Annual Health Benefits Plan Open Enrollment will be different this year as it has adjusted to COVID-19 times.
It will be all virtual with some differences in how to enroll in a different plan or add a dependent between state and local government workers. The open enrollment will start on October 1 (Thursday) and end October 31 and plan changes will be effective on 1/1/21.
Here’s a rundown:
State Workers
State workers will able to enroll in a different plan or add a dependent through a new on-line application called Benefitsolver. There will be no paper forms to complete and process and state workers will not need to go through their Human Resource offices to make changes.
The Benefitsolver Open Enrollment Flyer explains how members can login and start their enrollment. The MyChoice Mobile App flyer explains how members can access health plan information whenever they need it.
We recommend that state workers stay with CWA Unity/NJ Direct (same plan different name) or the Omnia tiered network plan. The Horizon HMO is both more expensive and has a restricted network.
Omnia is significantly less expensive (25%) than CWA Unity/NJ Direct, has the same coverage of benefits, and provides a cash incentive to join but Omnia can entail significant out-of-pocket expenses if you go to a tier two provider. There is no out-of-network coverage for Omnia. Omnia can be an attractive option if the tier one providers meet your needs. Members considering Omnia should review the tier one providers.
Medicare Retirees
The Benefitsolver app will be rolled out for Medicare retirees on March 1, 2021.
If you have questions regarding your benefits, please see your employer or call the NJDPB Office of Client Services at 609-292-7524. If you have trouble accessing the Benefitsolver website, please see your human resources representative.
Direct Primary Care
Membership to Direct Primary Care Doctor’s Office Included in N.J. SHBP/SEHBP Benefits at no additional cost
The New Jersey State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) offer employees and their covered dependents the opportunity to join a Direct Primary Care doctor’s office at no additional cost. This is available as part of the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and does not require any changes to your health insurance. Simply choose a Direct Primary Care doctor from Paladina Health or R-Health and get unlimited access to personalized care with no copays, when and where it’s convenient for you. Direct Primary Care doctors provide a full range of services including preventative, urgent, and sick care, health and wellness coaching, chronic disease management, and care coordination.
The Direct Primary Care program is available to employees and dependents covered under the following SHBP/SEHBP Plans:
- Horizon NJ Direct plans
- Horizon SHBP OMNIA plans
- Horizon CWA Unity plans
- Non-Medicare retirees
