Open enrollment resources for employers

Open enrollment is October 1-31, 2023. During open enrollment, eligible subscribers may change their coverage for the upcoming year. Any changes they make during open enrollment take effect January 1, 2024. Employers can find helpful resources to use during open enrollment below.

Watch the Preparing for open enrollment employer training videoexternal link, opens in a new tab. Make note of any questions you might have, then join a virtual Q&A session with Employer Services. We will announce dates and times for sessions in PEBA Update.

Highlights for 2024

  • Active employee and funded retiree health insurance premiums will not increase in 2024.
  • Permanent, part-time teacher, partially funded retiree, non-funded retiree, COBRA subscriber, survivor and former spouse health insurance premiums will increase in 2024.
  • If you are an optional employer, see reminders below about your rates.
  • There will be an increase in premiums for Dental Plus and the State Vision Plan.
  • The State Health Plan will cover an annual well woman visit at no member cost for eligible female non-Medicare primary members, effective January 1, 2024.
  • The State Health Plan will cover birth control at no member cost for primary members covered as child dependents.
  • Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC) will be the new State Flexible Benefits Plan (MoneyPlus) administrator. Administrative fees will reduce to $2.14 per account per month. Learn more at www.SCMoneyPlus.comexternal link, opens in a new tab.

Your responsibility as an employer

  • Complete and return the Service Purchaser Details Application to TASC so your group can be set up on its system. If you do not have your group’s form, email TASC at scmoneyplus@tasconline.com.
  • Review other insurance products you may offer. You may not offer an insurance benefit that is available through PEBA. You may offer products not available through PEBA; however, premiums for those products may not be paid pretax through MoneyPlus.
  • Complete the ACA requirements for the Standard Administrative Period.
  • Distribute hard copies of federally mandated notices to employees.
  • Provide employees with a link to PEBA’s open enrollment webpage, peba.sc.gov/oe.
  • Encourage employees to use MyBenefitsexternal link, opens in a new tab to:
    • Review current coverage and life insurance beneficiaries, even if they don’t plan to make changes.
    • Make open enrollment changes and upload supporting documentation.
  • Prepare and issue the COBRA initial notice(s), if applicable.
  • Approve all employee-initiated transactions in EBSexternal link, opens in a new tab in a timely manner. Review the Suspense Inquiry in EBS daily and correct any errors in a timely manner. Document all changes for appropriate recordkeeping.
  • In December, log in to EBS to view Report HIS759 for a list of open enrollment transactions that have not been approved. PEBA will purge outstanding transactions in mid-December.
  • Confirm January 2024 payroll deductions correspond with approved open enrollment transactions. Advise employees to review payroll deductions in January 2024.
  • Submit updated SLTD salary information.

Reminder for optional employers

Optional employers must apply their load factor to both the employer and subscriber shares of the health premium. Written notification of load factors was sent to employers in March. Use the monthly premium worksheet for optional employers to communicate your health premiums to subscribers.

Publications and resources

How to make changes

The easiest way for subscribers to make coverage selections during open enrollment is through MyBenefits (mybenefits.sc.govexternal link, opens in a new tab).

Keep in mind that employees may enroll in, drop or change dental coverage this year. The next opportunity for subscribers to make a change will be October 2025 or within 31 days of a special eligibility situation.

Some coverage changes, including enrolling a dependent who is not currently covered under any benefit, require supporting documentation. Subscribers can upload documents through MyBenefitsexternal link, opens in a new tab. PEBA must receive the documents by December 1, 2023, to approve the changes. Members can learn how to upload documents in our “Uploading Supporting Documents in MyBenefits” videoexternal link, opens in a new tab.

Life insurance changes during open enrollment

If an active employee wants to enroll in or increase Optional Life or Dependent Life-Spouse coverage, they must complete a Notice of Election (NOE)external link, opens in a new tab, sign it and return it to their benefits administrator by October 31, 2023. They also must complete the online Statement of Health they will receive in an email from MetLife. If MetLife approves their coverage, their benefits administrator will submit the NOE to PEBA.

View the Electronic life insurance Statement of Health process for complete instructions.

You will submit the NOE(s) to PEBA if you receive approval for coverage from MetLife. Be sure to include a copy of the MetLife approval report with the NOE.

Employees should submit separate NOEs for Optional Life and Dependent Life-Spouse requests and make all other open enrollment changes through MyBenefitsexternal link, opens in a new tab.