Open Enrollment FAQ

What’s New for 2025

  • Medical Insurance:

    • We are making enhancements to our Cigna plans:
      • Hearing Aid Coverage through Amplifon on all 3 medical plan options: Covered based on plan deductibles and maximums, device limit of one per ear every 36 months for all ages.
      • Increased Gender Affirmation Services on all 3 medical plan options: Covered based on plan deductibles and maximums, expands types of services to include electrolysis, thyrochondroplasty, and certain surgeries.
      • Addition of the SaveOn Adapt Specialty Pharmacy Program: This program helps employees and the College save on specialty prescriptions by coordinating customers with copay assistance programs available from the pharmaceutical manufacturers.
      • Addition of the Clinical Days Fill Pharmacy Program: This program limits initial fills for some specialty medications intended to improve adherence leading to better health outcomes, prevent waste and improve cost savings.
    • Gold Plan enrollment is sunsetting meaning that only employees enrolled in the Gold Plan in 2024 may elect the Gold Plan in 2025.
      • Employees who are not enrolled in the plan during 2024 will not be able to elect it in 2025 and beyond. These employees may elect the Silver or Bronze plans in 2025.
      • Employees currently enrolled in this plan may continue to elect the Gold Plan or they may change to another medical plan during Open Enrollment (such as the Silver or Bronze Plans).
      • Current Gold Plan enrollees with qualifying life events may move from one type of enrollment to another (e.g. from employee-only to employee + spouse or family coverage).
    • In-Network Deductibles and Out-of-Pocket maximums will be adjusted as follows:
      • Bronze Plan: $3,000/$6,000 deductible | $6,000/$12,000 Out-of-Pocket maximum (Individual in Family Out-of-Pocket maximum $8,000)
      • Silver Plan: $2,500/$5,000 deductible | $3,750/$7,500 Out-of-Pocket maximum
      • Gold Plan: $550/$1,100/$1,650 deductible $3,600/$7,200/$10,800 Out-of-Pocket maximum

    2025 Medical Rate Updates:

    The allocation between Employer and Employee costs will remain the same as last year:

    • Gold and Silver plans: 75% Employer/25% Employee
    • Bronze plan: 80% Employer/20% Employee
    • Employee premiums for all Cigna health insurance plans and coverage levels will increase overall by 10%.

    Dental Insurance:

    • There are no changes to the Northeast Delta Dental Plan coverage, the Base and Enhanced Plans will continue to be offered.
    • Employee biweekly premiums on the vision plan will not be changing from 2024.

    Vision Insurance:

    • There are no changes to the Vision Service Plan (VSP) coverage, the Base and Enhanced Plans will continue to be offered.
    • Employee biweekly premiums on the vision plan will not be changing from 2024.

  • Yes, Cigna One Guide is a free, confidential service to help you choose your medical plan. Call 888.806.5042 for this support.

  • Yes, new Pet Insurance through Nationwide! This is a new offering of pet insurance through Nationwide. Employees have the option to enroll directly through Nationwide, for payroll premium deduction.

    • Visit benefits.petinsurance.com/champlain or call 877-738-7874 to get a quote and sign up for Pet Insurance. Nationwide will send the Benefits Team information regarding payroll deduction for those who enroll in Pet Insurance.
    • As you enroll or get quotes, you will need your person number which is on your pay slip.
    • Pre-existing conditions are not covered by the Nationwide plans.
    • There are no breed exclusions as of October 2024.

    Claims are processed through Nationwide by email to submitmyclaim@petinsurance.com.

  • The college will sunset participation in the Whole Life Insurance through Unum as well as the  Gold Medical Plan. Current participants may remain enrolled, but no new entrants are  permitted.

  • Yes. There will also be changes to these benefits in 2025:

    • Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurances: Life Insurance coverage provided by the College will be 1.5x annual earnings up to the maximum coverage amount of $600,000.
    • Long Term Disability: Long Term Disability benefits will reduce to 60% of base earnings up to $10,000 per month.
    • The Edge Gym Membership: Payroll deduction for this optional benefit will increase to $7.50 per paycheck.

  • There are no new features for the retirement plans for 2025. However, each year the IRS updates the contribution limit maximums. Those limits for next year have not been released as of the timing of this publication. You may change your retirement contributions in Oracle. Please contact TIAA at 800-842-2252 if you have questions about your account, investments, or beneficiary.

  • If you would like to decrease your Voluntary Life and/or AD&D Insurance, you may do so through Open Enrollment in Oracle. No additional forms will be required.

    If you would like to increase your Voluntary Life and/or AD&D Insurance, you may do so through Open Enrollment in Oracle. In addition, you will be required to complete an Evidence of Insurability (EOI) form after Open Enrollment if you increase your coverage above the Guaranteed Issue amount. The EOIlink will be sent to you after Open Enrollment.

    If you would like to enroll in Voluntary Life and/or AD&D Insurance for the first time, you may do so through Open Enrollment in Oracle. In addition, regardless of the amount you elect, you will be required to complete an Evidence of Insurability (EOI) form after Open Enrollment. The EOI link will be sent to you after Open Enrollment.

Enrollment & Eligibility

  • Between October 21 and November 1, 2024, we are requiring all benefit eligible employees to take an active role in their 2025 benefits elections. This means you must log in to Oracle and go through the open enrollment process.

    The IRS requires certain benefits to be re-elected each year. You will need to re-enroll in the health and dependent care FSA for 2025. The IRS also requires that you re-enroll in your Health Savings Account (HSA) each year if you enroll in a high deductible health plan (HDHP). However, you may change your HSA deferrals by emailing the details of your requested change to benefits@gmhec.org throughout the year without an IRS Change in Status/Qualifying Life Event.

    This is your only opportunity to elect or change your benefits for 2025, unless an IRS Qualifying Life Event/Change in Status takes place during 2025.

  • Everyone must enroll in their benefits between October 21 and November 1, 2024. If you miss this window, you will not be able to make benefit changes for 2024 unless you have an IRS Change in Status event (examples include marriage, birth or adoption of a child, etc).

  • Yes! Benefits eligible employees must enroll themselves through their account in Oracle HCM. The only exception will be if you do not have access to Oracle through a computer, tablet or Smartphone. If this applies to you, please call the GMHEC Benefits Services Team at 802-443-5485 to request enrollment support for your 2025 benefits.

  • If you lose coverage that you have elsewhere, per the IRS, you will have 30 days to enroll in a College Plan. Please Record a Life Event in Oracle or email benefits@gmhec.org as soon as possible (within 30 days of the event) if this occurs and we will assist you.

  • Your elections for plan year 2025 will start on January 1, 2025 and run through December 31, 2025 as long as you remain benefits eligible.

  • Review the 2025 Benefit Guide which can be found on your college website or employee portal. Share the information with family members, if applicable. There are also several videos available to view on the benefit programs. If you will be covering a spouse or dependent, be prepared to enter each dependent’s full name, date of birth, gender, and Social Security Number.

    If you have specific questions please email us at benefits@gmhec.org or call us at 802-443-5485 and we will be happy to assist you.

  • Oracle provides a summary of your current Here’s the path to access it:

    • Go to Oracle HCM and look under Me
    • Click on the Benefits tile
    • Click on Your Benefits
    • Under Select a Benefit you can view the Retirement Program or the Health & Welfare Program. Select one.
    • You will be brought to a screen where you can review your current benefit enrollments. There is a drop down where you can select a future date if you would like to review what you selected for 2024 or 2025.

  • On average, enrollment takes less than 20 minutes with Oracle.

  • Employees may make changes during the Annual Enrollment period by accessing Oracle HCM and updating enrollment until the end of the day on November 1, 2024. Employees can also make updates by sending an email to benefits@gmhec.org to request assistance. Changes outside of the Open Enrollment period will need to be substantiated with an IRS qualifying life event.

  • Gym Membership – You may enroll or opt out of this benefit at any time throughout the year.

    Health Savings Account (HSA) Contributions – Employees enrolled in the Silver and Bronze Medical Plan with an HSA may change the amount of their payroll deduction or employee contributions to their HSA account throughout the year. To make changes, email your request to benefits@gmhec.org.

    Pet Insurance – You may enroll or opt out of this benefit anytime throughout the year. Changes must be made by contacting Nationwide directly at 877-738-7874 or
    benefits.petinsurance.com/champlain.

    Retirement Contributions – You may begin retirement plan participation or make changes to your existing deferral elections any time throughout the year. However, Open Enrollment is a good time of year to think about how much you are saving for retirement and make changes if needed. If you are eligible for the College’s employer matching contribution but are not taking full advantage of the benefit, consider making a change during Open Enrollment. Unlike your Open Enrollment elections that go into effect January 1, the changes you make to your retirement contributions in Oracle will be effective in the same pay period you make the election.

  • Those who enroll early will be eligible to win gift cards. The deadlines for raffles are:

    • Submit in Oracle by Wednesday 10/23 for a chance at a $300 gift card!
    • Submit in Oracle by Monday 10/28 for a chance to win a $200 gift card!
    • Submit in Oracle by Thursday 10/31 for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

  • After you have made your elections and click Submit, you will see a confirmation screen with a green header. This will be your only confirmation Oracle does not email an additional confirmation. However, you may review your elections any time by following the steps below. If you still have questions you may call Your Benefits Team at 802-443-5485 or by emailing benefits@gmhec.org.

    • Go to Oracle HCM and look under Me
    • Click on the Benefits tile
    • Click on Your Benefits
    • Under Select a Benefit click the Health & Welfare Program.
    • You will be brought to a screen where you can review your current benefit enrollments. There is a drop down where you can select a future date if you would like to review what you selected for 2025.

Health Savings Accounts (HSA) & Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

  • Yes, the College will continue to contribute a percentage of the deductible for those enrolled in the high deductible health plans. The College contribution is prorated and occurs each pay period. The HSA contribution for 2025 is the same as it is for 2024.

  • Yes, the HSA is your account. All contributions stay with you.

  • If you reach your deductible before the year-end, you may request the College to pre-fund what the College would have contributed for the year to your HSA. You will need to substantiate you have met your deductible and there will be paperwork for you to complete. Please email benefits@gmhec.org if this applies to you during the 2025 year.

  • No, it is not required that you contribute. This is an option for you if you participate in a HDHP. If you do contribute, it will lower your taxable income* and create funds to use for current and/or future medical expenses. This account rolls over each year so you do not forfeit any contributions to the account.

    *CA and NJ employees, please note that HSAs are subject to state taxes

  • No, you may choose to contribute to your HSA at any time. You may also increase or decrease your contribution amount to your HSA at any time. Please contact the benefits team at benefits@gmhec.org to make changes.

  • Yes, but per IRS regulations, you must be enrolled in a Limited Purpose FSA that can only be used for dental and vision expenses. If you enroll in the HSA for 2025 and have remaining FSA funds in 2024, the rolled over FSA funds will move into a Limited Purpose FSA and will only be eligible for Dental and Vision expense reimbursement.

  • An HSA can be used to pay for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses, but you can only contribute to an HSA if you are enrolled in a HDHP (like the Silver or Bronze medical plans). An HSA is a bank account where the money in the account is available for you to spend. The money in an HSA rolls over each year and you do not lose it. You also do not need to substantiate your claims, but you must keep this information for your records should you be audited by the IRS. You can change your contribution amount in the HSA throughout the year.

    A medical FSA can be used to pay for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses when you are not enrolled in an HDHP. With an FSA you can roll over up to $640 at the end of 2024 and any other unspent money will be forfeited. You must also substantiate all your claims to our FSA vendor, otherwise you may be taxed on amounts not substantiated. During Open Enrollment, you must choose your annual election for your FSA and you cannot change that amount throughout the year unless you have an IRS Change in Status. The HSA annual limit is higher than the FSA annual limit.

  • The 2025 HSA limit for an individual is $4,300 and for a 2-Person/Family it is $8,550. If you are 55 or older during 2025 you may contribute an additional $1,000. You must include the Colleges contribution in the overall limit. The IRS has not published the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) limits for 2025, the 2024 limit for the health FSA is $3,200 and the dependent FSA is $5,000.

  • Healthcare.gov has this webpage with more info: Healthcare.gov FSA Information.

Benefit Plans

  • To offer options to all employees. Offering multiple plans gives the employees the option to choose which plan will work best for themselves and their families.

  • No, each plan is separate. Additionally, you may choose to enroll as the employee but you do not need to cover all your dependents. For example, perhaps only you and a child are enrolled in the vision plan, or you have a 6 month old that does not need to be enrolled in the dental.

  • MDLive is convenient, available to you 24/7/365, and is a lower cost option. Whether you are at home, work, or traveling: MDLive is an option to help with most non-emergency medical conditions. The Board Certified doctors can diagnose and prescribe medication for common medical conditions.

  • There is a difference between Telehealth and Telemedicine. Telehealth, MDLive, is not a visit with your primary care doctors. Telemedicine is when you have a visit with your local doctor via virtually or by phone, but not in person. The cost of a telemedicine visit is normally higher than a Telehealth, MDLive visit.

  • Yes! In fact, it is recommended that you use Open Enrollment as an opportunity to update your Life and AD&D Insurance beneficiaries in Oracle. Please remember, your retirement savings beneficiaries are on your retirement plan website and your HSA beneficiaries are on the HealthEquity website. You may want to visit those sites as well to make updates.

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