The State of Idaho’s Office of Group Insurance has announced changes to benefit plans and premiums that are available to benefit-eligible employees for the upcoming fiscal year, July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 (FY2025).
What is open enrollment?
Open enrollment is an annual period of time when benefit-eligible employees can make changes to their benefit plan.
Who should participate?
The university encourages all benefit-eligible employees to review current coverage to ensure their selected benefits still meet individual and family needs.
What is changing?
For the coming fiscal year, the state’s healthcare plan is changing from Blue Cross of Idaho to Regence Blue Shield. Dental remains with Blue Cross of Idaho.
When may employees make updates or changes to their benefits?
Open enrollment for FY2025 is April 22 to May 10, 2024. It is the only opportunity, until the next open enrollment period, to make changes to a medical plan without a qualifying event.
Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs) require enrollment or re-enrollment every year during open enrollment – they do not carry over year-to-year.
ARAG Group Legal Plan
The ARAG Group Legal Plan provides will preparation, powers of attorney, juvenile court proceedings, personal property issues, real estate issues, IRS audit protection, identity theft protection, and more. Those already enrolled will automatically be re-enrolled during Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment is the only time to enroll or drop coverage for this benefit. Enrollment is done online through their website, ARAGLegalCenter.com, using access code 15481bsu.
Preferred submission methods
In-person drop offs at the Human Resources (HR) office, located in Capitol Village or at campus form collection sites are the top submission methods, or mail to HR at Mail Stop 1265. Boise State is obligated to meet deadlines set by the State of Idaho, therefore all benefit change forms must be returned to Human Resources on Friday, May 10. Drop off can be accepted until 5 p.m.
Email to benefits@boisestate.edu can be used as a last resort if employees are unable to provide documents in person or through campus mail. For security reasons, avoid including social security numbers via email. A member of the benefits team will reach out to collect confidential information via phone.
Where can employees find an overview of benefits and premium changes?
- Boise State’s open enrollment website: This site has more information, open enrollment forms and FAQs.
- The Office of Group Insurance home page: State employees can find an open enrollment to-do list and a guide titled “Important Regence Benefit Information.“
- The FY2025 Premiums webpage: This webpage provides employees with an overview of premium changes.
- Plan comparison chart: This chart is a helpful reference for comparing plans
Are there any premium increases this year?
The Traditional plan is the only plan with a premium increase this year. A Traditional plan increase email was sent to all Traditional plan participants on April 25.
How can employees learn more and get hands-on assistance?
The Boise State benefits team provides several opportunities to guide employees through the open enrollment process.
- Learning sessions will inform employees of benefit and premium updates for the FY25 open enrollment cycle. Register for open enrollment benefit changes and learning session. A prerecorded virtual benefit learning session is available for on-demand viewing.
- Open enrollment event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 in the Student Union Jordan Ballroom. The annual Benefits Fair, which is normally held in the spring, is scheduled for Fall 2024. An open Zoom meeting is a virtual event for benefit specialists to answer questions about open enrollment. No registration needed. The university has approved an hour of release time for all employees to attend the event.
- Collection stations will be hosted by the benefits team in May:
May 1: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Interactive Learning Center (east entry)
May 8: Noon – 2 p.m. in Athletics (front entrance of the Varsity Center)
May 9: 8:30 – 9 p.m. in the Micron Materials Research Science building, 2nd floor, Room 205 Lecture hall (for evening employees)
May 10: 1– 5 p.m. in Albertsons Library (front entrance)
The benefits team is available to answer questions at benefits@boisestate.edu.