Annual Open Enrollment
September 18th - October 13th 2023 by 12 Noon
Open Enrollment is your once-a-year opportunity to evaluate and make necessary changes to your benefit programs. It is an opportune time to view health costs and plan changes and decide what best fits your needs.
Benefits Open Enrollment forms can only be accepted between Monday, September 18 through Friday, October 13th, 2023 by Noon.
*Important Information for PERS Platinum & PERS Gold Policy Holders*
The CSU has confirmed that Anthem’s contract with UC Health Systems (including UCSF and UC Davis Health/Hospitals) is set to expire on January 1, 2024. For more information, please visit CalPERS’ 2024 Anthem Blue Cross UC Health System Contract Negotiations FAQ page.
Open Enrollment Process - Let's Get Started!
- Important Reminders
The Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) require re-enrollment every year during Open Enrollment to continue participation. Click on How to Enroll or Make Changes below.
ARAG® legal insurance plan will replace MetLife Legal Plan, effective January 1, 2024. Your options to opt in or out of this legal plan are outlined in the What’s New for 2024? section below.
The Standard - Critical Illness and Accident Insurance: Employees can only enroll or increase coverage in Critical Illness and Accident Insurance at hire or during Open Enrollment. Cancellations and reduction in coverage can be done at any time.
VSP Vision: Enrollment and cancellation for the VSP Premier Plan may only be done during open enrollment after the completion of 12 months of enrollment.
All changes made during Open Enrollment will take effect 1/1/2024, and any premium changes will be reflected on the December pay period paycheck, issue date: 1/1/2024.
- Information Sessions and Virtual Benefits Fair
Were you unable to attend any of our Benefits Open Open Enrollment Sessions? Use the link and passcode below to watch a recording:
Click here to watch a recorded session(opens in new window)
Passcode: maad@n1K
- 2024 Insurance Premiums
Below are the new 2024 medical premiums
Health Plan Rates for 2024 Blue Shield Access + HMO PERS Platinum PERS Gold Employee monthly share of premium All
(except R06)R06 All
(except R06)R06 All
(except R06)R06 Employee Only $0 $0 $232.87 $227.87 $0 $0 Employee + 1 $0 $0 $541.74 $531.74 $0 $0 Employee + 2 or more $0 $0 $795.26 $775.26 $0 $0 All changes made during Open Enrollment will take effect 1/1/2024, and any premium changes will be reflected on the December pay period paycheck, issue date: 1/1/2024.
- How Do I Enroll and/or Make Changes?
Medical and/or Dental
If you’d like to enroll or make changes to your medical and/or dental plans, please complete a Benefits Enrollment/Change Form (PDF).
You can submit this form during Open Enrollment, either via email to benefits@csuchico.edu. Or you can drop it off at the Benefits Office located in Kendall Hall, Room 213, Monday – Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
If submitting electronically, please do not submit any documents with Social Security numbers on them, as e-mail is not secure.
If you’re making a plan change only, there is no need to submit marriage/birth certificates with the Benefits Enrollment/Change Form, as we already have these documents on file. Please be sure to list everyone on your plan in Section F to make sure no one is excluded from the plan.
If you’re enrolling for the first time or adding a new dependent, please see the required documentation listed on the Benefits Enrollment/Change Form.
Premier Vision Plan (VSP)
Benefit eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the CSU paid VSP Basic Family Plan.
For an additional cost you have the option to enroll in the VSP Premier Plan(opens in new window). This enrollment process needs to be done directly with VSP during Open Enrollment. (Note, if you have dependents on your plan, to keep their vision benefits, you’ll need to enroll all of your family members in the Premier Plan otherwise they’ll lose their vision benefits). See VSP Vision Coverage brochure (PDF) for comparison of Basic and Premier plans.
Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA)
To start or continue participation with HCRA/DCRA, please complete the 2024 Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account Form (PDF). You can either email the completed form during Open Enrollment to benefits@csuchico.edu or you can drop it off at the Benefits Office in Kendall Hall, Room 213.
If submitting electronically, please do not submit any documents with Social Security numbers on them, as e-mail is not secure.
2024 HCRA & DCRA BROCHURE LINKS
The Standard Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
To apply for Critical Illness or Accident Insurance coverage, simply use one of the options below.
- Enroll online at The Standard(opens in new window)
- Complete the Enrollment Form (PDF) and The California State University Payroll Deduction Authorization (PDF) form and return to The Standard at the following address:
CSU Benefits Team
Standard Insurance Company
900 SW Fifth Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
For more information, visit The Standard’s Group Accident and Critical Illness Insurance website(opens in new window) or call at 800-378-5745.
ARAG® Legal Insurance Plan
ARAG® legal insurance plan will replace MetLife Legal Plan, effective January 1, 2024. If you are not currently enrolled in the legal plan and would like to enroll in the ARAG Legal Plan for 2024, please contact ARAG Customer Care at 800-247-4184 or service@ARAGlegal.com before 5pm on October 13, 2023 and provide policy ID number 19061csu. The ARAG Legal Plan rate will be $16.95 per month. This will be your only opportunity to enroll in the ARAG plan for 2024 and if you enroll, your benefits will begin effective January 1, 2024. Once enrolled, you will receive a welcome email from ARAG with your Member ID and steps to get started.
Additional information can be found on the ARAG website and on their “At a Glance (PDF)” and “Get to Know Us (PDF)” flyers.”
All changes made during Open Enrollment will take effect 1/1/2024, and any premium changes will be reflected on the December pay period paycheck, issue date: 1/1/2024.
- What Am I Currently Enrolled In?
You can check your current enrollment for medical and dental plans by signing into your CSU portal(opens in new window) and clicking on “View Benefits Summary.” Then under “Plan Description” you can see what medical and/or dental plan you’re enrolled in. .
Questions about voluntary benefits? Please contact the Benefits Office at 530-898-5436 or benefits@csuchico.edu.
- What's New for 2024?
New Benefit for Blue Shield Access+ HMO:
Away From Home Care Program (Effective January 1, 2024)
The Away From Home Care program provides convenient healthcare coverage while you are temporarily residing in the service area of a participating host (participating state) for at least 90 consecutive days. The program addresses your healthcare needs if you have one of the following situations:
- A child attending school outside of California.
- Family members living in different service areas outside of California.
- A long-term work assignment outside of California or are a retiree with a dual residence.
Note: Program eligibility is contingent upon the subscriber maintaining a permanent address in California.
To learn about your specific out-of-area healthcare coverage when you are away from home, call a Blue Shield Away From Home Care specialist at (800) 622-9402.New Legal Insurance Plan
ARAG® legal insurance plan will replace MetLife Legal Plan, effective January 1, 2024. Employees currently enrolled in MetLife Legal Plan will be automatically enrolled in the ARAG Legal Plan effective January 1, 2024. No action is needed during open enrollment to remain in the legal plan. The new legal plan rate will be $16.95 per month. Employees that are automatically enrolled in ARAG will receive a welcome email from ARAG with their Member ID and steps to get started. Employees can create their online account, review coverage details and even start a case online.
You can choose to not be enrolled during open enrollment. If you are currently enrolled in the MetLife Legal Plan and do not wish to be automatically enrolled in the new ARAG plan, please contact ARAG Customer Care at 800-247-4184 or service@ARAGlegal.com before 5pm on October 13, 2023 and provide policy ID number 19061csu.
Additional information can be found on the ARAG website and on their “At a Glance (PDF)” and “Get to Know Us (PDF)” flyers.
If you are not currently enrolled in the legal plan and would like to enroll in the ARAG Legal Plan for 2024, please contact ARAG Customer Care at 800-247-4184 or service@ARAGlegal.com before 5pm on October 13, 2023 and provide policy ID number 19061csu.
- Blue Shield Access+ HMO
If you’re currently enrolled in Blue Shield Access+ HMO, here are some of the 2024 changes that could affect you.
Blue Shield Access+ HMO Current and 2024 Rate Comparison 2023 Blue Shield Access+ HMO Premiums 2024 Blue Shield Access+ HMO Premiums Employee monthly share of premium All
(except R06)R06 All
(except R06)R06 Employee Only $0 $0 $0 $0 Employee + 1 $0 $0 $0 $0 Employee + 2 or more $66.79 $46.79 $0 $0 For these and other changes, please see the 2024 Blue Shield Access+ Summary of Benefits (PDF) and the 2024 Evidence of Coverage Blue Shield Access+ HMO (PDF).
If you’re planning on switching insurance plans, we suggest contacting your health care providers prior to making any changes, to confirm they’re contracted with the new insurance plan you’re considering.
Note: Blue Shield Access+ HMO was a California Only Plan. If you (or your covered dependents) resided or obtained services outside of California, only emergency services were covered. However, effective January 1, 2024 Blue Shield is offering a new program:
Away From Home Care Program
The Away From Home Care program provides convenient healthcare coverage while you are temporarily residing in the service area of a participating host (participating state) for at least 90 consecutive days. The program addresses your healthcare needs if you have one of the following situations:
- A child attending school outside of California.
- Family members living in different service areas outside of California.
- A long-term work assignment outside of California or are a retiree with a dual residence.
Note: Program eligibility is contingent upon the subscriber maintaining a permanent address in California.
To learn about your specific out-of-area healthcare coverage when you are away from home, call a Blue Shield Away From Home Care specialist at (800) 622-9402.Note: Blue Shield Access+ HMO is a California Only Plan. If you (or your covered dependents) reside or obtain services outside of California, only emergency services are covered.
- PERS Gold PPO
*Important Information for PERS Platinum & PERS Gold Policy Holders*
The CSU has confirmed that Anthem’s contract with UC Health Systems (including UCSF and UC Davis Health/Hospitals) is set to expire on January 1, 2024. For more information, please visit CalPERS’ 2024 Anthem Blue Cross UC Health System Contract Negotiations FAQ page.
PERS Gold members and their dependents will be assigned a Primary Care Physician (PCP). You will be free to choose a different PCP and it would not change the ability to see a specialist anytime. The assignment of a PCP (e.g., a general practitioner, family practitioner, internist, or pediatrician) will be based on factors such as location, age, and primary language. A PCP will only be assigned to new members and current members who have not selected a PCP.
2023 and 2024 Gold Rate Comparison 2023 PERS Gold Premiums 2024 PERS Gold Premiums Employee monthly share of premium All
(except R06)R06 All
(except R06)R06 Employee Only $0 $0 $0 $0 Employee + 1 $0 $0 $0 $0 Employee + 2 or more $0 $0 $0 $0 PERS Gold Calendar Year Deductible:
- Individual: $1,000
- Family: $2,000
You will receive up to $500 in credits toward your Calendar Year Deductible if you complete the following activities:
- Biometric Screening: $100 Deductible Credit
- Flu Shot: $100 Deductible Credit
- Non-Smoking Certification: $100 Deductible Credit
- Second Opinion: $100 Deductible Credit
- Condition Care Certification: $100 Deductible Credit
If you qualify for all five credits, your 2024 deductible is reduced to: $500 for an individual (instead of $1,000). $1,000 for a family (instead of $2,000).
(All preventive care screenings will count towards the biometric screening credit. Any flu shot within the past 18 months will be credited in the calendar year. Non-Smoking credit will be given unless you are identified as a smoker. Second opinion will be credited unless you have surgery without a second opinion. Condition Care will be credited, unless you are contacted by a nurse and decline to participate in Anthem’s clinical management program).
For these and other plan changes, see the 2024 PERS Gold Summary of Benefits (PDF) and 2024 PERS Gold Evidence of Coverage (PDF).
If you’re planning on switching insurance plans, we suggest contacting your health care providers prior to making any changes, to confirm they’re contracted with the new insurance plan you’re considering.
Note: PERS Gold is considered a California Only plan, however there is a resource to access out of state services. Employees that are enrolled in PERS Gold PPO and reside in the State of California they are eligible to use the BlueCard Program available through the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The BlueCard Program allows PERS Gold Members who are traveling or temporarily outside California (i.e. college student) and require medical care or treatment to use local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan participating providers throughout the United States at any time.
To locate a Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan participating provider, they may:
- Call the toll-free BlueCard Provider Access number at 1-800-810-BLUE (1-800-810-2583).
- Ask your Physician or provider if he or she participates in the local Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Plan.
- Access the Blue National Doctor and Hospital Finder using the Find a Doctor or Hospital link on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association website at www.bcbs.com(opens in new window).
- Request a Preferred Provider directory by calling 1-877-PERS-PPO (1-877-737-7776). - PERS Platinum PPO
*Important Information for PERS Platinum & PERS Gold Policy Holders*
The CSU has confirmed that Anthem’s contract with UC Health Systems (including UCSF and UC Davis Health/Hospitals) is set to expire on January 1, 2024. For more information, please visit CalPERS’ 2024 Anthem Blue Cross UC Health System Contract Negotiations FAQ page.
PERS Platinum members and their dependents will be assigned a Primary Care Physician (PCP). You will be free to choose a different PCP and it would not change the ability to see a specialist anytime. The assignment of a PCP (e.g., a general practitioner, family practitioner, internist, or pediatrician) will be based on factors such as location, age, and primary language. A PCP will only be assigned to new members and current members who have not selected a PCP.
2023 and 2024 Premium Rate Comparison 2023 PERS Platinum Premiums 2024 PERS Platinum Premiums Employee monthly share of premium All
(except R06)R06 All
(except R06)R06 Employee Only $200.89 $195.89 $232.87 $227.87 Employee + 1 $468.78 $458.78 $541.74 $531.74 Employee + 2 or more $694.11 $674.11 $795.26 $775.26 PERS Platinum PPO will continue to cover 90% of the allowed charges after members meet the $500 calendar year deductible. For these and other changes, please review the 2024 PERS Platinum Summary of Benefits (PDF) and the 2024 PERS Platinum Evidence of Coverage (PDF).
If you’re planning on switching insurance plans, we suggest contacting your health care providers prior to making any changes, to confirm they’re contracted with the new insurance plan you’re considering.
- Dental and Vision
Dental:
Dental premiums are entirely paid by the CSU. The CSU offers two dental plans, Delta Dental PPO Enhanced II and DeltaCare USA HMO Enhanced.
A few key differences between the 2 dental plans: DeltaCare USA HMO Enhanced Delta Dental PPO Enhanced II Only 3 contracted dental providers in our area Wider network of contracted providers No local contracted pediatric dental providers Offers local contracted pediatric dental providers No deductible or calendar year maximum $50 per person yearly deductible and $2,000 per person yearly maximum Doesn't cover dental implants Covers 80% of dental implants (subject to yearly deductible and yearly maximum) Eligible for services in California only Eligible for nationwide services For more information about the CSU dental plans, please review the 2024 dental side-by-side comparison (PDF) sheet.
Additional Benefits offered by Delta Dental:
Delta Dental members have access to Member Perks. For more information about these perks and cost saving benefits, please visit the Delta Dental Member Perks website.
Vision:
Benefit eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the CSU paid VSP Basic Family Plan.
For an additional cost you have the option to enroll in the VSP Premier Plan(opens in new window). This enrollment process needs to be done directly with VSP during Open Enrollment. (Note, if you have dependents on your plan, to keep their vision benefits, you’ll need to enroll all of your family members in the Premier Plan otherwise they’ll lose their vision benefits). See VSP Vision Coverage brochure (PDF) (PDF) for comparison of Basic and Premier plans.
Additional Benefits offered by VSP:
VSP members are eligible for VSP Exclusive Member Extras. This program offers savings on eye care products as well as travel and entertainment discounts. For more information about this program, please visit the VSP website(opens in new window) and click on the “OFFERS” link at the top of the page.
- Are There Other Medical Plans Available?
Please see CalPERS(opens in new window) for a complete listing of all CalPERS medical plans.
Note: Some of these plans require you live in an eligible region to enroll. Plans listed on the CalPERS website may have a limited number of in-network providers and facilities in our area. Please contact the Benefits Office if you have any additional questions.
- Recurso para empleados the habla hispana acerca de Inscripción abierta
Open Enrollment Resource for Spanish Speaking Employees - Recurso para empleados the habla hispana acerca de Inscripción abierta.
La Unidad de Beneficios se complace en anunciar que ahora tenemos un recurso disponible para ayudar a los empleados de habla hispana con la Inscripción Abierta 2024. Comuníquese con benefits@csuchico.edu para obtener más información y/o programar una cita para revisar los cambios de los planes para el 2024 y completar los formularions para Inscripción Abierta, y lo conectaremos con un miembro de habla hispana de la comunidad del campus para obtener ayuda. - Additional Information
- Open Enrollment Benefits Guidebook (PDF)
- 2024 Health Plan Rates and Side-by Side Comparison (PDF)
- 2024 Evidence of Coverage Blue Shield Access+ HMO (PDF)
- 2024 Blue Shield Access+ HMO Summary of Benefits (PDF)
- 2024 PERS Platinum Summary of Benefits (PDF)
- 2024 PERS Platinum Evidence of Coverage (PDF)
- 2024 PERS Gold Summary of Benefits (PDF)
- 2024 PERS Gold Evidence of Coverage (PDF)
- 2024 Dental Plan Side-by-Side Comparison (PDF) (both dental plan premiums are paid fully by the CSU)
- Vision Plans Side-by-Side Comparison (PDF)
- CSU Employees VSP Benefits Basic - free plan paid by the CSU
- Premier - additional voluntary cost
Questions?
Please review the Open Enrollment FAQ
For specific questions or to schedule an appointment (either in person or via zoom) with a Benefits Analyst, please email benefits@csuchico.edu or call the campus Benefits Office at 530-898-5436.