“Though there aren’t major vendor changes this year, experience tells us that a person’s benefits tend to work better when he or she invests the time to understand all of the available options, and the ramifications of those choices,” said Brandon Conkle, director of Total Rewards in the Office of Human Resources. “It’s important to be thinking about how you are using your health benefits, and whether it makes sense to change anything about your coverage.”

The benefits team has scheduled several information sessions (see 2014 Open Enrollment Dates sidebar) open to anyone who wants to better understand what’s changing or get answers to questions in person. The annual Benefits Fair is scheduled for Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom.

The window for making updates to 2015 coverage is just two weeks, from Nov. 3 – 14. While it is not necessary for everyone with coverage to re-enroll in a benefits plan, it is important for all employees signing up for or continuing coverage to log in to TechWorks to certify his or her tobacco usage status. Any employee who neglects to do so will be subject to a $75 non-refundable monthly tobacco surcharge on insurance premiums.

More complete information about plan designs, premiums, and voluntary benefit options will soon be available at www.ohr.gatech.edu. Additionally, a benefits helpline will be activated beginning Oct. 27 as an individualized counseling option.