OPEN ENROLLMENT

(October 1 – 31, 2024)

Plan Year 2025

Open enrollment for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) is here and you will be able to make changes beginning October 1, 2024 through October 31, 2024.  Visit the 2025 Virtual Benefits Fair to see what’s new and changing for the 2025 plan year, explore benefit programs and mental health resources, compare plans, and enter to win prizes!

Live webinars will also be hosted by Aetna and Horizon.  To register for a webinar, access the calendar link here.

All health benefit changes must be submitted online via Benefitsolver through October 31, 2024. Log in to mynjbenefitshub or myNewJersey.  For help, view the Benefitsolver Enrollment Guide.

Changes made during this Open Enrollment period will be effective January 1, 2025. If you do not wish to make any changes to your health or dental benefits, there is nothing you need to do.  Please note that employees who wish to re-enroll or enroll in a flexible spending account must renew their election on an annual basis.

2025 Health Plan Summaries

Health plan comparisons for Horizon and Aetna medical plans can be viewed here: Horizon Comparison  and Aetna Comparison. Medical and prescription drug plan rates for 2025 and plan summaries will be posted to the New Jersey Division of Pension and Benefits website and can be viewed here. Coming Soon!

The available plans for CWA and Union Negotiated Members (IFPTE/AFT) and Managers for Plan Year 2025 are:

PPO Plans:

• Aetna Freedom/Freedom 2019* or Horizon NJ DIRECT/NJ DIRECT 2019*
• Aetna CWA Unity Freedom/CWA Unity Freedom 2019** or Horizon CWA Unity DIRECT/CWA Unity DIRECT 2019**
• Aetna Freedom 15 or Horizon NJ DIRECT15

HMO Plan: Aetna HMO or Horizon HMO

Tiered-Network Plan: Aetna Liberty Plus or Horizon OMNIA

High Deductible Health Plans:

• Aetna Freedom HDHigh or Horizon NJ DIRECT HDHigh
• Aetna Freedom HDLow or Horizon NJ DIRECT HDLow

*Members hired prior to July 1, 2019, will be enrolled in Aetna Freedom or Horizon NJ DIRECT. Members hired after July 1, 2019, will be enrolled in Aetna Freedom 2019 or Horizon NJ DIRECT 2019.

**For CWA members only. Members hired prior to July 1, 2019, will be enrolled in Aetna CWA Unity Freedom or Horizon CWA Unity DIRECT. Members hired after July 1, 2019, will be enrolled in Aetna CWA Unity Freedom 2019 or Horizon CWA Unity DIRECT 2019.

Tiered Plan Incentive

 The State offers a one-time incentive of $1,000 to first-time enrollees who remain enrolled for one year into the Aetna Liberty Plus and Horizon OMNIA plan.  The incentive is reportable for income tax purposes, and is paid by gift card no later than the end of the current tax year. The incentive shall be forfeited and returned to the SHBP if you fail to remain in the tiered network plan for at least one year.  For more information on this incentive: click here

 

Dental Plan Changes for 2025

Cigna, Horizon Dental Choice and MetLife DPO dental plans will no longer be participating with the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits effective December 31, 2024.  Your plan options are:

• One Dental Plan Organization (DPO) plan: Aetna DMO– Diagnostic and preventive services are covered in full with a DPO dentist. Other eligible expenses may require a small copayment.  Provider must participate with the selected DPO in order to receive coverage. Note: The rate for coverage under a DPO remains less expensive than the Dental Expense Plan.  View plan information: here

 

• Two PPO Dental Expense Plans (DEP) Available:

1. 1. 1. Aetna Dental Expense Plan –  Aetna DEP/PPO
      2. Horizon Dental Expense Plan New!-  Horizon DEP Plan

The DEP is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan where members can obtain services from any dentist; however, using an in-network provider will reduce an employee’s costs. After satisfying an annual deductible, members are reimbursed a percentage of charges for eligible services.

Members currently enrolled in the CIGNA DHMO plan, Horizon Dental Choice plan or the MetLife DPO plan will automatically be defaulted to the Aetna DMO plan in Benefitsolver. Members may change their dental plan during the annual open enrollment period and will be allowed to select a new dental plan even if they have not been enrolled in their plan for at least 12 months.

Members currently enrolled in the Aetna DMO or Aetna DEP will not be affected and will remain in their current plan.

New!  View a video of the Aetna State of NJ Dental Plans 

Dental Plan Rates for 2025 will be posted to the New Jersey Division of Pension and Benefits website: here.

 

Tax$ave Flexible Spending Account

Tax$ave Essential Guide

Tax$ave, allows employees to set aside before-tax dollars to pay for certain medical, dental, and dependent care expenses.  The FSA requires that you re-enroll each year with Horizon Myway during the open enrollment period. The 2025 maximum annual allowance for Medical FSA is $2,500 and Dependent Care FSA is $5,000.  For more information and how to enroll: Quick Reference Guide

Flexible Spending Account Webinars

Meeting topics such as how FSA works, important FSA details and enrollment.  To register for a webinar click on the available dates:

NJWELL Program

The NJWELL program provides employees enrolled in the SHBP with activities and educational resources to support a healthy lifestyle.  These include live wellness events, fitness challenges and online wellness webinars.  Participants can also earn up to $350 in rewards based on points earned from participation in NJWELL.  For more information on the program, visit NJWELL here.

Benefits Fair

 Our Benefits Fair will be held on October 23^rd from 10 am – 2 pm in the Alumni lounges.  Health and financial vendors will be on sight to share information regarding the State Health Benefit Plans (SHBP) offerings and other programs. Presentations will be offered and raffle prizes available. Hope to see you there!

 

Flu Shot Clinic for Faculty & Staff

 We will host an on-site Flu Shot Clinic in conjunction with Acme Pharmacy on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 from

10:00 am – 12:00 pm in the POER Conference room and on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Benefits Fair in the Alumni Lounges. You must register in advance at: https://www.ramapo.edu/poerd/flu-shot-clinic/

Please contact the Benefits office at ext. 7230 or 7502 with any questions regarding open enrollment or the benefit plans.