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Open Enrollment for Health Insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts through May 17

Open enrollment for state-provided health insurance and flexible spending accounts (FSA) begins today and runs through May 17, 2021. Any changes made during open enrollment will be effective July 1, 2021.

Following are the changes for the 2021-22 plan year:

  • Employee premiums have changed.
  • Spotlight on Benefits newsletter has been mailed to employees’ home addresses on file.
  • All Health Plans:
    • Insulin Drug Cost Sharing Maximum: A limit has been placed on member cost sharing for up to a 34-day or 90-day supply of covered insulin prescription drugs (page 6 of Spotlight).
  • COVA Care, COVA HDHP and COVA HealthAware:
    • Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): Coverage for diabetes supplies will be available under the IngenioRx pharmacy benefit (page 6 of Spotlight).
  • COVA Care and COVA HDHP:
    • Sleep Evaluation: Schedule online appointments with a board-certified sleep specialist for evaluation and treatment (page 6 of Spotlight).
  • COVA Care and COVA HealthAware:
    • Premium Rewards: Save on monthly premiums by completing a health assessment.
    • MUST complete a health assessment between May 3 – 17, 2021 for rewards to begin or continue on July 1.

For more information, visit the open enrollment webpage.

No action is required for those who wish to continue the same insurance; however, flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care and the premium rewards discount must be renewed each year.

Employees are strongly encouraged to submit open enrollment changes through EmployeeDirect, the Virginia Department of Human Resources Management’s (DHRM) electronic submission portal, and select Health Benefits Direct. Changes must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on May 17, 2021.

Enrollment forms and supporting documents can also be submitted to Human Resources using their secure e-drop box. Paper forms should only be used if online access is unavailable.

Human Resources is offering Zoom information sessions for employees to review health insurance and FSA changes. Registration is not required for these sessions.

Please direct any questions to the HR Service Center at hrservicecenter@vt.edu or 540-23

Dear Hokie,

Last week we shared with the Class of 2021 that the university was planning in-person moments to celebrate commencement and that the University Commencement ceremony would be online.

We don’t know yet what public health conditions will allow, but are planning for different scenarios based on what state and local restrictions could be in the coming months.

Planning for those in-person gatherings is underway and we need your help. Please take a moment to share what’s most important to you about celebrating in person.

Graduation is a cherished once-in-a-lifetime milestone for Hokies and their families. It’s hard to know what conditions will be like months from now, but it’s important that we explore all options.

Restrictions in Virginia were eased in late February. Certain outdoor sports and entertainment venues can operate at increased capacity. However, this does not include commencement ceremonies at this point in time, according to guidance from the state.

As public health conditions evolve and affect state guidelines on gathering sizes, we will adjust plans and share updates. We are hopeful that positive cases will decline across the state, spread in our community will decrease, and restrictions will continue to loosen.

We need everyone’s help keeping positive COVID cases down. Now is the time to continue vigilance and the mitigation efforts we know work. We must stay the course if we want restrictions on gatherings to loosen.

We will continue to share commencement updates via email, online, and through Virginia Tech social media channels. In the meantime, here’s how you can get ready for commencement and stay informed.

Visit the university’s commencement website for updates and more detailed information, including FAQs and details on how to submit your photos for the online ceremony.