Open enrollment resources for employers

Open enrollment is October 1-31, 2024. During open enrollment, eligible subscribers may change their coverage for the upcoming year. Any changes they make during open enrollment take effect January 1, 2025. Employers can find helpful resources to use during open enrollment below.

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

Highlights for 2025

  • Active employee   and funded retiree   health insurance premiums will not increase in 2025.
  • Permanent, part-time teacher, partially funded retiree, non-funded retiree, COBRA subscriber, survivor and former spouse health insurance premiums will increase in 2025.
  • If you are an optional employer, see reminders below about your rates.
  • Supplemental Long Term Disability (SLTD) monthly premium factors will decrease in 2025.
  • Active employees may apply for SLTD or change their SLTD benefit waiting period for existing coverage without medical evidence.
  • Normal Plan provisions (copayments and coinsurance) will apply to members who receive care at a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH).
  • Members will pay the applicable brand copayment for higher-cost diabetic products and supplies, such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps. No-Pay Copay participants will pay a reduced copayment for these higher-cost products and supplies.
  • Supplies and drugs to treat diabetes will not be eligible for the No-Pay Copay program for Savings Plan members.
  • A new tobacco cessation will offer participants an option of live interactive online sessions or a self-paced structured program.

Your responsibility as an employer

  • 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 cannot be paid pretax through MoneyPlus.
  • Complete the ACA requirements for the Standard Administrative Period.
  • Distribute hard copies of federally mandated notices to employees by October 1.
  • Provide employees with a link to PEBA’s open enrollment webpage, peba.sc.gov/oe.
  • Encourage employees to use MyBenefits   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 EBS   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 2025 payroll deductions correspond with approved open enrollment transactions. Advise employees to review payroll deductions in January 2025.
  • Submit updated SLTD salary information. Not applicable for Comptroller General agencies.

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.gov).  

Keep in mind, changes to existing dental coverage can be made during open enrollment only in odd-numbered years. 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 MyBenefits.   PEBA must receive the documents by December 2, 2024, to approve the changes. Members can learn how to upload documents in our “Uploading Supporting Documents in MyBenefits” video.  

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)   for plan year 2025, sign it and return it to their benefits administrator by October 31, 2024. Review the NOE to confirm the elected coverage amount is allowed. The employee must also complete the online Statement of Health they will receive in an email from MetLife. If MetLife approves their coverage, the benefits administrator will submit the NOE and MetLife approval report 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. Regardless of the amount approved by MetLife, confirm the elected coverage amount on the NOE is allowed.

Employees should submit separate NOEs for Optional Life and Dependent Life-Spouse requests and make all other open enrollment changes through MyBenefits.  

SLTD changes during open enrollment

Active employees may apply for Supplemental Long Term Disability (SLTD) or change their SLTD benefit waiting period for existing coverage without medical evidence. As a reminder, applying for SLTD or changing the benefit waiting period from 180 days to 90 days throughout the year require medical evidence.