Five things you need to decide before Nov. 21
2013 November 7
A brand new calendar year is just around the corner, and that means it is time to select the benefits that best suit you and your family’s needs for 2014. Here’s a list of five things you’ll need to decide before Nov. 21.
- Do I want to obtain health insurance through HISD or some other provider? With the new Affordable Care Act now in effect, most Americans will be required to have health insurance that meets certain guidelines by Jan. 1, 2014. So if you don’t sign up for a plan through HISD, you’ll need to do so either through the Marketplace or through a private insurance provider to avoid paying a penalty on your federal tax returns. Remember, if you wish to sign up for HISD coverage you must do so during the annual enrollment period (Nov. 7–21). Details on that are here.
- If I elect to go with an HISD plan, which one is right for me and my family? Only you can decide that, but you’ll find all the information you need to make that important decision on the Benefits Outlook website.
- What other health insurance do I need to consider? Prescription drug coverage comes with all HISD benefit plans, but you’ll also need to decide if you want vision and dental insurance, too. Vision coverage deals not only with eye exams, but also with the cost of contact lenses or glasses. Dental coverage addresses both preventative maintenance and major work, such as implants, crowns, and root canals. You will need to select these during the annual enrollment period.
- Are there any other benefits I need to consider? Yes. HISD also offers supplemental options for disability, life and accidental death/dismemberment, hospital stays, critical illnesses, cancer and 36 other specific diseases, long-term care, accident, and legal assistance. There are also Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts that you can enroll in. You will need to select these benefits during the annual enrollment period as well.
- Is disability insurance the same thing as the Supplemental Sick Leave Bank (SSLB)? No, so you’ll need to decide whether or not to enroll in that, too. If you haven’t already, but you’re eligible, you should receive an email regarding SSLB next week. You can also find more information here. The deadline to enroll in the SSLB is actually a day later than for other benefits: Nov. 22.
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