Benefits Open Enrollment Begins Oct. 3

Oberlin College will conduct its annual benefits open enrollment from October 3 through October 31, 2016. The Human Resources Department will host the Benefits and Wellness Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, October 5.

The Benefits and Wellness Fair is an excellent opportunity for individuals to obtain more information about the college’s health plans and benefits and to meet with insurance representatives, retirement advisors, financial services vendors, and wellness experts. Student Health Services will provide flu shots at no charge for those with a Cigna membership card during the fair. Payment can be made with cash, check, credit or debit card. (There is a $20 charge for those without a Cigna membership card.)

There will be several popular features at this year’s fair.

• Mercy Allen Medical Center will provide free bone density screenings (foot).
• Free 10-minute chair massages will be offered on a first-come first-served basis.
• Bon Appetit, Campus Dining and the Hotel at Oberlin Chef will host a healthy food sample tasting.
• The athletics department will demonstrate circuit training.

Fair participants will receive complimentary promotional items and chances to win raffle prizes offered by the fair exhibitors. Don’t miss this fun and informative event!

The online open enrollment period for 2017 benefits runs from October 3, 2016 to October 31, 2016. During this time, employees can enroll for a benefit for the first time, change plan options, add or remove eligible dependents, and enroll in a 2017 flexible spending account. You may also make your 2017 pledge to the OC Giving Campaign online.

For 2017, faculty, administrative and professional staff (A&PS), and confidential and OCOPE employees will have the option to enroll in the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP), with a health savings account (HSA). Eligible employees who elect the CDHP may fund a health savings account each year on a pre-tax basis. In addition, Oberlin College will deposit money into the HSA even if you do not add your own funds into the account. These HSA dollars can be used to cover 100% of HSA-eligible expenses. If dollars remain at year-end, they roll over for you to use in the future. The HSA account is owned by you and is also portable—you take it with you—if you were to leave the plan or the college.

Additional details regarding the new CDHP benefits will be available throughout Open Enrollment. Cigna representatives will conduct informational sessions at the Benefits Fair.

For additional information regarding open enrollment, contact Mark McLeod, director of compensation and benefits (mark.mcleod@oberlin.edu); or Awura Ferguson Osei, manager of benefits (awura.ferguson.osei@oberlin.edu).