Annual insurance open enrollment begins Oct. 1

During the upcoming annual open enrollment period (Oct. 1-31, 2020), eligible employees may change their coverage for the following year. Changes you make during open enrollment take effect Jan. 1, 2021. The South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) is the state agency responsible for the administration and management of the state’s insurance programs for South Carolina’s public workforce. PEBA’s 2021 Insurance Summary (PDF) has details about open enrollment options and includes an open enrollment worksheet (PDF). 

Open enrollment highlights

• During this year’s open enrollment, eligible employees can:
  • enroll in or increase Optional Life (employee) coverage by up to $50,000 without medical evidence,
  • enroll in Supplemental Long Term Disability (SLTD) coverage without medical evidence and
  • change the benefit waiting period for existing SLTD coverage from 180 days to 90 days without medical evidence.
• This year is not a “dental year.” Changes to existing dental coverage can be made only during open enrollment in odd-numbered years. Your next opportunity to make a change will be October 2021 or within 31 days of a special eligibility situation.
• MoneyPlus flexible spending account holders must re-enroll to continue. Medical Spending Account (MSA), Limited Use Medical Spending Account (LUMSA) and Dependent Care Spending Account (DCSA) participants are required to re-enroll for the following year. Conversely, Health Savings Account (HSA) elections will continue into the next year if an employee takes no action.

Possible open enrollment actions are not limited to the highlights above. As always, eligible employees may use the open enrollment period to review, enroll in and make changes to many PEBA insurance benefits and Clemson voluntary insurance benefit plans. 

How do I review my existing coverage and/or make changes during open enrollment?

To review your current PEBA insurance coverage, including beneficiaries, just log into PEBA’s MyBenefits portal. This is also where you’ll go to make your coverage selections during open enrollment. If you don’t already have a MyBenefits account, you’ll need to register. Access the Setting Up a New MyBenefits Account flyer (PDF) to learn how.

Note: Premiums for the 2021 benefit year have not yet been published by PEBA, but once they are made available, they will be included in open enrollment materials for employe

Do I need to do anything if I’m satisfied with my current coverage?

If you’re satisfied with your current coverage as indicated in MyBenefits, you don’t need to do anything to continue your coverage in 2021 (unless you have a MoneyPlus flexible spending account, in which case you’ll need to re-enroll).

All employees are highly encouraged to review their insurance elections and life insurance beneficiaries for accuracy during the annual insurance open enrollment period.

Additional resources and support

An open enrollment webpage is in development on the Office of Human Resources website and will be live soon. Once published, the webpage will be a starting point and resource center for all things related to open enrollment. In the meantime, PEBA’s open enrollment webpage is a helpful resource.

Prior to open enrollment, eligible employees will receive a comprehensive open enrollment overview with tools, tips and resources. Virtual support during the Oct. 1-31 open enrollment period will be available through PEBA, Aflac and the Office of Human Resources.