website or at https://essic.ohr.psu.edu/essic/index.cfm.

In 2012, the University transitioned administration of flexible spending account benefit to Highmark Blue Shield. Due to the Health Care Reform legislation, FSA’s for 2013 have been reduced to a $2,500 yearly maximum per employee, so thoughtful planning is essential due to the reduced allowable amount for next year. The dependent care FSA allowable IRS maximum amount will remain at $5,000 per family, per year.

Employees who are not changing any benefits but who do want to participate in an FSA must log in to ESSIC, elect the flexible spending option and specify the amount of money to be deducted each pay period.

For additional details on the 2013 employee benefits options, visit http://ohr.psu.edu/benefits/benefits-enrollment. Benefits enrollment changes must be made by Nov. 16.

Last Updated October 24, 2012

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