Benefits Newsletter: October, 2023

Did you know that the Federal Benefits Open Season happens only once a year? Unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event during the year, the Open Season is your only opportunity to enroll, cancel your enrollment, or make a change to your enrollment for the participating programs. The Open Season will run November 13 – December 11, 2023. This is the time to review and update your benefits, if needed. Don’t miss out on this important opportunity. 

Do you have questions about the 2024 plans? There will be a Virtual Benefits Open Season Fair. To attend the Virtual Fair and chat with plan representatives, registration is required. Any time during the Benefits Open Season (November 13 – December 11), you will be able to log into the Virtual Fair to review 2024 plan brochures, visit individual plan booths, watch instructional videos, and register for educational webinars.   

Do you want to learn the basics of the health plans offered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program? If so, listen to a short 20-minutes Insurance 101 on-demand webinar. Registration is required. Topics discussed are:

·      Overview of insurance terms

·      Types of plans offered

·      How to pick the right plan

UnitedHealthcare is offering a variety of wellness events during October, November, and December. View the offerings and register today! 

On July 25, 2023, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recently extended the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) contract with John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company (John Hancock) for a new seven-year period beginning May 1, 2023. 

Federal law prescribes which family members may be covered under your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program plan. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) requires you to review eligibility rules and verify that your family members are eligible to be covered under your health plan.

Last year, NIH employees lost an estimated $5.9 million in annual leave. Don’t let your leave disappear! Please donate your unused “Use-or-Lose” annual leave to the NIH Leave Bank or Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (VLTP) by January 13, 2024! 

Leave donations to the NIH Leave Bank or VLTP reinforce the charitable and giving spirit of the NIH community and ensure your fellow employees experiencing a personal or family medical emergency have the paid leave they need.