Open Enrollment for 2024-25 Massachusetts GIC Health Insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts Now Open Through May 1

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Open enrollment for Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC) Health Insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts is now open through May 1 for coverage effective July 1, 2024.

Open enrollment is the annual opportunity to enroll for, cancel or change GIC health insurance coverage, to enroll (or re-enroll) in the Flexible Spending Accounts or enroll to participate in the GIC Buy-Out Program.

During open enrollment, university employees are encouraged to:

• Review the 2024-25 GIC Benefit Decision Guide for insurance coverage and premium information. GIC health insurance plans can only be changed outside of open enrollment if you move out of your plan’s network area.
• Verify if your doctors and hospitals remain in your health insurance plan’s network, verify provider and hospital tiers. Health plan provider and hospital networks change each July 1. Plan information is provided on health insurance plan’s websites; hospital network & tier information is available under GIC Hospital List.
• Submit open enrollment health insurance changes online via the MyGICLink portal or in person at the UMass Amherst Human Resources Employee Service Center by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. 
• Enroll or re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) online with TASC before midnight on May 1, 2024 for plan year 2024-25. 
• Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) allows you to spend up to $3,200 of pre-tax funds on qualified health care expenses (e.g., co-pays and deductibles, expenses for medically necessary care not covered by a health plan).
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) allows you to spend up to $5,000 of pre-tax funds on expenses incurred to have qualified dependents cared for while you work. Qualified dependents are under age 13 or tax-dependent adults who reside with you and are incapable of self-care. Note the DCAP limit is $2,500 if you are married and filing taxes separately. 

For FSA plan year 2024-25, FSA expenses must be incurred by of September 15, 2025, or the end of employment (whichever is earlier). Calculate your election carefully, as election amounts cannot be changed mid-year without a qualifying event and funds not spent on qualifying expenses during this period are forfeited.

Learn more about FSAs can be found in the 2024-25 GIC Benefit Decision Guide, on the Human Resources website and on TASC’s website.

Please note:

• Open enrollment elections must be submitted online via the MyGICLink portal or in person at the UMass Amherst Human Resources Employee Service Center for receipt by 5pm Wednesday, May 1, 2024. HR is unable to process enrollment/change forms received after open enrollment ends.
• For employees in AFSCME or PSU/MTA, MPE Fund will mail open enrollment materials for dental insurance to your home.
• Employees in USA/MTA or MSP/MTA may enroll or modify covered family members to your MTA Dental Plan at any time. Contact UMass Human Resources for assistance.
• Non-Unit dental insurance open enrollment is during the month of October.

For questions, contact The GIC at 617-727-2310, TASC at 800-745-9202, UMass Human Resources’ online AskHR service or in person at the UMass Amherst Human Resources Employee Service Center.