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World Diabetes Day

Employee Benefits, Health

World Diabetes Awareness takes place throughout November and this year’s theme is “Family and Diabetes”.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is raising awareness of the impact that diabetes has on the family and support network of those affected. Families and caregivers play an important role in the management, care, prevention, and education of diabetes.

Noticing the Warning Signs

Families are urged to learn more about the warning signs of diabetes and find out their risk of type 2 diabetes. Research conducted by IDF in 2018 discovered that parents would struggle to spot this serious life-long condition in their own children. Although the majority of people surveyed has a family member with diabetes, four-in-five parents indicated they would have trouble recognizing the warning signs. One-in-three wouldn’t spot them at all.

Be More Informed

Test your diabetes knowledge and assess the risk of type 2 diabetes through an online quiz and assessment.

Manage Diabetes with Livongo

GW offers CVS Health’s Transform Diabetes Care with Livongo (TDC/ Livongo), a total condition level management program designed to improve health outcomes and lower your pharmacy costs. On average, people with diagnosed diabetes incur medical expenses that are approximately 2.3 times higher than those of non-diabetics, according to the American Diabetes Association. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and participate in a GW medical plan, you’re eligible to participate.  To enroll, visit livongo.com using registration code “GW.”

Stacked coins, with plants sprouting out of them

Retirement and Financial Wellbeing Fair – November 12, 2019

Financial Wellness

Mark Your Calendars: Retirement and Financial Wellbeing Fair

Join us Tuesday, November 12 for the bi-annual Financial Wellbeing and Retirement Fair at the Foggy Bottom campus.  One-hour sessions are curated for all employees, regardless of your financial or career stage. Being empowered to chart your financial journey not only rewards the future you, but it reduces stress in the present. Join us for the following sessions:

Retirement Track:

  • “Within Reach: Transitioning from Career to Retirement” by TIAA
  • Retire from GW, presented by Paul Martin, GW Benefits Administrator for Retirement
  • Medicare Supplemental Plans
  • Maximize Social Security in Your Retirement Strategy

Financial Wellbeing Track:

  • Getting and Keeping Good Credit
  • Invest Confidently for Your Future
  • Your Debt Free Game Plan
  • “Women’s Guide to Financially Ever After”

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Employee Benefits

Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in developed and developing countries.1 To mark world awareness of the disease, pink ribbons adorn shopping bags, advertisements and even food items marking Breast Cancer Awareness.  Take time this month to review FAQs about breast cancer and see if you’re eligible for a free screening.

Is Breast Cancer Screening Covered?

The two tests commonly used to screen for breast cancer are the mammogram and a clinical breast exam (CBE). Under the GW HSP and PPO medical plans, one mammogram per year is covered at 100% at age 40 and over.  If you are at a higher risk of breast cancer, your doctor might want to use other tests too, such as a different type of mammogram or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The National Cancer Institute recommends that:

  • Women 40 years and older should get a mammogram every one to two years.
  • Women who have had breast cancer or other breast problems or who have a family history of breast cancer might need to start getting mammograms before age 40, or they might need to get them more often. Talk to your doctor about when to start and how often you should have a mammogram.

Is It Possible to Prevent Breast Cancer?

Many factors over the course of a lifetime can influence your breast cancer risk. You can’t change some factors, such as getting older or your family history, but you can help lower your risk of breast cancer by taking care of your health in the following ways—

What Steps Should I Take if Breast Cancer Runs in My Family?

There’s no way to know whether you’ll get breast cancer even if it runs in your family. According to the American Cancer Society, most women who develop breast cancer don’t have any relatives with the illness. But it’s true that a family history of breast cancer does increase your risk.

If your family history raises red flags, start by talking with your doctor about your family health history. That includes both sides — your mother’s and your father’s. Along with other factors, this can help your doctor evaluate your risk.

If you’re at an increased risk of developing breast cancer, you and your doctor can discuss your options. They may include:

  • A close eye. You may need earlier and more frequent breast exams. This stepped-up monitoring can help find cancer early — and boost the chances of successful treatment. Talk to your doctor about what tests you need and how often you should get them.
  • Genetic testing. Women who test positive for an inherited gene may choose more aggressive screening and treatment options.
  • Over time, estrogen exposure can affect the risk of breast cancer. For women at high risk, doctors may prescribe certain medicines that act against this hormone.
  • Surgery – for women at high risk. Some women may consider preventive surgery. A double mastectomy — removing both breasts — may significantly lower the risk. So might removal of both ovaries in premenopausal women in this group.

These steps aren’t right for everyone. They are typically not recommended for women at average risk. Your doctor can help you determine what’s right for you. Be sure to check your benefit plan to see what services may be covered.

How Can I Support My Friend/Family Member with a Recent Diagnosis?

Many studies have found that cancer survivors with strong emotional support tend to better adjust to the changes cancer brings to their lives, have a more positive outlook, and often report a better quality of life. Research has shown that people with cancer need support from friends. You can make a big difference in the life of someone with cancer.3

  • Send brief, frequent notes or texts, or make short, regular calls. Include photos, kids’ drawings, silly cards, and cartoons.
  • Schedule a visit that allows you to give physical and emotional support for the caregiver, too. Maybe you can arrange to stay with your friend to provide the caregiver with a couple of hours outside of the house.
  • Try to visit at times other than weekends or holidays, when others may visit. Time can seem the same to a house-bound patient. A Tuesday morning can be just as lonely as a Saturday night.
  • Try to refrain from offering medical advice or your opinions on things like diet, vitamins, and herbal therapies

 

1https://www.who.int/cancer/events/breast_cancer_month/en/

2 https://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/health-topics/cancer/breast-cancer/family-history

3https://www.cancer.org/treatment/caregivers/how-to-be-a-friend-to-someone-with-cancer.html

E-Cigarettes: Resources to Understand the Risks

Discounts & Perks, Health

An outbreak of severe lung disease among users of electronic cigarettes has recently made headlines across the country.

According to the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 805 cases have been reported in 46 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The CDC has confirmed 12 deaths, in 10 states. The median age of patients was 23 and 69% were male, according to a report published on September 27, 2019 by the agency.

Our Quit for Life partner has shared the following resources to help educate our GW community about the risks of e-cigarettes and how to have conversations about the dangers with your family, particularly teens.

Know the Risks:

https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/

Be Informed:

1https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/09/18/760635457/the-vaping-illness-outbreak-what-we-know-so-far

World Mental Health Day

Health, Mental Health

During October, World Mental Health Day is observed with the objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. Here at GW, we recognize that mental health touches all of us in unique ways, and by sharing resources to provide support we can do our part in reducing the stigma and increasing the dialogue within our workplace.

The majority of us are or have been affected by mental illness – whether as an individual or as a caregiver. One in four families has a relative with a mental illness and one in 17 Americans have a serious mental condition.

WHERE CAN I TURN?

As a GW Employee, Resources for Living offers up to five free counseling sessions to employees and their dependents. Simply call 866-522.8509. Your HR representative can also help put you in touch with Resources for Living or call Benefits at 571.553.8382. We are here to help.

REMEMBER, SOMETIMES SAYING “HI” IS ALL IT TAKES

Picking up the phone for a quick chat in traffic (hands-free, course), or sending a “Good Morning!” text can make all the difference. When life feels like it’s pulling you down, it’s easier to close up than it is to open up.  Connecting with friends and family can help release the burdens in one’s mind and remove the sense of isolation that quickly builds in mental health.

How to Pick a Medical Plan Slides

Medical Plans

UnitedHealthcare presented “How to Pick a Medical Plan” info-sessions throughout August and September.  In case you missed the sessions, the slides are now available on the Benefits website.

The information presented helps provide an overview of the university’s medical plans, including comparisons of the GW PPO and GW HSP. Still have questions? Join us for our final Open Enrollment Fair on Wednesday, October 23rd. The fair will be held at the Foggy Bottom campus. The Benefits team along with our medical plan administrator, UnitedHealthcare, will be on-hand to answer your questions and provide assistance as you make your decisions for 2020 Benefits.

FSA vs. HSA – What’s the Difference?

FSA and HSA

Open Enrollment is full of choices – one faced by many is how to best maximize tax savings that accompany some health benefits. Choosing to contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Savings Account (HSA) can be confusing. How do you decide between the two? Is one better than the other?

Below, we take an in-depth look at both financial tools (Feel free to skip to the Conclusion for a quick overview of both.)

Flexible Spending Account

With a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can use pre-tax dollars to pay for certain allowed expenses. Pre-tax means that you do not pay federal, state or employment taxes on contributions you make to an FSA.

There are two plans under the FSA:

The Health Care FSA (HCFSA) is used for eligible out-of-pocket health care costs, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. The annual maximum for the HCFSA is $2,700 in 2020, as per IRS regulations.

The Dependent Day Care FSA (DCFSA) is used for eligible dependent care expenses while you work, including daycare, after-school programs, and home care. The annual maximum for the DCFSA is $5,000 in 2020, as per IRS regulations.

You can choose to contribute to one or both of these FSA options. You cannot use HCFSA dollars to pay for dependent daycare expenses, and vice versa (each of these accounts is independent of the other).

How the plans work:

You decide how much you want to contribute to one or both FSAs for the calendar year.

Your contributions are then taken out of your pay in equal amounts each pay period before taxes are deducted.

When you and your tax-qualified dependents incur eligible expenses, use your FSA Debit Card to pay for health care and/or dependent day care expenses at participating locations, or file a claim online, via fax or mail for reimbursement. Note: Be sure to keep your itemized receipts in case you are asked to provide supporting documentation.

Your reimbursements are paid to you tax-free.

FSAs are “use it or lose it,” meaning that you forfeit any unused balance at the end of the plan year – with one exception. The HCFSA has a “grace period” of two and a half extra months (January 1 – March 15 of the following year) allowing you to use money in your account; the DCFSA follows the calendar year and does not have a grace period.

Your FSA elections do not carry over from year to year, and you must re-enroll each year to participate. You do not need to have medical coverage through GW to elect the FSA. You can only change how much you wish to contribute to the FSA during Open Enrollment or if you experience a Qualified Live Event (QLE), such as a change in marital status, birth or adoption of a child, change in spouse’s work status or coverage, etc.

Health Savings Account

You are only eligible to participate in a Health Savings Account (HSA) if you are covered by a high deductible health plan, like the GW Health Savings Plan (HSP).  Similar to the HCFSA, the HSA allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars to pay for health care expenses, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

The annual HSA contribution limits for 2020 are:

  • Individual HSP coverage – $3,550
  • Family HSP coverage – $7,100

The HSA has an additional perk: the GW HSA Matching Contribution: GW matches up to $600 for individuals who contribute at least $600, and up to $1,200 for those covering dependents who contribute at least $1,200. And while your contribution is deducted from your paychecks in equal installments throughout the year, the GW matching contribution is made up-front with your first paycheck of the year. (Your contribution + GW’s contribution cannot exceed the annual IRS limits.)

In order to be eligible to enroll in an HSA, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You must be covered under a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), such as the GW HSP
  • You cannot be covered under a non-HDHP along with the HSP
  • If your spouse has non-HDHP coverage, you cannot be covered by that plan
  • If you elect an HSA, your spouse cannot have a Health Care FSA
  • You cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return

Other insurance or accounts not allowed with an HSA:

  • Part A and/or Part B Medicare (In some cases, drawing Social Security benefits automatically enrolls you in Medicare Part A)
  • TRICARE or TRICARE For Life
  • Any VA benefits used within the previous three months, unless used for a service-connected disability

HSA participants cannot participate in the HCFSA. However, if you do enroll in the GW HSP but are not eligible for the HSA (due to a reason listed above), you have the opportunity to participate in the HCFSA.

Contributions to your HSA roll over from year to year and accumulate if not used (a major difference from the FSAs, which are “use it or lose it” and require you to re-enroll each year). You may also change how much you wish to contribute to your HSA at any point during the year.

Conclusion

While the HCFSA and HSA allow employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified health care expenses, only the DCFSA allows employees to use pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent daycare expenses. The HSA benefits from an employer match, but the employee must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible to enroll in an HSA (such as be covered under the GW HSP, not be enrolled in Medicare, etc.); FSAs do not have these types of requirements (you do not need to be covered under a

GW health plan in order to elect the FSA). Annual contribution limits also differ between FSAs and HSAs, and while HSA contributions can roll over from year to year and accumulate, FSAs are “use it or lose it” and require re-enrollment each year. Finally, while HSA contribution amounts can be changed at any point throughout the year, FSA contribution amounts can only be changed during Open Enrollment or after experiencing a QLE.

In short, whether you choose to elect an FSA or HSA is dependent on which option suits your individual or family circumstances and coverage. Certainly, both options are investment tools that help you save for your future. The choice is yours.

Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment 2020 is going on NOW through Friday, October 25th (8 p.m. EST)! This is the time each year for you to revisit your current benefit plans and consider whether any changes are needed for the coming year. To help you along, we created a short checklist to help you make the most of the Open Enrollment season. Keep in mind, benefits elected during this period will take effect on January 1, 2020.

Read The 2020 Benefits Overview

2020 benefits programs and changes are outlined in this quick-read document that summarizes the enhancements and changes for the coming year.  Don’t miss our final Open Enrollment fair on Wednesday, October 23rd in Foggy Bottom!

Bookmark the Annual Open Enrollment webpage

This is your hub for critical Open Enrollment information. Here, you will find all relevant 2020 benefits information in one spot – from the Open Enrollment Guide to employee contribution rates and don’t-miss dates for our final events.

Mark your Calendar

Stretch your legs and walk to the Marvin Center Grand Ballroom in Foggy Bottom for the final Open Enrollment Fair. Our Benefits providers will be on hand to answer questions about the programs they support and GW Benefits team members will also be available to provide enrollment assistance.

If you signed up to receive a flu shot at the Open Enrollment fair on October 23rd, remember to bring your GW or other health insurance card at time of appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.

Please note: High dose flu shots, generally recommended for those over age 65, have been ordered for the Foggy Bottom fair on October 23.  Due to fluctuating daily supplies at area pharmacies, we cannot guarantee that the high-dose flu shot will be available. If you require a high dose flu shot, please consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacy.

EasyEnroll is Easier

This year EasyEnroll has single sign-on capability. If you are logged into a GW-provided computer with your NetID and password, you will automatically be directed into the EasyEnroll site. If you are logging in from a personal computer, you will be prompted to enter your NetID and password. Once logged in select “Open Enrollment for 2020” as the enrollment you’d like to complete.   Visit go.gwu.edu/openenrollment from now through Friday, October 25th 8 p.m. EST to review, change and/or newly elect benefits for 2020.

The Call Center is Here to Help

Do you have questions regarding any of GW’s health and welfare employee benefits plans? The GW Benefits Call Center can assist and will have extended hours during open enrollment! Contact the call center at (888) 4GWUBEN (449-8236) Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (ET) from now until Friday, October 25th 8 p.m. EST.

Register for Castlight within minutes

Castlight is a no cost transparency tool for GW employees and their spouses/domestic partners and adult dependents enrolled in a GW medical plan. The personalized, online tool helps you find high-quality, affordable care, compare prices and more! Employees who register for the first time during the month of October, will be entered in a drawing for a FitBit Charge 3. Current GW medical plan participants: Register at mycastlight.com/gw. (Winnings are taxable and will be included in employee’s taxable wages.)

Free Fall Courses from LSPA

Employee Benefits

The Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences is happy to announce its fall schedule of free classes for faculty and staff. The classes listed below will be offered from Monday, August 26 through Thursday, December 19* at the Foggy Bottom campus.

Yoga (Mondays and Wednesdays, 12 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.)
GWSPH B112B
Please bring your own mat.

ME (Metabolic Effect) – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
GWSPH B112A

Meditation (Thursdays, 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.)
GWSPH 600B

To be eligible for these classes, the designation on your GWorld card must list Faculty or Staff. Please arrive to class on time. Subscribe to the Free Faculty/Staff Classes listserv! Contact the LSPA Program Office at LSPA@gwu.edu or (202) 994-6280 with any questions. *Classes will follow the Academic Calendar and are not held during breaks or holidays.

Don’t forget that GW faculty and staff, graduate, and military/veteran Students pay only $150* to participate in select LSPA courses for the entire Fall semester!  Courses include everything from Pilates to Zumba to Basketball to Cross-training. A full list of available courses is available on the LSPA site. Registration is now open and will end at 11:59 pm on Sunday, September 8.

Click to register and pay by credit or debit card. To register and pay by cash or check, or ask questions about the program, please email lspa@gwu.edu. GWorld cards are not accepted.

New School Year, New Changes

Employee Benefits

For those in school, August can signal a big change. After being off for the summer months, school is back in session. A new routine starts up. Suddenly, schedules may take a sharp turn.

This change can require some adjustment. Students could take some time to settle in, as could those whose schedules are affected as well (like parents, caretakers, etc.). How can we embrace this new agenda?

Change and adjustment can seem intimidating, but they can also represent newness and opportunity. It is okay to feel a little bit sad that summer is coming to an end. Change can be hard. But as we process, it might help to take a look on the bright side. New school years, new seasons and new adventures await!

Can you think of something you’re excited for this school year? Shift your perspective. Log in to myStrength and search for the “Radical Acceptance” activity and other activities that explore resilience and managing stress amid all the details of life.

  • Visit resourcesforliving.com
  • Enter Username: GW-Wellbeing and Password: Yourlife
  • Go to BENEFITS on the menu bar
  • Choose myStrength in the dropdown box
  • Scroll down to the Registration message at the bottom of the page
  • The Access Code to register as an individual user is GW-Wellbeing

Upcoming Financial Wellbeing Webinars and Helpful Tools

Financial Wellness

Americans are living longer than ever before, resulting in lengthy retirements. Start planning for your future today to ensure you’ve thought through expenses – both planned and unplanned.  Our retirement providers, Fidelity and TIAA get the conversation (and thinking) started with the following webinars:

A sample of TIAA webinars offered in September is below. A full list of webinars can be found here.

  • September 18, 3 p.m. EDT – The Starting Line: Beginning to Save for Retirement
    • Learn how to evaluate and manage debt. Find additional ways to save, create a budget and start a retirement plan
  • September 17, 3 p.m. EDT – She’s Got It: A Women’s Guide to Saving and Investing
  • September 19, 3 p.m. EDT – Healthy Numbers: Integrating Healthcare into Your Retirement Plan

Fidelity:

Life Events Effects on Finances Checklist from Fidelity

  • Major life events give us an opportunity to take stock of our current financial status. Review the following helpful checklists from Fidelity that will help you organize, budget and set goals for your future.

Women: Demand More from Your Money and Health

  • One of the biggest anxiety producers for women is money; more than 85% of women are stressed about it across all backgrounds and incomes—can you relate? Hosted by CBS’ Gayle King, Weight Watcher’s Mindy Gross and Fidelity’s Kathleen Murphy listen to the latest podcast from Fidelity that explores 3 secrets to conquering money stress—from women for women.

Running out of time to join a webinar? 

Enjoy this quick Read Article: What Burpees Taught Me About Investing (TIAA).

You can view more webinars here.  Register: www.tiaa.org/webinars

FSA symbols heart and coin

Seven Ways to Use Your Health Care FSA Funds

Employee Benefits, Open Enrollment

The Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows you to set aside money from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses. (Eligibility is determined by the IRS).

Funds may be applied towards medical, dental, vision, hearing and prescription drug expenses – for you and your spouse and eligible tax dependents. GW’s FSAs are administered through PayFlex.

Remember, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules dictate that FSA plans are “use or lose” plans, meaning that if you have a Health Care FSA for 2019 and don’t spend your funds by the end of the grace period on March 15, 2020, you’ll lose them. Check out these creative ways to use up those Health Care FSA dollars:

  1. Stock up on the essentials

Certain standard, over-the-counter medications* and supplies are eligible for FSA spending. This includes First Aid Kits and supplies – including bandages, wraps, adhesives, cold or hot packs, gauze, joint supporters, splints, tape and thermometers – as well as prescriptions for headache medicine, pain relievers, antacids, heartburn medicine and more. Over-the-counter sunscreen products and lip balm are also FSA-eligible. Remember, in order to be reimbursed through your FSA, sunscreen must be at least SPF 15 or higher and protect against two types of ultraviolet radiation: ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B.

*Note per IRS guidelines: Over-the-counter medicine drugs and medicine – such as Advil, Aleve, Anacin, aspirin, Doan’s, Excedrin, HeadOn, IMAK, Motrin and Tylenol – require a prescription from your healthcare professional in order to be reimbursed through the FSA.

  1. Buy some new specs or shades

Once you get your prescription, you can use your Health Care FSA funds to buy new prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, goggles and safety glasses. Other eligible expenses include the tinting of prescription eyewear, eye exams, eye patches, cataract surgery, Lasik surgery, Corneal rings and spec repair.

If you prefer contact lenses, those are also covered – this includes contact lens solution, supplies, exams (including fittings) and shipping and handling fees. Cosmetic contact lenses, such as to change eye color without vision correction, are not eligible.

You can also buy reading glasses with your FSA dollars – no prescription required!

  1. Say bye to blemishes

Get clear skin! Acne treatments are FSA-eligible, as long as you have a prescription from your healthcare professional. Examples of eligible products include, but are not limited to, Acne Free, Acnomel, Bye Bye Blemish, Clean & Clear, Clearasil, Murad Acne Complex Kit, Neutrogena Acne Treatment, OXY, Pro-active Solution, Stri-Dex and SAPZYT Acne Treatment.

  1. Try acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used to relieve discomfort associated with numerous conditions, including back and neck pain, menstrual cramps, headaches and osteoarthritis. Use your Health Care FSA dollars to cover the cost of acupuncture. You can even buy an acupressure mat with your funds, as long as a healthcare professional has provided evidence of its medical necessity.

  1. Prep for childbirth

Expecting a baby? Childbirth classes are partially eligible for reimbursement with an FSA. Only the portion of the class that relates to the process of childbirth is eligible. Examples include breathing and relaxation techniques, stages and phase of labor, labor and delivery procedures and birthing positions. Class time not related to childbirth would not be eligible (e.g., breastfeeding, bottle feeding and newborn care).  If you have questions about how these classes are reimbursed, contact us at benefits@gwu.edu.

  1. Get some ZZZs

For a better night’s sleep, with a prescription from your doctor, you can use your Health Care FSA funds to cover the expense of sleep aids. Eligible over-the-counter products include, but are not limited to, Breathe Clear, Breathe Right, nose cones and Snorezz. Nasal strips to alleviate snoring or reduce nasal congestion and earplugs are also qualified expenses.

  1. Guide animals

The cost of a guide dog or other animal used by a physically, visually or hearing impaired person, or to assist a person with another disability, is an eligible Health Care FSA expense. Amounts paid for the care of a specially trained animal are also covered.

Tip: The costs of handicap license plates/placards and wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers (including the cost of maintenance) are eligible Health Care FSA expenses. You can also use your funds to cover the cost of a specially designed car to hold a wheelchair (to the extent that the cost of the special car exceeds the cost of a regular car).

View the full list of eligible, potentially eligible and ineligible health care expenses, and learn more about GW’s Flexible Spending Accounts, including eligibility information and how to submit a claim to PayFlex.

How To Pick a Medical Plan Seminars

Open Enrollment

Hosted by UHC, the How to Pick a Medical Plan seminars will provide an overview of the university’s medical plans, including a comparison of the GW PPO and GW HSP. Understand your medical options and choose the best plan for you and your family this Open Enrollment season. Seminars will be held both in-person at Foggy Bottom and virtually, and will include a Q&A portion.

Foggy Bottom Campus (Marvin Center 307)

Virtual (via WebEx)

  • September 25, 2019 | Noon – 1 p.m.
  • WebEx details for virtual sessions are available at benefits.gwu.edu/events.

Comparing GW Medical Plans

Employee Benefits, Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to reflect upon your current benefit elections and make any needed changes for the upcoming year. During this period, you may add or remove eligible dependents, and change your benefit elections, with most changes going into effect on January 1, 2020.

With this year’s Open Enrollment period fast approaching, you may be reevaluating your current medical plan. Keep reading to learn more about GW’s medical plans and identify what questions to ask when deciding which plan to choose.

Medical Plan Options:

GW offers two medical plan options: GW Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and GW Health Savings Plan (HSP). Both plans share the UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Choice Plus network, featuring more than 930,000 professionals*, 195,000 counselors and mental health practitioners**, and 5,600+ hospitals.

Both the GW PPO and the GW HSP allow you to visit your doctor of choice, with no requirements for selecting a Primary Care Physician to coordinate your care and no need to obtain referrals for specialty care. Both plans cover in- and out-of-network services (you pay less out-of-pocket for services received in-network), and include 100 percent coverage for in-network preventive care. Take a closer look at the coverage for some of the most common services provided under the GW PPO and GW HSP with this medical comparison chart (PDF).

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when examining the two medical plans. Carefully review the Summaries of Benefits and Coverage (SBCs) and Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) for both plans to understand what’s covered (and what’s not) under both plans. Moreover, while premiums may be lower for the GW HSP, your annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum will be higher:

2019 Deductibles (In-Network)

  • GW HSP: $2,000 (individual) and $4,000 (family)
  • GW PPO: $750 (individual) and $1,500 (family)

2019 Out-of-Pocket Maximums (In-Network)

  • GW HSP: $4,000 (individual) and $7,900 (family)
  • GW PPO: $3,000 (individual) and $6,000 (family)

Making Decisions

There are several factors that you may be thinking about when it comes to your medical plan. For example, would you prefer to pay less per paycheck but pay more out-of-pocket at the time of a medical service (your deductible for medical and prescription under the HSP), or pay more per paycheck and less out-of-pocket at point of service (under the PPO)? Remember, under both plans, you’ll pay less if you use providers that belong to the plan’s network.  Tip: Check out this health costs worksheet (PDF) to compare your coverage options and estimate your potential costs.

In addition, depending on which plan you choose, you may be eligible to elect a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Savings Account (HSA) to help offset the cost of qualified expenses.

FSAs and HSAs

The Health Care FSA and HSA allow you to set aside money from your paychecks on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses. You are only eligible to participate in the HSA if you are covered under a high deductible health plan, such as the GW HSP. In contrast, you do not need to be covered under a GW health plan in order to elect the Health Care FSA.

Other major differences between the Health Care FSA and the HSA include the following:

  • GW makes a matching contribution to your HSA (but not to your Health Care FSA). If you have individual HSP coverage, GW will match your HSA contribution on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $600; if you have family HSP coverage, GW will match your HSA contribution on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $1,200.
  • FSAs are “use to or lose it,” meaning that you forfeit any unused balance at the end of the plan year, and you must re-enroll in the FSA each year. In contrast, HSA contributions will accumulate as they roll over from year to year and an HSA is employee-owned, meaning it stays with you even if you change medical plans, jobs or move to another state.
  • HSA contribution amounts can be changed at any point throughout the year, while FSA contribution amounts can only be changed during Open Enrollment or if you experience a Qualified Life Event (QLE).

As you begin to prepare for Open Enrollment 2020 and start thinking about which medical plan may be right for you for, take into consideration whether the Healthcare FSA or the HSA would be a good fit for you and your family.

 

*As of September 30, 2018

**Optum national behavioral provider network count as of July 2018

Time Off Delegation in Kronos

Time Off

Delegation within the time-off module in Kronos has recently been enhanced to increase the flexibility of who a manager can assign as a delegate. Managers who wish to officially delegate their time off authority in Kronos, whether short or long term, can select either another manager or a timekeeper as their delegate. As a reminder, timekeepers may assign delegation to another timekeeper.

When delegation is initiated, the delegate has the ability to see and edit the tasks of the manager or timekeeper (i.e. approve annual time, manage timecards). It is possible for an individual to accept more than one delegation. More information about initiating and accepting delegation can be found in the following document, also available on the Benefits Time Off Learning page.

September Learning Opportunities
Throughout September there will be learning opportunities, including webinars for managers and employees. Benefits will also continue to host weekly virtual office hours where employees can ask questions in an open forum to time off questions such as, “How do I cancel a request?,” “How do I submit time on behalf of a direct report?” Virtual office hours are a Q&A session only and will not include training slides or formal instruction.

Micro-video tutorials

We recently added additional micro-video tutorials for managers to our Time Off Learning page including how to review and approve/cancel time off requests, how to create a hyperfind for your direct reports and more! In addition, pre-recorded webinars for both managers and employees will be available at the beginning of September. These webinars will cover topics such as approving your direct reports’ time-off requests, canceling a request when plans change, and viewing accrual balances.

New to GW?

Please check out the resources available on our Time Off Learning page as well as the on-demand webinars, available in early September, to get acquainted with our new centralized time off tracking system. And mark your calendar to join one of our virtual office hours sessions to ask any questions you may have.

Support
The Benefits team is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 – 5:00 pm ET to help answer questions related to time off and leave. You can also email us at timeoff@gwu.edu with questions and feedback.

Let’s Talk: Managing Difficult Interactions

Employee Benefits

Whether it’s your neighbor, coworker, your adult child, your parent, or spouse, we’ve all had our own experiences with difficult personality types. While we may not be able to pinpoint why this person acts the way they do, we can identify ways to manage these interactions in the moment. This short video1 from Resources for Living can help you prepare for these situations and empower you to feel more equipped.

Log in to the Resources for Living website for other workplace videos such as Managing Change and Helping Your Co-workers. Visit the Manager Resources page to review articles on creating team goals, building a team and leading with inspiration.

Username: GW-Wellbeing

Password: Yourlife.

1 Let’s Talk Difficult Personalities; Aetna: Resources for Living, 2019. You can also read a Transcript of video.

Let D.C. Inspire Your Lunch

Healthy Eating

Did you know that DC is home to some of the most successful fast-casual restaurants in the nation? Next time you’re searching for homemade lunch ideas, be inspired by the streets of DC and try these good for you and your wallet lunches:

  • When you crave Sweetgreens Guacamole Green, try this Cobb salad recipe.
  • Create your favorite Cava falafel salad with this recipe that includes an easy lemon dressing
  • Be(et) inspired by Beaksteak and make a heart-health beet and avocado salad
  • Bowls aren’t just for breakfast. Try this oatmeal bowl for the most important meal of the day.
Employee Benefits

Join Benefits August 1 at the VSTC campus for a day of tailored workshop provided by Aetna, Fidelity, TIAA, and Via Benefits.  Guest speakers will provide insights into building financial wellness and preparing for retirement. Topics include:

  • Retiring from GW
  • Taking the First Step with Investing
  • The Ins and Outs of Social Security
  • The Cost of Raising Kids
  • And more!

If you can’t join our fair, there are monthly educational programs to support you from our partners TIAA and Fidelity.  Visit Fidelity and TIAA websites for overviews of upcoming webinars and for registration information. A few upcoming webinars include:

If you’re nearing retirement:

  • Getting More out of Social Security(Fidelity)
    How customers can get more out of their Social Security benefit – and how this important source of income can fit into their larger retirement plans. Content includes the latest facts & figures about the state of Social Security, as well as answers to viewer questions regarding Social Security claiming strategies.  Available on-demand.
  • Creating Your Retirement Income Plan(Fidelity)
    • Dates: Wednesday, August 21, 2019, 1 p.m. ET and Thursday, August 22, 2019, 2 p.m. ET
    • Option for on-demand replay
    • This focuses on making the move from saving for retirement to spending in retirement requires planning, and this webcast can help by providing important information on that process. Fidelity will explore the five key risks to building a retirement income plan – and what people can do to avoid those risks.
  • Halfway There: A Retirement Checkpoint (TIAA)
    • August 13, 2019 3 – 4 p.m.
    • Our workshop leader will provide information to help you assess where you are on the path to reaching your financial goals and how to help get back on track if you’re behind. Discover:
      • The amount of savings you may need to reach your retirement income goals
      • Different investment options and how they can work together to help you pursue retirement goals
      • What is competing for retirement savings today—and how to reallocate to pursue the life you envision tomorrow

For any stage of your financial journey:

  • Strategies for Staying on Track (TIAA) – August 15, 3 – 4 p.m.
    • No matter what path you take in your career, all roads ultimately lead to retirement. The big questions are how much money will you need and how will you replace your salary when you get there? No matter how much or how little money you can save, it’s important that you start now and stay invested for your future. Learn smart financial steps today, including:
      • Savings strategy options
      • Managing your retirement portfolio
      • Understanding the best time to retire

New HSA Online Calculator from Payflex

Employee Benefits

If you are enrolled in a GW HSP medical plan and have a Health Savings Account (HSA), there’s a new tool to help you visualize the “savings power” of your HSA with PayFlex.  The new online HSA Calculator from Payflex makes it easier to see how contributing to your HSA and investing your HSA funds can make an impact on your future.

The calculator is divided into three parts:

  1. Contribute – Calculate tax savings
  • Helps you determine potential tax savings for the year
  • Provides a better understanding of the value of contributing to your HSA
  1. Save – Determine savings goal
    • Find out how much you could save in taxes by the time you retire
  • See what’s possible by growing your HSA balance for retirement
  1. Invest – Maximize savings potential
    • Gives you a preview of how investing could boost your savings
  • Helps determine the potential balance you could have at retirement — if you choose to invest

To access the calculator:

  • Log in to payflex.com
  • Within the HSA section of your dashboard, click Calculate my HSA savings under Account Actions.
  • Get started by calculating your annual tax savings.

Questions?

Log into your PayFlex member website. Click Help & Support to email or chat with us. Or call us at 844.729.3539 (TTY: 711). We’re here to help Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. CT, and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. CT.

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