We are officially in Open Enrollment season! Once again, it is time to revisit and consider making changes to our health and welfare benefits. This year’s Open Enrollment period will take place from Monday, October 9, 2017, through 8 p.m. EST on Friday, October 27, 2017. Most benefits elected during this period will take effect on January 1, 2018.
As you begin to receive Open Enrollment materials, be sure to read through them carefully and take note of important events and deadlines. To help you with the process, we’ve put together an Open Enrollment checklist:
Read overview of 2018 benefits
You can learn about 2018 benefit programs and changes in the 2018 Benefits Overview. The document also touches upon what’s staying the same with your benefits for 2018, and provides important contact information.
Register for Castlight within minutes
Castlight is now available at no cost to GW employees and their spouses/domestic partners and adult dependents enrolled in a GW medical plan. The new personalized, online tool helps you and your family find high-quality, affordable care, compare prices and more! Employees who register by October 27, 2017, will be entered in a drawing for a $400 Visa® Gift Card. Current GW medical plan participants: Register for Castlight today at mycastlight.com/gw. (Winnings are taxable and will be included in payroll.)
Bookmark the Annual Open Enrollment webpage
Bookmark our Annual Open Enrollment webpage, your hub for critical Open Enrollment information. Here, you will find all relevant 2018 benefits information in one spot – from benefits overviews to employee contribution information to lists of upcoming events. The annual comprehensive Open Enrollment Guide is now available for download on this webpage as well.
Direct questions to the call center
Do you have questions regarding any of GW’s health and welfare employee benefits plans? The GW Benefits Call Center can assist! Contact the call center at (888) 4GWUBEN (449-8236) from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.
From October 9-27, 2017, the call center will have extended hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.
Book your appointment for a free flu shot
Flu shots will be offered to GW faculty and staff at no cost during the annual Open Enrollment fairs in October. Book your appointment now at go.gwu.edu/flu. (When prompted, enter zip code of the GW campus where you wish to receive your flu shot: 20052 for Foggy Bottom and 20147 for VSTC.) You must present your GW or other health insurance card at time of appointment. Please note: High dose flu shots, generally recommended for those over age 65, will not be available. If you require a high dose flu shot, please consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacy.
Follow us on Twitter
Follow @gw_benefits for your daily dose of employee benefits news. We’ll tweet the latest information, updates and reminders throughout Open Enrollment.
Open Enrollment is fast approaching. Stay tuned as we roll out more communications in the coming weeks. And be sure to check out our October Open Enrollment checklist next month.
