What is Open Enrollment
Open enrollment (November 1 - 15) is a once-a-year opportunity for benefits-eligible employees to enroll in or make changes to their health plan elections, now completed in Workday.
Open enrollment elections go into effect the following January 1. This is the only time each year employees can change health benefits, unless they experience a qualifying life event, such as marriage, or the birth of a child.
What can I do during Open Enrollment?
Enroll in or change your medical and/or dental coverage
Enroll in High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
Add or remove qualified dependents, including a spouse or state-registered domestic partner to/from your health plan
Waive your medical coverage if you are covered by another employer-based group medical insurance, TRICARE, or medicare
Enroll or re-enroll in optional pre-tax savings programs such as Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) or the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
Do I need to do anything if I am not making changes?
It is beneficial for all employees to log into Workday and review health plans, dependents, and beneficiaries. In addition, please confirm all personal contact information is up to date.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) do not automatically renew. You must re-enroll again for 2024.
What benefits can only be elected during open enrollment?
There are two benefits that an employee may elect during Open Enrollment:
High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
Kitsap County offers two High Deductible Health Plans paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA) under Aetna and Kaiser. The HSA is an individual health account that is owned by the employee and may be used for the payment of medical expenses that are not covered by their HDHP, including expenses that go towards satisfying the deductible. Kitsap County will contribute $1,200.00 for Employee Only or $2,400.00 for Family into the HSA.
Individuals may contribute additional funds to their HSA on a pre-tax basis, up to an annual per person or family limit set by the IRS. The 2024 Contribution Limits for Health Savings Accounts and High Deductible Health Plans are $4,150 employee only ($2,950 max for employee contribution) or $8,300 for family ($5,900 max for employee contribution). An additional $1,000 is allowed for those age 55 and older.
Curious about more information on the Health Savings Account? Read a helpful educational guide here: Employee HSA Guide
Annual Contribution for Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Each Open Enrollment, if an employee would like to participate or continue with a Flexible Spending Account, they must designate their annual contribution. There are two types of Flexible Spending Accounts: Health Care FSA and Day Care FSA. A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars from their paychecks to pay for eligible expenses. Employees determine an annual contribution which will be deducted evenly from each paycheck on a pre-tax basis and put into the FSA account. Since the FSA is pre-funded, you will have access to your full election amount and can use those pre-tax dollars in your FSA to pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses.
Further information on the Flexible Spending Accounts can be located here: Navia Benefits - Health Care FSA or Navia Benefits - Day Care FSA. The 2024 contribution limit for Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts is projected to be $3,200. Projected remaining unspent Health Care FSA funds up to $640, will carry over into 2025.
Can I enroll in a High Deductible Health Plan with Health Savings Account (HSA) and also enroll in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?
Yes, you can enroll in both the HDHP with HSA and enroll with a Health Care FSA. When dually enrolled with HSA and FSA, your FSA funds are considered a Limited Purpose Health Care FSA. The Limited Purpose Health Care FSA allows you to pay for out-of-pocket dental, vision and orthodontia expenses with tax-free dollars (medical expenses are disqualified for use under the Limited Purpose FSA, and would be used under your HSA benefit only). Think of the Limited FSA as a tool to pay for all your regular dental and vision expenses throughout the plan year. Dual enrollment can allow an individual to set aside even more pre-tax dollars for qualified out-of-pocket expenses.
More information on a Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account? Navia Benefits - Limited Purpose FSA.
How can I prepare for open enrollment?
If you are a Kitsap County benefits-eligible employee wishing to make changes to your health plans during the open enrollment period, follow these simple steps to prepare ahead of time:
- 1. Verify your address in Workday and your dependent's address (if different)
- 2. Prepare dependent verification: if you are planning to add any dependents, you are required to submit valid verification documents; for a child: birth certificate, spouse: a marriage license.
- 3. Submit any open enrollment or benefit questions to the HR Benefits team email address: kitsapbenefits@kitsap.gov DO NOT INCLUDE personal health information.
How do I select benefits/make changes during open enrollment?
Log into Workday November 1-15 to select your 2024 benefits. In your Workday inbox click on the Open Enrollment task to begin.
