Health Benefits Open Enrollment
The Equity-League Health Benefits Enrollment Period Ends January 2, 2025
While Open Enrollment ended on December 2, you can still enroll through January 2, 2025, but you’ll pay a $100 penalty. No enrollments will be accepted after January 2, 2025, even with a penalty payment (unless you satisfy one of the Health Fund’s limited Special Enrollment exceptions).
If your current Equity-League Health Fund medical plan coverage continues into 2025, Open Enrollment is your opportunity to make changes to your health benefits to make sure they will meet your needs in the coming year.
You can:
- Enroll in a different medical plan, where available (Cigna or HMO). Your vision coverage will not change.
- Enroll in or switch dental coverage (HMO or PPO).
- Add medical and/or dental coverage for a dependent.
You will not be eligible to change Tiers during Open Enrollment. However, if your current coverage period ends December 31 and you re-qualify for six months of coverage on January 1, you may have the option to elect a different Tier.
All changes and additions are effective January 1, 2025.
What You Need to Do
- Learn if you are eligible for benefits or review your current coverage.
- Review your medical and dental benefit options.
- Compare plan costs.
- Make or change your benefits elections using one of the following ways by January 2, 2025:
- Use the Self-Service Portal to quickly and easily change or add and pay for the coverage you choose, and attach any required forms. If you haven’t visited the Portal before, you’ll need to register first.
- Call (212) 869-9380 in NYC or toll-free outside of NYC (800) 344-5220, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, and submit a payment over the phone. Then, fax any required forms to (212) 869-3323. The Fund office must receive your enrollment form(s) and payment in full by January 2 for your elections to take effect on January 1.
What You Need to Know
Important Open Enrollment Deadlines
- Open Enrollment ended December 2.
- If you missed the deadline, you can still enroll from December 3 through January 2, 2025, but you’ll pay a $100 penalty. No enrollments will be accepted after January 2, 2025, even with a penalty payment (unless you satisfy one of the Health Fund’s limited Special Enrollment exceptions).
- If you don’t want to make changes or additions, you don’t need to take any action. Your current benefits will automatically roll over to 2025.
If You Are Electing Or Changing Dental Coverage
Although you can elect or change dental coverage without submitting the Cigna Dental Enrollment Form, this can result in errors that delay your coverage choices. Keep in mind: If you switch to the Dental HMO or add it for the first time and do not select a primary care dentist, Cigna will assign a dentist to you. To avoid delays, complete and submit the along with your payment if you are changing or electing dental benefits.
If you had continuous health coverage during 2024, but stopped paying for dental coverage during the year, you will be required to pay the premiums that were due for the balance of 2024 before you can enroll for dental coverage in 2025. (Note: This rule does not apply if you lost medical coverage because you were no longer eligible and subsequently requalified for Fund coverage through employment.)
Don’t Miss What’s Important
These days, it’s likely that you pay closer attention to your email than your snail mail. To help ensure you get important ELBF messages in a timely manner, consider opting in for email delivery of important ELBF communications and for text message reminders about premium due dates. Plus, electronic delivery is the green choice: It saves paper and helps cut down on physical shipping methods. Here’s how to opt in:
- Log in to the Self-Service Portal.
- Click the Contact Information tab. Under Communication Preferences, check the applicable boxes to receive communications electronically.
- Confirm your contact information, including the email address where you wish to receive communications from the Funds.
- Click the Submit button.