General Open Enrollment Information

Open Enrollment occurs once each year and provides employees the opportunity to make changes to their health plans without a qualifying life event.  Please keep the following in mind:

• Plan Options & Premiums: Health plan offerings and premium rates may change annually.  Review the bi-weekly premium rates for any plan you are currently enrolled in or considering.
• Flexible Credit Allowance: The County’s contribution (Flexible Credit Allowance) toward medical premiums can change each year.  Be sure to review this allowance along with your plan options before making enrollment decisions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Per IRS requirements, FSA elections must be made each year to maintain enrollment for the upcoming plan year—even if you are currently enrolled.  Employees must elect and properly submit an FSA enrollment during Open Enrollment to participate in the next plan year.  No exceptions.
• Enrollment Deadline: Open Enrollment is a defined period.  If changes are not submitted correctly during this time, no further changes can be made after the deadline.
• Employee Responsibility: Employees are responsible for ensuring all desired changes are submitted and confirmed during their Open Enrollment period.
• System & Submission Verification: Employees must verify their elections have been properly submitted.  We suggest you print or save your latest Submitted Enrollment Statement and keep a copy for your records.  To confirm your submission:
  • Log in to VCHRP → Employee Self-Service → Benefit Details → Benefit Statements.
  • Verify that your latest submission reflects the elections you intended.
  • Verify that the “Status” of your latest submission in the online event shows “Submitted,” along with the correct timestamp for your most recent submission (if you submitted more than once). The status field is located directly above the “Submit” button.
  • Review the Submitted Enrollment Statement for accuracy. (If it’s not there, our position is that it was not submitted.)

Issues such as system errors, payroll related shutdowns, remote login or password difficulties, or failure to confirm your elections will not permit changes after the deadline. To help avoid these situations, please complete your enrollment early and seek assistance right away if you experience any problems.