Annual Benefits Enrollment
Each year, Emory University offers you the opportunity to review your benefit elections during the annual enrollment period and make changes for the upcoming plan year. This year’s annual benefits enrollment period will be held October 28 through November 11, 2024. Changes made to your coverage will become effective January 1, 2025.
What's New for 2025?
New Structure for Medical Plan Rates
Emory is introducing a new approach for medical plan rates, where the amount you pay will be higher or lower depending on how much you are paid. The reason we are doing this is because the cost of the medical plan is more of an employee’s income if they are lower paid, and we want to ensure all our employees have access to affordable health care. In fact, Emory is making a financial investment to subsidize the additional cost of the medical premiums for lower paid employees.
We will now have three salary-based rate bands to determine employee contributions:
| SALARY-BASED RATE BAND 1 | < $28.84 hourly/$60,000 annually* |
| SALARY-BASED RATE BAND 2 | $28.84 to $48.07 hourly/$60,000 to $100,000 annually* |
| SALARY-BASED RATE BAND 3 | > $48.07 hourly/$100,000 annually* |
* annual salary based on someone who works 40 hours per week | |
The bands will be determined by your salary as of October 1, 2024 and medical rates will not change at any time in 2025 even if you exceed the pay limit for your band due to a pay increase, promotion, etc.
On average, employees in Band 1 will see a reduction in their medical rates in 2025, and employees in Band 2 will see no increase in their rates. Employees in Band 3 will see an increase in their rates which are consistent with the overall increase in Emory’s health care costs, approximately 17% for this year, due to increases in utilization and cost. View rates.
Other Changes
Dental Plan Rates
Dental plan rates will increase. This is the first increase to dental plan rates in many years. If you are on an Emory dental plan, you will be impacted by the rate increase. View rates.
Vision Plan Enhancements
There are no increases in rates for the vision plan (rates remain the same as last year). The vision plan will offer some enhancements, including retinal imaging, tint, and UV at a $0 copay. If you elect vision coverage, you can receive enhanced services from the plan. View rates.
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
The Healthcare FSA limit will increase to $3,200 (up from $3,050). Remember, you must re-enroll in an FSA each year, and decide how much to set aside. It does not roll over. If you participate in a Healthcare FSA you can set aside more pre-tax funds for eligible expenses in 2025.
Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Highly compensated employees under the IRS definition (Emory earnings of more than $155,000 for 2024), will be restricted to an annual contribution of no more than $1,800 (down from $2,400). This is due to IRS non-discrimination testing. If you make more than $155,000 annually and contribute to a Dependent Day Care FSA, the maximum pre-tax funds you can set aside will be $1,800.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
The maximum you can contribute to a Health Savings Account is increasing to $4,300 (up from $4,150) for single coverage, and $8,550 (up from $8,300) for family coverage. If you participate in a Health Savings Account, you have the option to save more towards the account.
Short Term Disability
The short term disability plan is being improved to provide a benefit equal to 70% of base salary (up from 60%) for a period of up to 180 days. Date of disability has to be 1/1/2025 or later to qualify. If you have short term disability coverage and submit a claim after 1/1/2025, you will be impacted by this improvement, which will provide a greater amount.
Long Term Disability
The long term disability plan is being improved to provide a benefit equal to 66.67% (up from 60%). Retirement income replacement will be discontinued with this new plan, but this approach is financially more advantageous. Date of disability has to be 1/1/2025 or later to qualify. If you need to use long-term disability coverage after 1/1/2025, you will be impacted by this improvement, which will provide a greater amount.
Well-being and Medical Plan Incentives
You and a covered spouse can offset your medical expenses by participating in a new menu of well-being activities such as challenges, a financial wellness checkup, the Winship 5K, and more. View incentives.
Alex Tool to Help with Benefits Decisions
Using the ALEX® tool can help you better understand your benefits options so you can make smart, cost-effective choices. The tool offers some expanded features this year. Learn more about ALEX.
Medical Coverage
Emory offers comprehensive medical coverage to help protect you and your family from catastrophic medical costs. You can choose from three different plans:
- Aetna HSA Plan
- Aetna POS Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Plan (learn more about the Kaiser Plan)
For detailed information about each of these plans, review the 2025 Benefits Guide or use the following tools to help you decide which plan is right for you:
Medical Plan Rates
View monthly/biweekly employee contribution amounts for 2025.
Medical Plan Comparison Chart
Compare deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, copays, coinsurance and other medical expenses for all three medical plans.
ALEX
Use ALEX, our new online benefits counselor, to help lead you to the plans that work best for you.
Dental and Vision Coverage
Dental Coverage
You can choose between two different types of dental plans:
- Aetna Traditional Dental (PPO)
- Aetna Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO).
You can learn more about these plans in the 2025 Benefits Guide.
Vision Coverage
Emory offers an optional vision plan through EyeMed Vision Care. Refer to the 2025 Benefits Guide for more details.
Other Coverage
During annual enrollment, you can also add or make changes to many other types of coverage such as life insurance, short or long term disability, and much more. For information, review the 2025 Benefits Guide.
How to Enroll
Step 1: Learn More
Learn more about the benefits that are available to you by reviewing the 2025 Benefits Guide.
Attend a Session or Watch a Video
You may wish to attend a benefits session. Our benefits team will hold all of this year’s annual enrollment presentations virtually, as Zoom webinars. Pre-registration is required. Dates and times are:
Thursday, October 24 at 1:00 p.m.; Register here.
Wednesday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m. Register here.
Thursday, November 7 at 2:00 p.m.; Register here.
If are unable to attend a session, you can watch this pre-recorded video.
Step 2: Enroll Online
During the annual enrollment period, October 28 - November 11, 2024, go to Self-Service to complete your enrollment online.
You will need your network ID and password. If you don’t know your password, call the Office of Information Technology at 404-727-7777 for assistance.
Note: Duo Security Two-Factor Authentication is required to log in to Self-Service from outside the Emory network.
Step 3: Print, Review, Save
Once you have completed your enrollment online, save or print a copy of your confirmation statement, review it for accuracy, and retain it for your records.
Checklist
Make sure you've completed everything with the Annual Enrollment Checklist.
Check your Beneficiaries
Now is also a good time to check your beneficiary(ies).
Life Insurance
Emory provides you with life insurance benefits, so you need to designate a beneficiary, even if you do not sign up for supplemental life insurance benefits. While completing your enrollment in Self-Service, it only takes a few minutes to check and make sure you have the right people listed as your beneficiaries.
Retirement Account
While you’re at it, you should also take some time to check your beneficiaries on your retirement account with Fidelity and/or TIAA. Instructions can be found here (see page 8.)
Tools and Resources
Contact Information
Atlanta, GA 30322
Friday - 11:00 am - 5:00 pm