Open Enrollment

Bulloch County strives to provide a comprehensive and competitive benefits program designed to help our employees balance work and life responsibilities. This information is provided to assist you in making the best decisions regarding your benefits. From May 13th through May 27th, full-time employees are able to change, add, drop, or re-enroll in certain county benefits plans. For most benefits, this is the ONLY opportunity to make arbitrary changes to your coverage. The choices you make during open enrollment will become effective July 1st.

No Costs Increases

Bulloch County works hard to keep your benefits affordable. Once again this year, your premiums for health, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance will remain the same. No cost increases for our employees!

• Employees will select benefit options through the Employee Self-Service Portal (ESS).
• Be prepared to update beneficiaries and dependents through ESS.
• Depending on your choices, forms may be required.
• Complete ESS open enrollment even if you are not making changes.
• If you need an in-person consultation, please book an appointment HERE.

Resources

Questions?

How does online Open Enrollment work?

Open Enrollment will be accessed through your Employee Self-Service Portal. Read How to Complete Open Enrollment for step-by-step instructions. Please read the instructions carefully.

What if I have benefit questions?

Our vendors are available to speak with you by phone to answer questions. Click the benefit options above for contact information. Alternatively, you may contact Human Resources at hr@bullochcounty.net. You can also book an appointment HERE.

How long do I have to make changes?

Changes and/or enrollments MUST be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2022. No exceptions.

When does my coverage change start?

All choices elected during open enrollment become effective July 1, 2022.

What happens if I don’t do anything?

We strongly encourage ALL benefits-eligible employees to complete the open enrollment process. If you do not:

– Your current health, dental, vision, and AFLAC elections will remain the same.
– You will not be enrolled in flexible spending and/or dependent care.
– Your Air-Evac membership may expire.
– Your dependent life insurance will not renew.
– Your life insurance beneficiary will not be verified and/or updated.

What about Air-Evac?

Air-Evac memberships will not automatically renew. If you need to know when your current membership expires, please contact Air-Evac. You must re-enroll (unless you’re in the middle of a multi-year membership). Complete enrollment on AirMedCare’s website. Download the Air-Evac flyer for more information and instructions.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code, you are allowed to pay for certain group insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars. This means your premium deductions are taken before federal income and social security taxes are calculated, resulting in a net savings.
However, you must make your benefits elections carefully, including the choice to waive coverage. Your pretax elections will remain in effect until the next open enrollment period unless you experience an IRS approved qualifying change in status.

After the Open Enrollment Period, you cannot make changes to your coverage during the year unless you experience a change in family status. You have 31 days from a change in family status to make changes to your current coverage. Examples include, but are not limited to:

A spouse’s employment (and health coverage) begins or ends
Loss of eligibility of a covered dependent (due to age, marital status, or employment)
Death of your covered spouse or child
Birth or adoption of a child
Marriage, divorce, or legal separation
You or your spouse experience a change in work hours that affect benefit eligibility

NOTE: The summary information on this site is for general reference only.
Your actual benefits are governed by the plan documents.