2017 Annual Benefit Enrollment
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Personalized Benefit Statement
- North Dakota Public Employee Retirement System (NDPERS) Health Insurance
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Dental Insurance
- Avesis Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Long-term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Pension Plans
- 457 Plans
- Payroll Calendar & Pay Scales
- Change of Address
- Deadlines
Overview
Benefits are an important part of your total compensation from the City of Fargo. We encourage you to take time to review your current benefit elections and determine if you would like to make any changes for 2018. The enrollment period begins on October 16 and ends on November 3, 2017. Below, you will find information on all of the benefits offered and instructions on how to make changes to your benefit elections. Please remember you are only able to make changes to your health, dental, and vision insurance as well as your flexible spending account elections one time each year during the annual enrollment period. Outside of annual enrollment, you are only allowed to make changes or cancel these benefits within 30 days of a qualifying event. Also, please be aware all benefits have a 26 year age limit for qualifying dependents. You must remove your dependents from coverage when they reach 26 years old. Please see the specific details on how to remove dependent’s from benefit packages.
The deadline to complete your on-line enrollments and submit any applications/forms to the Human Resources office is 4:30 pm on Friday, November 3, 2017. No enrollments or changes will be accepted after November 3.
If you have any questions or need assistance please contact Human Resources at 701.241.1321.
Personalized Benefit Statement
The Personalized Benefit Statement gives you a summary of your enrolled benefits as of the September 15, 2017 payroll. The Personalized Benefit Statement breaks down of your estimated contributions as well as the City’s estimated contributions to your benefits on an annual basis.
You can access your Personalized Benefit Statement through the same ATS website you currently use to access your check stubs and W-2’s. To access this statement click on the “My Benefits” tab in the left hand column. If you need to re-familiarize yourself with the ATS system or request a new password, please see the instructions below:
- Instructions on accessing the ATS Website: ATS Instructions
- Access the ATS Website and view your benefit statement: ATS Website
North Dakota Public Employee Retirement System (NDPERS) Health Insurance
All employees who are eligible for health insurance and are not enrolled in NDPERS as of January 1, 2018 must complete the decline offer of health insurance coverage: NDPERS Form 60711
There are no changes to the NDPERS Health Insurance plan effective January 1, 2018. The premiums are effective through June 30, 2019. If you are not making any changes to your health insurance, no action is required and you will maintain your current level of coverage. We encourage all employees to log on to NDPERS Member Self Service to verify your current level of coverage and covered dependents.
NDPERS is no longer accepting paper forms for enrollment. If you choose to make any changes effective January 1, 2018 you will need to click on the link below to get to the NDPERS Member Self Service Site. All changes must be made through this site between October 16 and November 3. In order to log onto the site, you will need your NDPERS Member Identification Number which is different than the number on your health insurance card. For those of you who already participate in NDPERS Pension Plan and/or NDPERS Health Insurance, you would have been issued a number when you first enrolled. If you do not know your number, please contact Human Resources at 701.241.1321 or e-mail the address listed below to request your number.
If you currently aren’t enrolled in NDPERS pension or health insurance and you are planning to enroll in the NDPERS health insurance for 2018, you will need a PERS ID number. Human Resources will be able to assist you with obtaining your PERS ID number at the Benefit Fair. Please complete the Member Personal Data Checklist Member Personal Data Checklist and bring it with you to the Benefits Fair or return it to Human Resources.
NDPERS’s age limit for dependents is 26. You must go out to NDPERS Member Self Service website to remove the ineligible dependent from your health plan.
- Request your NDPERS Member Identification Number via e-mail
- Access NDPERS Member Self Service Guide: NDPERS Employee Guide
- Access Member Self Service: NDPERS Member Link
- View the health insurance premiums: Health Insurance Premiums
- Access the NDPERS Summary of Benefits and Coverage: Sanford Health Plan Benefit Summary
- Affordable Care Notice: ACA Notice
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Dental Insurance
There are no changes to the benefits provided under the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) dental plan for 2018. The premiums will be increasing 6.85% effective January 1, 2018. This increase equates to approximately $5.20 per month for an employee enrolled in the family plan.
If you are currently enrolled in dental insurance and want to continue the current level of coverage, no action is required. If you wish to make changes to your level of coverage, you will need to print the BCBSND application found below, complete it and turn it in to Human Resources by November 3.
BCBSND’s age limit for dependents is 26. You must complete the BCBSND dental application and return to Human Resources to remove ineligible dependents.
- View a summary of BCBSND Dental Insurance benefits: Summary of Dental Benefits
- View the 2018 BCBSND Premiums: Dental Premiums
- Print the BCBSND Dental Application: Dental Application Form
Avesis Vision Insurance
The current vision insurance plan through Avesis will be effective for a one-year period beginning January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. Current participants do not need to re-enroll. Your current level of coverage will remain in effect unless you complete an application to change or cancel your coverage. If you are not currently enrolled in vision insurance, you must complete the Avesis Vision Insurance Application in order to enroll for a one-year period beginning January 1, 2018. The only time changes are allowed to vision insurance during this one-year period is within 30 days of a qualifying event.
Avesis’s age limit for dependents is 26. You must complete the vision application and return to Human Resources to remove the ineligible dependent.
- View a summary of Avesis Vision Insurance Benefits: Avesis Vision Summary
- View the 2018 Avesis Premiums: Avesis Vision Premiums
- Print the Avesis Vision Application: Avesis Enrollment Form
Life Insurance
The premiums for Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance will remain the same for 2018. During the benefit fair, representatives from Premier Benefits Group will provide current enrollees with an individualized Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Statement. If you want to keep your current level of coverage, no action is required. If you are currently enrolled and would like to change your level of coverage, indicate the change you wish to make on your individualized Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Statement and return the completed form to Human Resources by November 3.
In addition, if you are enrolling in life insurance or are making any changes to the level of coverage for yourself, your spouse or your children, you must complete an Evidence of Insurability Form. This form must be returned directly to Mutual of Omaha. If you do not submit the Evidence of Insurability Form you will not be approved for life insurance. The only change that doesn’t require the completion of an Evidence of Insurability Form is for employees currently enrolled who increase coverage only by $10,000.
Mutual of Omaha must approve the request for Life Insurance prior to the coverage going into effect. Mutual of Omaha will mail an approval determination letter to the Human Resources Office and a copy of this letter will be forwarded to the employee.
Mutual of Omaha’s age limit for dependents is 26. You must complete the life insurance application and return to Human Resources to remove ineligible dependents when your youngest dependent reaches age 26.
- View a summary of the life insurance and premiums: Life Insurance Summary
- Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Application (If you are not currently enrolled): Life Insurance Application
- Print the Evidence of Insurability: Evidence of Insurability Form
Long-term Disability
The City continues to provide long-term disability benefits for eligible employees. The current long-term disability insurance provider is Lincoln Financial Group however we will be transitioning to Mutual of Omaha as our new provider. The elimination period will be reduced from 180 days to 120 days which is an enhancement to this benefit. The long-term disability premium is paid entirely by the City.
- View a summary of the current Long-term Disability Benefits Summary: Long Term Disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
The Flexible Spending Accounts provide an opportunity to set aside a portion of your salary, before taxes, to pay for qualified medical or dependent care expenses. The medical flexible spending account maximum is $2,600. The dependent care annual maximum is $5,000.
The Flexible Spending Accounts do not automatically renew so you will need to complete the web enrollment to participate by November 3.
- Summary on Flexible Spending Accounts: Flexible Spending Guide
- View instructions for Discovery’s on-line enrollment: Online Enrollment Instructions
- Access Discovery’s website for on-line enrollment: Discovery Benefits
Pension Plans
Contributions to City of Fargo Pension, NDPERS Pension, Police Pension and Fire Pension will remain at the current level in 2018.
Police Pension and City Pension statements are available upon request through the Finance office.
457 Plans
Review your current contribution level (see your personalized benefit statement). NDPERS Retirement participants should consider the PEP Provision when determining your contribution level. If you would like to enroll in a 457, the providers will be available at the benefit fair to assist you or you can contact Human Resources. If you are currently contributing to a 457 and want to change your contribution level, you will need to print and complete a 457 Deferral Change Form. You can enroll in a 457 and/or change your contribution at anytime throughout the year.
City of Fargo employees may also participate in a Roth 457 or a Roth IRA. Both of these plans allow participants to contribute to a plan on a post-tax basis. If you would like to enroll in a Roth 457 or a Roth IRA, providers will be available at the benefit fair to assist you or you can contact Human Resources.
- View list of 457 provider’s contact information: 457 Provider List
- Print the 457 Deferral Change Form: 457 Deferral Change Form
Payroll Calendar & Pay Scales
The 2018 Payroll Calendar and the 2018 Pay Scales which include the 2% wage adjustment approved in the Mayor's 2018 budget are included below.
- View 2018 City of Fargo Pay Scale: Pay Scale
- View 2018 City of Fargo Payroll Calendar: 2018 Payroll Calendar
- View 2018 FargoDome Payroll Calendar: 2018 FargoDome Payroll Calendar
Change of Address
If you need to update your address please complete a Change of Address Form and a W4 Form. If you move from state to state, please contact Human Resources to complete additional forms.
Deadlines
The deadline to complete your on-line enrollments and submit any applications/forms to the Human Resources office is November 3, 2017 at 4:30 p.m.