The Fund’s annual Open Enrollment usually takes place in November and December. The benefit elections you make during Open Enrollment take effect on the following January 1.
Open Enrollment gives you a once-a-year right to:
- Enroll in health care benefits through the Fund if you are not already enrolled
- Change your medical plan choice, if available
- Change your dental plan choice
- Add eligible family members to your coverage
- Drop family members from your coverage
- Discontinue your Fund-provided coverage
Each year in the fall, you will receive an Open Enrollment notice. To enroll, be sure to return an enrollment form to the Fund Office by the deadline listed in your notice. If you do not receive your Open Enrollment notice by November 15, and you want to make changes to your benefits elections, contact the Fund Office.
When adding eligible dependents for coverage, you must provide the Fund with copies of certain documents listed in the instructions provided with your enrollment form.
Once enrolled, your premium contribution will be deducted from your paycheck in the current month. You generally cannot drop your coverage for yourself or any enrolled family members until the next Open Enrollment period. Exceptions are provided in very limited circumstances (such as if you are paying the full cost for a dependent’s coverage). Contact the Fund Office if you have questions.
If you choose not to take action during the annual Open Enrollment period, you must wait until the next year’s Open Enrollment period to change your coverage. However, certain qualified life events may provide you with a special enrollment right (e.g., having a baby) and allow you to change your coverage at other times during the year.