Get Your Open Enrollment Questions Answered

1. How do I sign up for 2025 benefits?

Complete the open enrollment checklist in My Total Access (available through the Carilion network or apps.CarilionClinic.org if you're remote) by Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Allow extra time to complete the open enrollment checklist; accessing My Total Access through the portal may be slow if there are high volumes.

2. Will my benefit plans and premiums change in 2025?

We are happy to announce that the plan design for most benefits is similar to what was offered in 2024. While annual benefit premiums are not changing for 2025, benefit deductions will come out of 24 pay periods instead of 26. So, you will have a couple pay periods without deductions. The Open Enrollment 2025 hub explains when you have paychecks without deductions and what benefits are taken out of which pay checks. 

All premium rates can be found on the Contribution Summary. 

3. If my job changed recently, will that affect my premium?

While benefits plans and premiums will look similar to what was offered in 2024, medical premiums for 2025 are based on your base salary as of Oct. 1, 2024. If you received a promotion, merit increase or other adjustment this year that increased your hourly rate of pay, you may be in a different tier for 2025. Refer to the Contribution Summary for premium amounts.   

4. Are there any new options for open enrollment?

Yes! There will be two new voluntary benefits for 2025: legal insurance and two pet insurance options.  

• LegalEASE offers a legal insurance plan that provides support and protection for unexpected personal legal matters. One plan covers employees, spouse/domestic partner and dependent children (up to age 26) for one rate. With LegalEASE, you can get an attorney with expertise specific to your personal legal matter and assistance with life events, like will and estate planning and traffic matters. Enroll through My Total Access during open enrollment.
• Met Life Pet Insurance offers flexible insurance plans that provide coverage for your pets to help you prepare for unexpected vet costs.
• Wagmo Wellness Pet Insurance offers three comprehensive wellness plans to choose from to support preventive care.

Enroll with one or both pet insurance vendors. Pricing and enrollment are handled through Met Life and Wagmo websites. 

5. I am already enrolled in an FSA. Do I need to do anything to continue using my FSA in 2025?

Yes, to participate in the dependent care and healthcare FSAs, you must enroll or re-enroll each year (enrollment is not automatic). 

Any healthcare or dependent care FSA balance from 2024 will be available to use through Saturday, March 15, 2025.

6. How much can I contribute to my FSAs in 2025?

• The Healthcare FSA annual max contribution amount for 2025 is $3,300.
• The Dependent Care FSA annual max contribution amount is $5,000.

For more information on how FSAs work, see the recent article Can FSAs Help You Save in 2025? and the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account page and the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account page on the Benefits, Pay and Well-being hub. 

7. What if I miss the open enrollment deadline?

Unless you have a major life event, such as the birth of a child, this is the only opportunity to change your benefits all year.

If you do not go through open enrollment, your current benefits elections will roll over to 2025—with the exception of the FSA. Enrollment in the FSA is not automatic; you have to enroll or re-enroll each year.

8. I didn't enroll in the short-term disability (STD) or long-term disability (LTD) benefits when I was first hired. Can I enroll during open enrollment?

Yes, you can always enroll in the STD and LTD benefits during open enrollment. In fact, outside of being newly hired, open enrollment is the only time you can enroll in STD and LTD benefits. You cannot enroll in STD and LTD benefits during a qualifying event. If you enroll in STD or LTD outside of when first eligible as a new hire, you may experience a late enrollment penalty if using the benefits in the first 12 months after enrollment. The 2025 Benefits Changes tab on the Open Enrollment 2025 hub has more information about enrolling in a STD during open enrollment.

9. Are there any enhancements to help me tend to my well-being?    

Yes! Virgin Pulse (soon to be Personify Health) has many resources and tools to help you meet your wellness goals—including a new benefit. Weight Watchers is coming to Personify Health in January 2025 at no charge to you!

10. What resources are available to help with my benefits questions?

These resources are available 24/7, all year long:

• Attend your own personal benefits fair to learn more about your benefits from plan carriers.
• Talk to ALEX, our virtual benefits counselor; he has all the knowledge on 2024 benefits to help you make choices about important life events.

We also have a free retirement educator to help you plan for the future. The retirement educator now offers a Spanish speaking option and later hours for meetings.

A flyer has more information about how you can get personalized retirement planning.

You may also contact Human Resources with specific questions about your benefits or enrolling.