COBRA Participants Open Enrollment Benefits Overview
2025 Open Enrollment Period: October 7 - 25, 2024
Dear George Washington University Community,
Our records indicate that you are newly eligible or are currently enrolled in the COBRA benefit continuation program through bswift. As a COBRA-eligible participant, you have the opportunity to elect or change your benefits coverage, including adding or removing dependents during the annual Open Enrollment for the upcoming year. The Open Enrollment period will begin on Monday, October 7, 2024, and end at 8 p.m. (ET) on Friday, October 25, 2024 with any changes effective January 1, 2025.
Any changes requested to your health and welfare plans after the Open Enrollment period will require a Qualified Life Event (QLE), such as a change in marital status, spouse’s work status or coverage, etc.
Benefits Overview
It is important to prioritize your health and well-being goals. Open Enrollment 2025 provides the opportunity for you to reevaluate your current benefits and make choices for the year ahead that will allow you to maximize your health and well-being.
Please take a moment to review this summary of what’s changing and what’s staying the same for the upcoming year.
NEW! Medical Plan Enhancement: Fertility, Family Building, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Benefits through Progyny
Beginning January 1, 2025, GW will partner with Progyny to provide pregnancy and fertility support (as applicable) to medical plan participants.
- New for 2025, under the GW PPO, we will offer enhanced fertility and family-building benefits through Progyny, a leading fertility and family-building benefits solution. The Progyny benefit includes comprehensive fertility treatment coverage leveraging the latest technologies, convenient access to a network of top fertility specialists, and an integrated pharmacy solution for fertility medications. You also have access to unlimited personalized guidance from a dedicated Patient Care Advocate (PCA) through each phase of your family-building journey, including preconception and trying to conceive support, and adoption and surrogacy counseling. For more information, review the benefit overview and welcome video. Beginning October 7th, call 833-233-0557 to speak with a PCA to discuss how Progyny can help support you.
- Beginning on January 1, 2025, participants under the GW PPO and GW HSP will have access to a new Pregnancy and Postpartum program through Progyny. Progyny provides ongoing support, guidance, and education for expecting parents and those newly postpartum. You’ll have personalized, high-touch support from dedicated Pregnancy and Postpartum Coaches (PPCs) who are labor and delivery nurses, the ability to schedule virtual visits with lactation consultants and baby feeding experts to get a personalized feeding plan, and 24/7 access to an exclusive app. These consultations and educational resources are designed to empower you at each milestone and support your overall well-being. For more information, review the benefit overview and FAQs. Beginning October 7th, call 833-233-0557 to speak to a PPC.
For more information, please join us for an information webinar with Progyny on Monday, October 7th, 10-11:00 a.m. ET. Visit our Open Enrollment Events calendar to register.
2025 Vision Contribution Overview
Vision coverage contributions will increase by $0.08 and $0.22 per month for the Basic plan depending on your coverage level. Under the Basic plan, the contact allowance will increase from $105 to $130. Contributions for the Enhanced plan will increase between $0.43 and $1.25, depending on your coverage level. Under the enhanced plan, the frame allowance will increase from $130 to $150. The Basic and Enhanced vision plans will continue to be offered through UnitedHealthcare.
DID YOU KNOW?
Your UHC Vision plan includes express vision exams (some state restrictions apply), a broad pediatric vision benefit, expanded benefits for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and a hearing discount.
2025 Dental Contribution Overview
Dental contributions to the DMO plan will not increase for 2025. We are seeing a high trend on the PPO dental plans resulting in employee monthly contribution increases across the Low PPO and High PPO dental plan options ranging from about $5 to $12 per month, depending on your plan and coverage. The DMO, High PPO, and Low PPO plans continue to be offered through Aetna and there will be no coverage or plan design changes for 2025.
What's Staying the Same for 2025
The following programs and benefits will continue to be available in 2025.
Medical Plan Features / Programs
- Centers for Excellence
- Freestanding Imaging and Labs Preferred Network
- Virtual Visits
- GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) Benefit Coverage Tier on the LTD PPO medical plan
Pharmacy Benefit Features
- PrudentRx Pharmacy Benefit
- Mandatory Maintenance Choice - All Access with Opt-Out
- Diabetes Management Program
Tools, Information, and Services Available to You
The annual Open Enrollment period is a time of opportunity. As you review the 2025 benefit programs and changes, you are welcome to include your family in the planning process, if applicable.
Visit the 2025 Open Enrollment website at go.gwu.edu/2025oe to access the COBRA Open Enrollment Guide, contribution rates, calendar of events, and more.
Flu and COVID Vaccines
COBRA participants covered by a GW medical plan can visit area pharmacies and convenience care clinics to receive a flu shot and COVID shot at no cost. If visiting one of these, please present your CVS Caremark ID card.
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.
Please note: If you require a high-dose flu shot, generally recommended for those over age 65, please consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacy in advance regarding availability.
Call Center Hours
We understand the need for timely and accurate responses to your benefit questions and concerns during this period. The GW Benefits Call Center is available 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET Monday - Friday. Call (866) 365-2413 for assistance with any benefits questions or enrollment assistance. The GW Benefits Team is also available to provide support.
Please contact the Benefits Call Center at
866-365–2413 with any questions
you have in advance of the Open Enrollment period.