IN-PERSON
During your annual enrollment period, a PGB Benefits Representative will be available by appointment to meet with you one-on-one to help you evaluate your benefits based on your individual and family needs, answer any questions you may have, and assist you in the enrollment process.
ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD: MARCH 3, 2025 – MAY 2, 2025
ELIGIBILITY:
– Employees working 30 hours or more per week are eligible for benefits.
– Employees must be a contributing member of the North Carolina Retirement System.
IMPORTANT NOTICES:
– When do my benefits start? The plan year for Colonial Life Insurance Products and Group Term Life, Ameriflex Flexible Spending Accounts, Call A Doctor Plus Telemedicine Plan, Nationwide Pet Insurance, CHUBB Long Term Care, Delta Dental, and Superior Vision runs from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026.
– When do my deductions start? Deductions for Colonial Life Basic Group Term Life, Ameriflex Flexible Spending Accounts, Call A Doctor Plus Telemedicine, Nationwide Pet Insurance, Delta Dental, Superior Vision, and CHUBB Long Term Care start September 2025 for all eligible employees. Deductions for Colonial Life Insurance Products and Supplemental Group Term Life begin August 2025 for 10 and 12 month salary employees, and September 2025 for 10 month hourly employees. The Legal Shield ID Theft and Legal Plan is available by Direct Billing only. No deductions will be taken via payroll deduction.
– Why have my Cancer, Accident, or Medical Bridge benefits not started yet? The Colonial Cancer plan and the Health Screening Rider on the Colonial Accident and Colonial Medical Bridge plan have a 30-day waiting period for new enrollees. Coverage, therefore, will not begin until October 1, 2025.
– What is an EAP? Your Group Term Life coverage includes Health Advocate Employee Assistance + Work/Life Programs. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential support and resources for personal or work-related challenges and concerns. Please see the Group Term Life pages of this benefit guide for more details and contact information.
– How do Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds work, and do my FSA funds have to be used by a specific deadline? Flexible Spending Account expenses must be incurred during the plan year to be eligible for reimbursement. After the plan year ends, an employee has 90 days to submit claims for incurred qualified spending account expenses (or 90 days after employment termination date). If employment is terminated before the plan year ends, the spending account also ends. Failure to use all allotted funds in the FSA account will result in a “Use It or Lose It” scenario.
– My spouse is enrolled in an Health Savings Account (HSA), am I eligible for an FSA? As a married couple, one spouse cannot be enrolled in a Medical Reimbursement FSA at the same time the other opens or contributes to an HSA.
– How do Dependent Care Account (DCA) funds work and when do they need to be used? Dependent Care Accounts are like FSA accounts and allow you to request reimbursement up to your current balance. However, you cannot receive more reimbursement than what has been deducted from your pay. It’s important to note that any remaining funds in your DCA account must be utilized before the deadline. Failure to use all allotted funds in the DCA account will result in a “Use It or Lose It” scenario.
– When will I get my card? If you will be receiving a new debit card, whether you are a new participant or to replace your expired card, please be aware that it may take up to 30 days following your plan effective date for your card to arrive. Your card will be delivered by mail in a plain white envelope. During this time you may use manual claim forms for eligible expenses. Please note that your debit card is good through the expiration date printed on the card.
– I want to sign my family up for benefits as well, what information will I need? If signing up for any coverage on your spouse and/or children, please have their dates of birth and social security numbers available when speaking with the Benefits Representative.
– What is the difference between pre and post-tax benefits? Pre-tax benefit contributions are taken from an employee’s paycheck before state and federal taxes are applied. Post-tax benefit contributions are paid after taxes are deducted. It’s important to note that some coverages may still be subject to taxes even if paid for through pre-tax deduction or employee contribution.
– Can I change my benefit elections outside of the enrollment period? Elections made during this enrollment period CANNOT BE CHANGED AFTER THE ENROLLMENT PERIOD unless there is a family status change, otherwise known as a qualifying life event (QLE), as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Examples of a QLE can be found here.
– I have a pre-existing condition. Will I still be covered? Some policies may include a pre-existing condition clause. Please read your policy carefully for full details.
YOU CAN MAKE THE FOLLOWING BENEFIT ELECTIONS DURING THE ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD:
– Enroll/Re-Enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts.⁺
– Enroll in, change, or cancel Dental Insurance.
– Enroll in, change, or cancel Vision Insurance.
– Enroll in, change, or cancel Group Term Life Insurance.
– Enroll in, change, or cancel Telemedicine coverage.
– Enroll in, change, or cancel Pet Insurance.**
– Enroll in, change, or cancel ID Theft & Legal Benefits (DIRECT BILLING ONLY*)**.
– Enroll in, change, or cancel Colonial coverage.
⁺You will need to re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Accounts if you want them to continue each year.
*The Legal plan is available by Direct Billing only. No deductions will be taken via payroll deduction.
**Please see the coordinating pages of your Benefits Guide for enrollment instructions for the Pet and Legal Plan.
IMPORTANT NOTE & DISCLAIMER
This is neither an insurance contract nor a Summary Plan Description and only the actual policy provisions will prevail. All information in your benefits guide including premiums quoted is subject to change. All policy descriptions are for information purposes only. Your actual policies may be different than those in the benefits guide.
Flexible Spending Accounts: IMS
Dental Insurance: Sun Life
Vision Insurance: Superior Vision
Cancer Benefits: Colonial Life
Accident Benefits: Colonial Life
Medical Bridge Benefits: Colonial Life
Short-Term Disability Benefits: Colonial Life
Critical Illness Benefits: Colonial Life
Group Term Life Insurance: Colonial Life
Telemedicine Benefits: Call A Doctor Plus
Student Loan Assistance Program: GradFin
Long Term Care: CHUBB
Pet Insurance: Nationwide
Home & Auto Insurance: Farmers Insurance
ID Theft & Legal Benefits: Legal Shield