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2023 Open Enrollment

The 2023 Open Enrollment period is now closed. This annual opportunity provides you the chance 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, 2023. Changes requested outside of Open Enrollment must be accompanied by a  Qualified Life Event (QLE).

Review the 2023 Benefits Overview (PDF)

*On the Go? Download the mobile app, enter our company code GWbenefitscenter, along with your GWID and password (date of birth in MMDDYYYY format) and take your GW benefits with you wherever you go.

Open Enrollment Events

This year’s Open Enrollment period will offer both in-person and virtual opportunities for support.

We invite you to join us for the return of our traditional in-person Open Enrollment fairs where you have the opportunity to speak directly with GW benefit plan providers and receive assistance with the enrollment process. We will also be offering webinars led by our benefits’ vendor partners to provide details about the 2023 benefit programs as well as tools and resources available. Benefits’ vendor partners will also hold 1:1 appointments throughout Open Enrollment, providing opportunities to get personalized support.

Please join us and be on the lookout for chances to win exciting prizes and gift cards throughout Open Enrollment.

Let's Get Started

Take time to review the resources below, including the Benefits Overview which outlines what's changing and what's staying the same for 2023.

The 2023 Open Enrollment Guide is an in-depth look at your benefit choices including medical plan comparisons and contributions.

We encourage you to sign up for a vendor webinar and make a 1:1 appointment with a GW Benefits vendor partner to help make the best choices for you and your family. 

What Happens If I Don't Take Action?

If you choose not to take action, your existing coverage options will roll over into the next year with the exception of the Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) and Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) options, which require you to actively re-enroll each year. 

As in previous years, our Benefits Call Center and our team is here to help you along the way.

COVID-19 Booster and Flu Shots

The CDC advisory committee recommends updated COVID-19 boosters. Employees covered by a GW medical plan can receive the applicable booster at no cost.

In addition, the CDC highly recommends that all individuals age 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine each year.

  • In partnership with GW MFA Occupational Health, we will offer free flu clinics at the Foggy Bottom campus in September and October. Details are available on the Occupational Health website.
  • Employees covered by a GW medical plan can visit area pharmacies and convenience care clinics to receive a flu shot at no cost. GW medical plan participants will need to show their CVS Caremark ID card at the time of your flu shot. 
  • If you are not covered on a GW medical plan, please verify costs with your health insurance company. Most plans will cover the full cost of seasonal flu shots.

Open Enrollment Resources

Open Enrollment Guide (Faculty & Staff) & OE Resources

The Benefits Overview provides a summary of the changes and enhancements this Open Enrollment season.

The annual Open Enrollment Guide, provides information on the 2023 benefit offerings, rates, resources, and other decision tools to help guide your enrollment process.

Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment

Details are now posted on the ACA webpage.

Summaries of Benefits and Coverage for the HSP and PPO Plans

​2023 Summaries of Benefits and Coverage (SBCs):

Adding Dependents

If adding a new dependent to coverage during Annual Open Enrollment, supporting documentation (e.g. copies of birth or marriage certificates) must be received by Benefits by Friday, November 4, 2022. You can submit documentation two ways:

  • You have the ability to upload documents in your Employee Profile on the confirmation page (at the top of the screen, click My Profile, then click Employee File) after making your benefit elections in the benefits enrollment system; or,
  • You may submit your supporting documentation via email at [email protected] or fax at (571) 553-8385. If emailing, please be sure to send via secure email.

The Benefits Overview provides a summary of the changes and enhancements this Open Enrollment season.

The annual Open Enrollment Guide, provides information on the 2023 benefit offerings, rates, resources, and other decision tools to help guide your enrollment process. 

If adding a new dependent to coverage during Annual Open Enrollment, supporting documentation (e.g. copies of birth or marriage certificates) must be received by Benefits by Friday, November 4, 2022. You can submit documentation two ways:

  • You have the ability to upload documents in your Employee Profile on the confirmation page (at the top of the screen, click My Profile, then click Employee File) after making your benefit elections in the benefits enrollment system; or,
  • You may submit your supporting documentation via email at [email protected] or fax at (571) 553-8385. If emailing, please be sure to send via secure email.

Non-Active Groups

Retirees

The 2023 Open Enrollment period for GW retirees continuing benefits through bswift begins on October 10, 2022 and closes at 8 p.m. (ET) on October 28, 2022 and is only for retirees or dependents continuing benefits through bswift. 

The following resources will help guide you through your choices:

Resources for Retirees:

Retirees: Making Benefit Elections or Changes

If you are enrolled in benefits through bswift, beginning October 10, 2022, you may log in to the GW Benefits Enrollment System at go.gwu.edu/directbill to review, change or select your benefits options. You may log in to the enrollment system and make changes as often as you would like during the three-week Open Enrollment period.

The deadline to make changes is 8 p.m. (ET) on October 28, 2022. New plan elections and/or coverage level changes will become effective January 1, 2023.

*Please remember that changes requested outside of Open Enrollment must be accompanied by a Qualified Life Event (QLE).

Please note: GW retiree medical coverage cannot be added. Once medical coverage is dropped, it cannot be reinstated.

Reminders for Retirees:

If you do not need to make any changes to your benefits for 2023, you do not need to take any action. Your existing coverage options will roll over into the next year, and your premiums will automatically adjust.

If adding a new dependent to coverage during Annual Open Enrollment, supporting documentation (e.g. copies of birth or marriage certificates) must be received by Benefits by Friday, November 4, 2022. You can submit documentation two ways:

  • You have the ability to upload documents in your Employee Profile on the confirmation page (at the top of the screen, click My Profile, then click Employee File) after making your benefit elections in the benefits enrollment system; or,
  • You may submit your supporting documentation via email at [email protected] or fax at (571) 553-8385. If emailing, please be sure to send via secure email.

Special Note: Open Enrollment for retirees and dependents age 65 and older, participating in medical, pharmacy, vision or dental plans through Via Benefits, will be held October 15 through December 7, 2022.  Please review the Via Benefits Open Enrollment newsletter for a summary of the Open Enrollment process for post-65 retirees continuing coverage through Via Benefits. For more information, please contact Via Benefits at (855) 232-5748 or visit the Via Benefits website.

LTD Recipients

The 2023 Open Enrollment period for LTD recipients continuing benefits through bswift begins on October 10, 2022, and closes at 8 p.m. (ET) on October 28, 2022.

Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review, enroll in or make changes to your health and welfare benefits and to add or drop coverage for eligible dependents. Most benefit elections or changes* made during Open Enrollment are effective January 1, 2023.

The Open Enrollment period that runs October 10-28, 2022, is only for LTD recipients or dependents continuing benefits through bswift. Open Enrollment for LTD recipients and dependents age 65 and older, participating in medical, pharmacy, vision or dental plans through Via Benefits, will be held October 15 through December 7, 2022. 

Please review the Via Benefits Open Enrollment newsletter for a summary of the Open Enrollment process for post-65 LTD recipients and dependents continuing coverage through Via Benefits. For more information, please contact Via Benefits at (855) 232-5748 or visit the Via Benefits website.

Resources for LTD Recipients:

LTD Recipients: Making Benefit Elections or Changes

If you are enrolled in benefits through bswift, beginning October 10, 2022, you may log in to the GW Benefits Enrollment System at go.gwu.edu/directbill to review, change* or select your benefits options. You may log in to the enrollment system and make changes as often as you would like during the three-week Open Enrollment period.

The deadline to make changes is 8 p.m. (ET) on October 28, 2022. New plan elections and/or coverage level changes will become effective January 1, 2023.

*Please remember that changes requested outside of Open Enrollment must be accompanied by a Qualified Life Event (QLE).

Reminders for LTD Recipients:

If you do not need to make any changes to your benefits for 2023, you do not need to take any action. Your existing coverage options will roll over into the next year, and your premiums will automatically adjust.

If adding a new dependent to coverage during Annual Open Enrollment, supporting documentation (e.g. copies of birth or marriage certificates) must be received by Benefits by Friday, November 4, 2022. You can submit documentation two ways:

  • You have the ability to securely upload documents in your Employee Profile on the confirmation page (at the top of the screen, click My Profile, then click Employee File) after making your benefit elections in the benefits enrollment system; or,
  • You may submit your supporting documentation via email at [email protected] or fax at (571) 553-8385. If emailing, please be sure to send via secure email.
COBRA Participants

The 2023 Open Enrollment period for COBRA participants continuing benefits through bswift begins on October 10, 2022 and closes at 8 p.m. (ET) on October 28, 2022.

Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review, enroll in or make changes to your health and welfare benefits and to add or drop coverage for eligible dependents. Most benefit elections or changes* made during Open Enrollment are effective January 1, 2023.

Resources for COBRA Participants:

COBRA Participants: Making Benefit Elections or Changes

If you are enrolled in benefits through bswift, beginning October 10, 2022, you may log in to the GW Benefits Enrollment System at go.gwu.edu/COBRA to review, change* or select your benefits options. You may log in to the enrollment system and make changes as often as you would like during the three-week Open Enrollment period.

The deadline to make changes is 8 p.m. (ET) on October 28, 2022. New plan elections and/or coverage level changes will become effective January 1, 2023.

*Please remember that changes requested outside of Open Enrollment must be accompanied by a Qualified Life Event (QLE).

Reminders for COBRA Participants

If you do not need to make any changes to your benefits for 2023, you do not need to take any action. Your existing coverage options will roll over into the next year, and your premiums will automatically adjust.

If adding a new dependent to coverage during Annual Open Enrollment, supporting documentation (e.g. copies of birth or marriage certificates) must be received by Benefits by Friday, November 4, 2022. You can submit documentation two ways:

  • You have the ability to securely upload documents in your Employee Profile on the confirmation page (at the top of the screen, click My Profile, then click Employee File) after making your benefit elections in the benefits enrollment system; or,
  • You may submit your supporting documentation via email at [email protected] or fax at (571) 553-8385. If emailing, please be sure to send via secure email.