Annual benefits enrollment is now open and will continue through Nov. 2, giving Emory University faculty and staff an opportunity to review their current benefits and make changes for the upcoming year. Elections made during the enrollment period will become effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Faculty and staff can select from two medical plan options for the upcoming year: the HSA Plan and the POS Plan.

"Balancing access to affordable, quality health care against increasing costs to those who rely on the plans had to be considered. We worked hard to come up with two medical plans of comparable value that offer two different approaches to health care benefits," says Vice President of Human Resources Peter Barnes.

To help faculty and staff with the decision-making process, several tools and resources available on the Annual Enrollment website offer ways to compare the medical plan options and estimate for upcoming costs. Employees also have the option to attend a benefits enrollment meeting offered throughout October.

New for 2013, Emory will offer incentives for participation in wellness activities beginning in January. Faculty and staff will have the option of lowering their overall medical costs by participating in a variety of wellness activities such as a biometric screenings, online health assessments and disease management programs. More specifics on these incentives will be announced later.

Faculty and staff can enroll online through self-service with their network ID and password. For more information on how to enroll and the changes for 2013, visit the Annual Enrollment website.

Barnes says becoming an educated health care consumer is the key to keeping costs down. "It's important to take the time during Annual Enrollment to understand options and plan for health care costs."