2022-23 Open Enrollment
Linfield University’s annual Open Enrollment period for the 2022-23 benefit year will take place from Monday, Feb. 7 - Monday, Feb. 28, 2022.
Open Enrollment is your once-a-year opportunity to make changes to your benefit choices. During Open Enrollment you can:
- Change medical plans. Not in love with the one you currently have? Choose from three others.
- Add or remove people from your benefit plans.
- Enroll for benefits for the first time.
- Add specialty coverage like ID Shield Protection to better protect yourself from identity theft.
- Learn more about available pet insurance.
Helpful resources:
- Open Enrollment 2022-2023 Powerpoint presentation (PDF format)
- Regence BlueCross/BlueShield Transition of Care Form
- Begin Open Enrollment through benefitsolver.com
- Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield Employee Education (Powerpoint)
- AccrueCMS HSA and FSA Powerpoint presentation (Powerpoint)
Informational sessions
The Office of Human Resources and our insurance consultants will host a university-wide Open Enrollment Benefit Session, as well as three Q&A sessions. View a recording of the Feb. 10 Open Enrollment benefit session – use passcode: aC38DvD%
Wednesday, February 16, 12 – 12:30 p.m.
HSA Q&A Session
Join Zoom meeting
Wednesday, February 16, 6 – 7 p.m.
Full Open Enrollment Session
Join Zoom meeting
Thursday, February 17, 2 – 3 p.m.
General Open Enrollment Q&A
Join Zoom meeting
Tuesday, February 22, 12 – 1 p.m.
Benefits Q&A with Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield Join Zoom meeting
Thursday, February 24, 12 – 1 p.m.
Benefits Q&A with Kaiser Permanente
Join Zoom meeting
View Recordings for:
"Open Enrollment Benefit Session", https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/rpesbW6C4vFFSA8w8pHOWdpPRLxSDIQQyCW4HlVMSKMBG4az4as6WDwjVljxNbc.r6gymFgfdErQWC8l , Passcode: aC38DvD%
"Health Saving Account Basics", https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/LisnUgeKNHQetbx85IDWGJ_WyfZvK-c-C3UmKnkyQNg-0WO6fDmunL3KH1SrTM0w.dLkX-drF1HnN1KnV , Passcode: .@Da@93G
"Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield Q&A Session", https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/Wcpws-5mqzsgAS4mvs7fgPl0tCmqKeH07zU3oVa2H73Jlfx3dXTfH-kAIysd2tJ_.hfdcvg-_XFN4Q81Q , Passcode: =5G@98+v
"Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield Employee Education", https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/BjOH-UiORrzAIZR70zzP5widSnU3E1HZstqgAfJkBHA477puFjXBaj8yRnUv1GBY.SdAJzQgFB4yQviph , Passcode: 3hthT^CB
"AccrueCMS HSA and FSA Employee Education", https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/SRV6BDjbca0VT2xTdAPNd7w_mGGUlgkTFsGLmqBqk6BJi_r4hgm4cK6yyQ9xb1vX.ahKNo1Vb-guJFTGi , Passcode: t*j5wHzW
Insurance premium allowance
Benefit-eligible employees will receive a flat monthly amount based on their medical insurance election to purchase medical, dental and vision coverage for themselves and/or their eligible dependents. This monthly dollar amount is the same for all employee groups: faculty and staff. Your medical election can be different from the type of coverage you elect for dental and vision coverage. The amounts below assume full-time (.83 FTE or greater); amount prorated based on FTE.
Medical coverage premiums
| Linfield Monthly Contributions* | Regence BlueCross BlueShield PPO Classic $1,500 Deductible | Regence BlueCross BlueShield PPO HDHP HSA $2,000 Deductible | Kaiser HMO | Kaiser HMO Deductible | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Only | $755 | $716.30 | $655.75 | $681.37 | $548.13 |
| Employee & Spouse | $945 | $1,438.85 | $1,317.15 | $1,369.55 | $1,101.74 |
| Employee & Child(ren) | $875 | $1,281.45 | $1,173.10 | $1,219.65 | $981.15 |
| Employee & Family | $1,350 | $2,004.05 | $1,834.50 | $1,907.83 | $1,534.76 |
| Waiver Credit | $100 |
*Full-time (0.83 or greater) receives one of the following listed above. FTE between 0.50 and 0.82 benefit is prorated (ex. 0.50 FTE receives $377.50 for employee only coverage)
2022-2023 Medical Benefits & Rate Comparisons - effective April 1, 2022
Opting out of medical coverage
If you decide not to elect Linfield’s medical coverage you would be eligible to receive a monthly “opt-out” amount. The monthly opt-out amount is $100 for full-time employees at .83 FTE or greater; amount prorated based on FTE. This monthly amount would be considered a taxable benefit.
Even if you “opt-out” of Linfield’s medical plans you are still eligible to enroll into dental and vision coverage.
The premiums for either or both of those elections would be taken as a pre-tax payroll deduction.
Frequently asked questions
When is Open Enrollment?
The Open Enrollment period will be held from Monday, Feb. 7 through Monday, Feb. 28. The deadline to submit changes through the Benefit Solver portal is Monday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. Elections made during Open Enrollment will become effective April 1, 2022.
What does Linfield pay towards my benefits?
Linfield provides a bucket of money that can be used to purchase medical/dental/vision benefits. The amount Linfield contributes is determined by the medical enrollment. Although the bucket of money is not increasing this year, the Linfield contribution will now cover all four medical plans in full.
What’s new this year?
Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO & High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are replacing the PPO & HDHP plans previously offered through Kaiser Permanente. The Willamette Dental premiums have increased by approximately 2%.
How do I make changes or review options?
Visit www.benefitsolver.com to review plan options, summaries and premiums. All changes must be submitted through this portal by Monday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.
What if I don't want to make any changes?
If you are satisfied with your current coverages and do not want to make any changes, you must still complete the online Open Enrollment process on the Benefit Solver system by Monday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.
What if I have coverage outside of Linfield?
Linfield University offers a monthly opt-out of $100 per month for anyone waiving medical insurance. This amount is added to your income and taxed each month. If you waive medical, the employer contribution does not apply; however, you and your eligible family members remain eligible for dental and vision insurance.
What if my benefit selections cost is less than the employer contribution?
You are not able to keep any remaining employer contribution funds that are not used.
What if I have specific questions I would like to talk with Kaiser Permanente about?
Plan to attend the Kaiser Permanente Q&A on February 24 at noon. Click the link above for a link to the zoom meeting.
What if I have specific questions I would like to talk with Blue Cross/Blue Shield about?
Plan to attend the Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield Q&A on February 22 at noon. Click the link above for a link to the zoom meeting.
What if I am in the middle of treatment, have a planned surgery, or upcoming medical treatments? How do I make sure the transition doesn’t cause problems?
Plan to attend the Regence BlueCross/BlueShield Q&A on February 22 at noon. Click the link above for a link to the zoom meeting and complete the Transition of Care form.
What if I need to make a change outside of Open Enrollment?
Once the enrollment deadline is past, your choices are binding until the next open enrollment period. Mid-year changes are only permitted when there is a Qualifying Life Event (marriage, divorce, birth, death, gaining or losing other coverage). To make a change outside of Open Enrollment, you must initiate a Life Event in the Benefit Solver system within 31 days of the event.
Do you have additional questions?
If you have questions or concerns regarding Open Enrollment or your insurance;
Please contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@linfield.edu or 503-883-2594.