Open Enrollment 2021

January 1, 2021, marks the beginning of a new year for the College’s benefit plans. The open enrollment period for making any changes is Monday, October 12 – Monday, November 9, 2020. As in past years, this is an active enrollment process, meaning that subscribers must log in to bswift to confirm or change your elections. An active process ensures that employees annually examine their benefits and make appropriate decisions about the benefits that best suit their own and their families’ needs.

Medical Plans:  The plans remain essentially unchanged, however, medical premiums will be increasing by 2.5%. After the wellness incentive contribution amount is applied, the impact on your premium is 2.4% – 2.8% depending on the plan. 

Pharmacy Coverage: In an effort to control rising prescription drug costs, the college is changing its prescription drug plan management to SmithRx.

New ID cards will be sent to you for both medical plan coverage and prescription drug coverage.

Dental Plan: While our dental plan claims have also been steadily on the rise over the past few years, utilization this year was low due to pandemic and dental office closures. As a result, there are no changes to the dental premiums for 2021. 

Flexible Savings Accounts: You must log into bswift to complete your election for 2021 FSA Healthcare, FSA Dependent Care, and HSA. The annual limits will increase slightly for 2021. 

  • For FSA Health Accounts, rollover increased to $550. 
  • Contribution maximums to Health Savings Accounts  (HSA) increased to $3,600 individual coverage and $7,200 family coverage for the Saver Plan.

As a reminder, for those enrolled in the deductible plans, employees are responsible for a $500 deductible for an individual plan and $1,000 deductible for employee-plus-one and family plans. 

Vision Plan: The BCBS Blue 20/20 vision plan will continue to be available to employees and their families with no changes to the plans or premiums. 

You can review the 2021 Health, Dental, and Vision Plan Costs on the HR website. You can also review all benefit plan premiums in bswift during open enrollment.

Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability: As part of the transition to UNUM as our new Life Insurance, LTD, and leave administrator, you have the opportunity to apply for the following without Evidence of Insurability (medical questionnaire):

  • Supplemental Employee Life (up to $300,000)
  • Spouse Life (up to $50,000 or 50% of Supplemental Employee Life)
  • Child Life ($5,000)
  • Supplemental Long-Term Disability (increases LTD to 70% of salary)

Please take the time to review your beneficiaries for new and existing coverage in bswift and update them as needed. 

Charitable Contributions: You must log into bswift to complete your election for annual contributions to the Bennington United Way, Berkshire United Way, Northern Berkshire United Way, and Williamstown Community Chest. All contributions will be spread over 24 pay periods.

Personalized Enrollment Statement: You will receive a 2020 Personalized Enrollment Statement by email on October 11, 2020. We recommend you review this. Again, this is an active enrollment, all employees must log in to bswift to complete Open Enrollment elections or make changes.

Please remember to make elections for 2021 FSA Healthcare, FSA Dependent Care, HSA, and Charitable Donations, and update your dependents/beneficiaries if needed.

Open Enrollment Virtual Information Sessions 

Tuesday, 

October 13th

3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Friday, October 16th 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Enrollment Support

Human Resources

  • If you require more assistance and would like to sign up for a personalized Open Enrollment Support Session (30 minutes) with an HR staff member please complete the Open Enrollment Support Session Form to schedule a time.  
  • If you do not have access to a computer in order to enroll, please call Human Resources at 413-597-2681 (leave a message) so alternate arrangements can be made.  

Are you considering the PPO Saver plan with a Health Savings Account? 

Sue Durocher, Benefits Consultant at OneDigital | Health and Benefits, is available for one on one consultations. Email her at [email protected] to schedule a time to connect.

Need help with choosing a medical plan? We encourage you to use the Ask Emma and the calculator features at https://bswift.williams.edu to determine which medical plan best meets your needs. 

More information about your medical plan options can be found in this Medical Plan FAQ and the Medical/Dental Benefits page.

Notice of Creditable Coverage: 

We are required to include the Notice of Creditable Coverage to inform Medicare-eligible beneficiaries that the coverage provided under the group health plan meets or exceeds what is required under a Part D drug plan.