Open Enrollment is now closed.
The Human Resources team at Rice University is committed to providing university faculty and staff comprehensive information regarding benefits and other university services. Rice University offers a wide range of health and welfare benefits and several retirement options. These benefits are an important part of the total compensation package. Employees are encouraged to review all the information available via this website to determine how best to apply these benefits to individual and personal situations. POLICY 403 - Benefits Eligibility
To review the PDF versions of the Open Enrollment Guides for FY25 and FY24, please click the items listed below:
When enrolling in benefits, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer. Using a mobile device to enroll can be troublesome. If you need assistance with this, please plan to come to an in-person session (listed below), and we will have a device you can use to enroll onsite.
Enrollment assistance is available by calling 713-348-BENE (2363). Open Enrollment begins Monday, April 8, and will be open through Monday, April 22.
CapitalRx
ExpressScripts coverage and management will end on June 30. Effective July 1st, Rice University's new prescription manager will be CapitalRx.
What does this mean for you?
- All Rice employees will be receiving a new Aetna medical ID that will include the new prescription manager information.
- Any pre-authorizations that are currently in place with ExpressScripts will be transitioning to Capital Rx automatically.
- We will have a new formulary, so please check your medication(s) against the new list and plan accordingly with your physician(s).
- We will also have a new mail order medication program.
- Look for letters and a welcome packet coming soon from CapitalRx.
Please make sure to present your new ID card to the pharmacy when filling a new prescription, effective July 1st.
Contact information coming soon...
SupportLinc EAP
The University of Texas’ Employee Assistance Program (UTEAP) will end effective June 30th. Effective July 1st, Rice University will be working alongside SupportLinc EAP to provide support to faculty and staff.
At some point in our lives, each of us faces a problem or situation that is difficult to resolve. When these instances arise, SupportLinc will be there to help. The SupportLinc employee assistance program (EAP) is a confidential resource that helps you deal with life’s challenges and the demands that come with balancing home and work. SupportLinc provides confidential, professional referrals and up to ten (10) sessions of face-to-face counseling sessions for a wide variety of concerns, such as:
Anxiety • Depression • Marriage and Relationship Problems • Grief and Loss • Substance Abuse • Anger Management • Stress • Financial Assistance • Legal Assistance • Family Assistance
Contact information is coming soon...
Preparing for Open Enrollment
- Open Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions
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1. How to make changes after submitting open enrollment:
Return to iO, Me, Benefits, click on the “Make Changes" button, and click continue on the “People to Cover” page. Use the Pencil icon to edit your selections. That is the only way to access the enrollment area where your elections are housed. In the life insurance area, the first “edit” click provides access to the coverage. The second click on the same coverage opens the beneficiary designation area.
Any time you want to make a change or update a benefit, click the pencil/edit button.
2. People to cover:
People to cover are either people you want to cover under your insurance OR people you want to designate as beneficiaries on your life insurance coverage(s).
3. Beneficiary Organizations
Beneficiary Organization is an area where you can designate a trust to designate as a life insurance beneficiary.
4. Spousal and or Tobacco Surcharge
How to answer the surcharge questions:
Spousal
- If your spouse works and has access to coverage through their employer AND you are going to cover them on the Rice Medical Plan, click the Box next to Spouse/DP - Medical Coverage Surcharge.
- If your spouse does not work OR you are not going to cover them on the Medical Rice Plan OR they work and their employer does not offer coverage, click the box next to “I certify that my spouse/domestic partner (if applicable) is not eligible for an employer medical plan or I am not planning to add coverage for him/her on the Rice Plan.
Tobacco/Nicotine
- If you or your spouse smoke or use nicotine products, select the appropriate box for each who will be covered on the plan (you only, your spouse only, or you and your spouse).
- If you and/or your spouse do not use tobacco/nicotine products, click the box that says, “I certify that my spouse/domestic partner (if applicable) and I do not use tobacco/nicotine products.
- If you and/or your spouse use tobacco/nicotine products but are not enrolling in one of Rice's medical plans, click the box that says, “I certify that my spouse/domestic partner (if applicable) and I do not use tobacco/nicotine products.
You are responsible for reporting to benefits if the answers to the surcharge questions change during the plan year.
5. Long-Term Care
Continuing coverage: The Benefits Module does not hold your election for long-term care election, so your actual enrollment for that benefit does not show in the enrollment system. If you have long-term care today, it will continue with no action from you. You can tell if you have long-term care insurance today if you have a deduction for that benefit on your paycheck stub.
If you want to elect long-term care for the first time, clicking on the long-term care information on the enrollment site will take you to KnOWLedge Cafe, where you can view coverage offered, rates, and download an application. The application should be completed and either sent to UNUM, with a note to the Benefits team to let us know you have submitted an application or by sending your application to benefits, which we will forward to UNUM. Note: You will have to complete an Evidence of Insurability (EOI) if you are outside your initial 30-day benefit eligible period.
Continuing coverage but wanting a different election: Complete a new application for the new level of coverage you want to elect using the same instructions as above.
6. Individual Disability Insurance (IDI)
Note that not everyone is eligible for this coverage.
Continuing coverage: The Benefits Module does not hold your election for IDI, so your actual enrollment for that benefit does not show in the enrollment system. If you have IDI today, it will continue with no action from you. You can tell if you have IDI coverage today if you have a deduction for that benefit on your paycheck stub.
If you are eligible for IDI, you will be provided information in the fall about the offering and will be provided an opportunity to enroll or change your coverage.
For more information, please visit the Benefits Overview page.
- Open Enrollment Helpful Videos
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¿Cómo me inscribo en los beneficios?
Providing Documentation for my Benefits Enrollment and/or Qualified Life Event
- Open Enrollment In-Person Sessions
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Open enrollment in-person sessions are available on the following days and times in the Cambridge Office Building (COB) 1st floor and the Kyle Morrow room.
Day Date Time Location Session Monday April 8 8:00 am until 9:00 am COB 110 Morning Monday April 8 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm COB 110 Afternoon Wednesday April 10 8:00 am until 9:00 am COB 110 Morning Wednesday April 10 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm COB 110 Afternoon Monday April 15 8:00 am until 9:00 am Kyle Morrow Room Morning Monday April 15 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm Kyle Morrow Room Afternoon Wednesday April 17 9:00 am until 10:00 am Kyle Morrow Room Morning Wednesday April 17 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm Kyle Morrow Room Afternoon Friday April 19 8:00 am until 9:00 am COB 110 Morning Friday April 19 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm COB 110 Afternoon - Open Enrollment Zoom Sessions
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Open enrollment Zoom sessions are available on the following days and times:
To register, please click here.
Day Date Time Location Tuesday April 9 2:30 pm until 3:30 pm Via this Zoom link Monday April 15 10:00 am until 11:00 am Via this Zoom link Thursday April 18 11:30 am until 12:30 am Via this Zoom link
Enrollment assistance is available by calling 713-348-BENE (2363). Open Enrollment begins Monday, April 8, and will be open through Monday, April 22.
FAQ's
- Are rates changing?
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Yes, most employees will see a reduction in monthly premiums.
- When will Open Enrollment changes become effective?
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Changes made during open enrollment will be effective July 1st.
- Do I have to complete Open Enrollment if I am not making any changes?
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Open Enrollment is a good opportunity to review your current benefits and life insurance beneficiaries.
- Do benefits roll over if I don't complete Open Enrollment?
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The Health Saving Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) do not roll over. You will need to elect a new annual amount for your HSA and FSAs each year.
FSAs include:
Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) and the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA)
- Will I get a new ID card?
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Yes. All faculty and staff enrolled in a medical plan will receive new ID cards late June.
- Información en español
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¿Cuándo es la inscripción abierta?
La inscripción abierta comienza el lunes 8 de abril y termina el lunes 22 de abril.
¿Están cambiando las precios?
Sí, la mayoría de los empleados verán una reducción en las precios mensuales.
¿Cuándo entrarán en vigor los cambios en la inscripción abierta?
Los cambios realizados durante la inscripción abierta entrarán en vigencia el 1 de julio.
¿Tengo que completar la Inscripción abierta si no estoy haciendo ningún cambio?
La inscripción abierta es una buena oportunidad para revisar sus beneficios actuales y los beneficiarios de su seguro de vida.
¿Se transfieren los beneficios si no completo la Inscripción abierta?
La Cuenta de Ahorros para la Salud (HSA) y las Cuentas de Gastos Flexibles (FSA) no se transfieren. Deberá elegir un nuevo monto anual para su HSA y FSA cada año.
¿Obtendré una nueva tarjeta medica?
Sí. Todos los profesores y el personal inscrito en un plan médico recibirán nuevas tarjetas medicas a finales de junio.