Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment 2024 has ended
All benefits changes will be effective 01/01/2024
Important Changes for 2024
The County is pleased to announce a new member experience, with Blue Shield's Navigator PPO powered by Accolade. With Accolade concierge medical navigation, members will have the same medical plan designs that you have today, with a one stop shop through a phone call, member portal, or mobile app to obtain:
- Health and benefits support
- Access to a health care assistant
- Help finding and booking high quality, in-network provider appointments
- An easier way to access virtual care solutions
- Expert medical second opinions
While your medical plan designs will remain the same, there will be some changes moving from Anthem to Blue Shield. Anthem Select network will change to Blue Shield Tandem PPO network. The County will be transitioning from the Anthem network of providers to Blue Shield of California providers.
Many employees have shared questions regarding the 2024 medical renewal, Blue Shield transition, and the new Navigator PPO powered by Accolade. To help answer your questions, we have create a Frequently Asked Questions page.
FAQs
During this period, employees and retirees will be able to make updates to their medical, dental and vision plans as well as make dependent changes. The new plans will be effective January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.
While it is always recommended to take this opportunity to review your benefit elections, no action is required unless:
-
You waive County medical insurance. You are required to take action during Open Enrollment to provide proof of other coverage to continue to waive.
-
If you participate in a Health or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA). Your FSA or HSA election amounts need to be selected each plan year.
| What | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Countywide Presentation |
Aug. 17 10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Countywide Virtual Presentation on Medical Renewal and Accolade Employees Only |
| Benefits Fair |
Sept. 28 11:00 am - 3:30 pm |
The Benefits Fair will be in-person this year! Hosted at the Veteran's Hall: 801 Grand Ave. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 |
| Open Enrollment Begins | Oct. 06 | Visit www.BenXcel.net to review your medical, dental, and vision plans and make changes. |
| Open Enrollment Ends | Oct. 20 | Last chance to visit www.BenXcel.net to review your benefits elections and make changes. |
Employee 1:1 Benefits Counseling Appointments
It's important to review your current benefits elections to determine if you want to make changes to your plans during Open Enrollment. This year, we have 1:1 appointments to assist you in identifying what plans are best for you.
Sign up for a 1:1 Virtual* Personal Benefits Counseling appointment prior to Open Enrollment.
|
Sept. 13 9:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Sept. 19 9:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Sept. 21 9:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Sept. 26 9:00 am - 12:00 pm |
|
Oct. 2 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Oct. 9 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
Oct. 18 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
|
*Appointments will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. Upon sign up, you will automatically be sent a Teams invitation.
Employee BenXcel Workshops
Whether you need assistance with enrolling in plans through BenXcel, printing a confirmation statement, or reviewing your enrollments, the Benefits Team is available for in-person BenXcel Workshops at the New Government Center (SLO). The workshop will be held in Suite D-150, the HR Annex.
Stop by the HR Annex on October 10 or October 17 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm to participate in the BenXcel Workshop!
The Benefits Team will be hosting a virtual Microsoft Teams benefits presentation for retirees. After the presentation, retirees can call the Human Resources Department at (805) 781-4199 to setup a 15-minute 1:1 appointment with the Benefits Team to review any questions.
| What | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Retiree Presentation |
Sept. 12 11:00 am - 11:30 am |
Virtual Teams Benefits Presentation Retirees Only |
| Retiree 1:1 Meetings |
Sept. 18 9:00 am - 3:00 pm |
15 minute appointments In Person or Virtual Retirees Only Call (805) 781- 4199 to schedule |
| Retiree 1:1 Meetings |
Sept. 20 9:00 am - 3:00 pm |
15 minute appointments In Person or Virtual Retirees Only Call (805) 781- 4199 to schedule |
| SLOCREA Presentation |
Oct. 3 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm |
The Benefits Team will be presenting on Open Enrollment and upcoming changes at the SLOCREA Elks Lodge meeting. |
| Retiree 1:1 Meetings |
Oct. 4 9:00 am - 3:00 pm |
15 minute appointments In Person or Virtual Retirees Only Call (805) 781-4199 to schedule |
The Benefits Team will be presenting to various departments throughout the County both in person and virtually. Please contact your Payroll Coordinator for more information regarding your department's presentation date.
| Department | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Public Health/Health Agency |
Aug. 14 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm |
In-Person Benefits Presentation Employees Only |
|
Child Support Services |
Aug. 16 10:00 am - 10:45 am |
In-Person Benefits Presentation Employees Only |
| Agriculture and UCCE |
Aug. 16 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm |
Virtual Teams Benefits Presentation Employees Only Contact your PYC for invitation link |
| Countywide Presentation |
Aug. 17 10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Countywide Virtual Presentation on Medical Renewal and Accolade Employees Only |
| County Counsel |
Aug. 21 10:00 am - 11:00 am |
In-Person Benefits Presentation Employees Only |
| Planning and Building |
Aug. 23 11:00 am - 11:45 am |
In-Person Benefits Presentation Employees Only |
|
Probation |
Aug. 28 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
In-Person Benefits Presentation Employees Only |
| Libraries |
Aug. 30 9:00 am - 9:30 am |
In-Person Benefits Presentation Employees Only |
| Parks |
Aug. 31 9:00 am - 10:00 am |
Virtual Teams Benefits Presentation Employees Only Contact your PYC for invitation link |
| Social Services |
Sept. 12 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Sept. 21 10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Virtual Teams Benefits Presentation Employees Only Contact your PYC for invitation link |
| Health Agency |
Sept. 27 9:30 am - 10:30 am |
Virtual Zoom Benefits Presentation Employees Only |
The Benefits Fair is returning in-person this year! The fair is your opportunity to learn about the extensive benefits available to you, meet with representatives from our vendors, receive a flu shot, and attend live presentations.
When: Thursday, September 28 from 11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Where: Veteran's Hall -- 801 Grand Ave. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Vendors will be on-site at this year's fair including, but not limited to:
- Accolade, Blue Shield of California, MetLife Pet Insurance, Hinge Health, Nationwide, Rx 'n Go, Delta Dental, GSFA Assist to Own, GotZoom, VSP, HICAP, and the County Employee Health Clinic
Attend the fair to be entered for raffle prizes from vendors, including an electric toothbrush, coffee tumbler, and various gift cards. Stop by for a smoothie, flu shot, and massage!
Presentation Times
- 11:30 am - Accolade
- 12:00 pm - MetLife Pet Insurance
- 1:30 pm - Accolade
- 2:00 pm - MetLife Pet Insurance
Transportation
- A 25-passenger shuttle bus will be available for Health Agency, SLO and Department of Social Services, SLO to the Benefits Fair.
- The shuttle bus will loop between Health Agency, DSS, and the Veterans Hall throughout the day. Signs will be posted at the department to for pick-up location. Please see the estimated shuttle times below, but keep in mind they may be impacted by traffic.
- Estimated Shuttle Times:
- Depart Health Agency: 11:00 am, 11:40 am, 12:25 pm, 1:10 pm, 1:55 pm
- Depart DSS: 11:15 am, 12:00 pm, 12:45 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:20 pm
- Depart Veterans Hall: 12:15 pm, 1:00 pm, 1:45 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:15 pm
- Employees can join the Walking Wellness Initiative by walking from the New Government Center to the fair as a group. Anyone who walks to the fair will be entered in a special raffle to win a prize!
- Meet up outside the New Government Center front doors on the Monterey Street side.
- Two separate walking groups will depart from the New Government Center at 11 am and 12 pm.
- Look for your Walking Ambassadors who will be holding signs and leading the walk.
- For those not taking the shuttle bus or walking, there is ample parking available at the Veteran's Hall for individual cars. If you can, consider carpooling!
Vaccinations
The County will be offering flu vaccinations at the fair. More details on the vaccination offerings will be provided soon.
