Benefits Open Enrollment is Under Way
A benefit expo is scheduled for Saturday at the Tucson Convention Center.

By Shelley Shelton, University Communications
Nov. 2, 2011


Before all the festivities of Homecoming game day, you might want to go to the health benefit expo at the Tucson Convention Center to learn about benefit options and get a free health screening and free flu shot.

Open enrollment for 2012 benefits began Monday and continues until 5 p.m. Nov. 18.

The Arizona Department of Administration is hosting a series of benefit expos around the state, and it so happens that the one in Tucson is the same day as the Homecoming game.

It's from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the TCC, and there you can not only learn about benefits but also get a health screening and flu shot for free.

"They really want people to come to the fairs," said Joan Feldman, director of benefits and technology solutions for Human Resources.

But you don't have to attend the expo to make your benefits selection for the coming year.

In fact, you don't have to do anything at all if you don't plan to change any of your coverage, Feldman said. It will automatically repeat whatever you had this year.

And there is no increase in premiums for 2012.

"There's been no increases in rates, so everything's the same," Feldman said.

The only thing you must actively sign up for, regardless of whether you plan to make any other changes to your health coverage, is the flexible spending account, she said.

A flexible spending account allows employees to have money withheld, pre-tax, from their paychecks to be spent throughout the year on approved expenses. There are two kinds of flexible spending accounts – one for child care expenses and the other for medical expenses.

To participate, employees must designate each year how much money they want withheld. Money does not carry over from one year to the next, so it's important to make the designation each year.

"This is their opportunity to do that," Feldman said.

Use UAccess to make changes to your benefits coverage or to sign up for a flexible spending account.

If you want to attend a benefit expo but can't attend on Saturday, there's another scheduled in Flagstaff next week. Otherwise, a full benefits guide is available online. Guides will not be mailed out this year.

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