University of Washington Human Resources

Open Enrollment 2025 overview

Last updated: September 13, 2024

Important changes happening this year

Open Enrollment, the annual opportunity for PEBB benefits-eligible employees to enroll in or make changes to their benefits, happens earlier this year– starting October 28 through November 25. In addition to the new timeframe, the PEBB is also introducing three new vision plans that you will need to select from. Vision coverage is an employer-paid benefit with no monthly premiums and will replace the vision benefit currently included in your PEBB medical plan.

Why are these changes happening?

• The Health Care Authority (HCA), which administers the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) set the new timeframe for Open Enrollment which will now run from the last Monday in October through the Monday before Thanksgiving each year.
• PEBB is providing employees more choice by providing standalone vision plan options.

As always, during Open Enrollment, you will also be able to:

• Enroll in or change your medical, vision and/or dental coverage.
• Add or remove qualified dependents, including a spouse or state-registered domestic partner, to/from your medical, vision and/or dental plans. Learn more on the Dependent Verification Documentation webpage.
• Enroll or re-enroll in optional pre-tax savings programs such as a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose FSA (LFSA), or the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP).
• Respond to HCA’s spousal premium surcharge if it applies to you.

You must submit changes in Workday during Open Enrollment if:

1. You don’t wish to be defaulted into the MetLife Vision plan.
   You have an opportunity to choose from three vision plans. If you don’t act, you and your dependents enrolled in their medical plan will be automatically enrolled in PEBB’s default plan, MetLife Vision.
2. You wish to continue your Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) and/or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) coverage.
   If you are currently enrolled in a FSA, Limited Purpose FSA or the DCAP, you must re-enroll every year during Open Enrollment in order to continue participating in the following year.
3. You have been notified that you need to attest/re-attest to the spousal premium surcharge.
   If you currently have a spouse or State-Registered Domestic Partner (SRDP) enrolled on your PEBB medical plan, you may need to attest or re-attest to whether or not the PEBB-required $50 monthly premium surcharge applies to you.

Preparing for Open Enrollment

If you are a PEBB benefits-eligible employee who wishes to make changes to your medical, dental and/or vision plans during Open Enrollment, follow these simple steps to prepare ahead of time:

1. Verify your address in Workday: The benefits options you are offered are actually based on your home address, specifically your zip code. Make sure your address in Workday is current so you aren’t offered the wrong benefit plan options.

2. Prepare your dependent verification documents: If you are planning to add any dependents (including your spouse or State Registered Domestic Partner) to your medical, vision, and/or dental plans, state law requires that you submit, within Workday, valid dependent verification documents that demonstrate proof of your relationship. Check out this list of what qualifies as valid dependent verification documentation. We strongly recommend scanning the document(s) you plan on attaching and saving it to an easy-to-find location on a secure computer prior to starting the Open Enrollment process.

3. Get informed:

• Plan to attend a Benefits Fair where you can meet providers and ask questions. Attend a lunch and learn hosted by UW Benefits Director on factors for guidance on selecting the vision plan that is best for you.
• Join Benefits Director Barry Nemeth for an online Open Enrollment Information Session. Register for Wednesday, October 23  OR register for Wednesday, November 13. Both sessions are from noon – 12:30 p.m. on Zoom.

4. Follow the Open Enrollment User Guide: Starting October 28, a link to the Open Enrollment User Guide will be available with step-by-step instructions on making your changes in Workday.

Benefit changes you can make anytime

There are several benefit changes you can make that, given the necessary circumstances, don’t require you to wait until Open Enrollment:

• Attest to the Tobacco Use Premium Surcharge.
• Manage your Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions.
• Enroll in optional Retirement Plans.
• Enroll in Optional Life insurance.
• Reduce or opt out of Employee-Paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance.

Visit the Benefit Changes You Can Make Year-Round web page for details.