Retirees Open Enrollment Benefits Overview
2025 Open Enrollment Period: October 7 - 25, 2024
Dear George Washington University Community,
Welcome to the 2025 Benefits Open Enrollment season!
Open Enrollment begins on Monday, October 7, 2024, and ends at 8 p.m. (ET) on Friday, October 25, 2024.
The Open Enrollment period is your annual opportunity to review the benefits offered by the university and to change your benefit selections for the upcoming year. You can add or remove benefits, dependents, and more. 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.
Important: The Open Enrollment period that runs October 7 - 25, 2024, is only for those retirees or dependents who are continuing enrollment in medical, dental, and/or vision benefits via bswift. For those post-age 65 who are enrolled in Medicare plans through Via Benefits, please see the special note for "Post-Age 65 Retiree: Medicare Exchange" in the Enrollment System section.
Be well,
GW Benefits
Benefits Overview
It is important to prioritize your health and well-being goals. Open Enrollment 2025 provides the opportunity for you to re-evaluate your current benefits and make intentional 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 new, what’s changing, and what’s staying the same for the upcoming year.
NEW! Medical Plan Enhancement: Pregnancy and Postpartum Benefits through Progyny
Beginning January 1, 2025, GW will partner with Progyny to provide ongoing support, guidance, and education for expecting parents and those newly postpartum. For more information on the Pregnancy and Postpartum program included in the Retiree Health Savings Plan (HSP), review the benefit overview and FAQs.
Beginning October 7th, call 833.233.0557 to speak with a Pregnancy and Postpartum Coach.
2025 Medical Contribution Overview
Pre-Age 65 Retiree: GW Retiree HSP
GW will continue to offer the GW Retiree Health Savings Plan (Retiree HSP) for retirees and their dependents under age 65.
Plan participants will see a 10% increase in medical premiums for 2025. There are no changes to coverage and UnitedHealthcare will continue to be the medical benefits administrator for the plan.
Our Shared Responsibility
As we expect continued upward pressure on the cost of our medical plans, it's important to remember we all play a part in helping control costs.
Our medical plans are self-insured which means the university pays the claims. UHC processes the claims from health providers for plan participants.
Our premiums for the medical plans are based on our claims experience. High volume and / or high-cost claims in a year directly impact the premiums we pay as participants in the following year.
But you can help. When you get regular wellness visits, timely screenings, use in-network providers, and thoughtfully consider care, you generally incur less in claim costs, which directly impacts next year’s premiums.
2025 Dental Contribution Overview
Dental contributions to the DMO plan will not increase for 2025. We are seeing 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.
Note:
Retirees enrolled at Via Benefits who opted to continue dental and / or vision coverage through bswift, please see "How to Enroll" section for more Open Enrollment details.
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.
What's Staying the Same for 2025
The following programs and benefits will continue to be available in 2025.
Health & Well-Being Benefits
- Group Home and Auto Insurance
- Health Advocate
- Basic Life Insurance
- Pet Insurance
- Identity Theft
- Tuition
Medical Plan Features / Programs
- Freestanding Imaging and Labs Preferred Network
- Virtual Visits
- Real Appeal
- Pre-Age 65 Retiree: GW Retiree HSP
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 Open Enrollment Retiree Guide, retiree contribution rates, calendar of events, and more.
Post-Age 65 Retiree: Medicare Exchange
The Open Enrollment period for GW retirees and dependents age 65 and older, who participate in Medicare plans through Via Benefits, is October 15 – December 7, 2024. For more information, please contact Via Benefits at 855-232-5748 or you can review and enroll in Medicare plans online at my.viabenefits.com/gw.
In-Person Open Enrollment Fests
Meet GW's Unitedhealthcare and Aetna vendor partners, ask questions, and receive enrollment assistance during the annual Open Enrollment Fests. Check out our events page at go.gwu.edu/2025oeevents for details.
Foggy Bottom (University Student Center, Grand Ballroom)
- Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET
Virginia Science and Technology Campus (Enterprise Hall, Room 102)
- Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET
Virtual 1:1 Appointments
Have questions? Register for a 10-minute appointment with UHC. Appointments are one-on-one and offer you a chance to ask questions specific to your situation. Register at go.gwu.edu/2025oeevents.
Flu and COVID Vaccines
In partnership with the Medical Faculty Associates (MFA), flu and COVID vaccine clinics will be held at the Foggy Bottom Campus and Virginia Science and Technology Campus (VSTC) during October including on the open enrollment fest dates. Those who wish to receive their vaccine(s) at one of the clinics are strongly encouraged to register in advance. Insurance Information will be collected during the registration process. Retirees enrolled on the GW Retiree HSP, please have your UHC ID card available when registering. For more details, visit 2024 GW Flu and COVID Vaccines Services.
Retirees covered by the GW Retiree HSP can also 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 for enrollment assistance. The GW Benefits Team is also available to provide support.
How to Enroll
Beginning October 7, 2024, you may log in to the GW benefits enrollment system at go.gwu.edu/directbill to review, change, or select your benefits options. You are allowed to 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 25, 2024. Please remember that most changes made during the Open Enrollment period become effective January 1, 2025.
Special Note: Post-Age 65 Retiree: Medicare Exchange
The Open Enrollment period for GW retirees and dependents age 65 and older, who participate in Medicare plans through Via Benefits, is October 15 – December 7, 2024. For more information, please contact Via Benefits at (855) 232-5748 or you can review and enroll in Medicare plans online at my.viabenefits.com/gw.
Reminder
If you do not wish to make any changes, no action is needed. All of your eligible 2024 benefit elections (medical, dental, and vision) will roll over to 2025. However, we recommend that you review your current elections to ensure that they still provide the coverage you need.
For additional information on all of GW’s benefit offerings, please visit Retiree Benefits.
In the coming weeks:
- The 2025 Open Enrollment Guide will be available prior to the Open Enrollment period and linked as a quick reference in the enrollment system
- If you have any questions in advance of the 2025 Open Enrollment period, please contact the GW Benefits Call Center at (866) 365-2413 or email [email protected].
Reminder: 1095-C Tax Form Electronic Consent
Did You Know that you can receive your 1095-C form electronically? Save time, support sustainability, and keep things secure. Login to go.gwu.edu/directbill to complete your online consent form to receive your 1095-C electronically. Once available, your form will be securely posted and stored to your employee file.
What is a Form 1095-C?
Eligible plan participants will receive a Form 1095-C tax document annually, which reports information about your medical coverage.
While you will not need to include your 1095-C with your tax return filing or send it to the IRS, you may need information from your 1095-C to help complete your tax return. Think of it as your "proof of medical insurance" for the IRS.
Please contact the Benefits Call Center at
866-365–2413 with any questions
you have in advance of the Open Enrollment period.