News & Announcements

2024 Open Enrollment

The 2024 open enrollment period will begin on November 1, 2023 and end on November 17, 2023. As with all recent open enrollment periods, all open enrollment activity will be on the Workterra benefits enrollment platform.  Workterra is fairly straightforward and you've likely used it in the past, but if you need help you can find a Workterra User Guide here.

Other items of note as you're reviewing your benefits experience in 2023 and making benefits choices for 2024:

  • Visit the virtual benefits fair website at www.exploreemployeebenefits.ri.gov for vendor videos, presentations and other informative material.
  • Make sure to have a chat with ALEX, the State's online benefits decision support program.  You may be familiar with ALEX from past conversations you've had with him, but this year there's a twist!  ALEX Go is now available alongside the traditional ALEX Benefits Counselor experience.  ALEX Go is an entirely text-based experience that discards with much of the entertaining educational discussion that ALEX engages in normally.  It's very quick and to-the-point, and its available in Spanish as well!  Access ALEX this open enrollment here - please note that ALEX officially launches on October 30, 2023.
  • In addition to the regular quarterly Benefits Lunch & Learn Webinar on October 26th, there will be a webinar on Tuesday, November 7th focused entirely on open enrollment.  The webinar will begin at noon.  Just click on the link below to join.  If you could not join the webinar don't worry, just head over to the Communications page for the recorded version after the webinar is complete.
    • 2024 Open Enrollment Webinar (Thursday, October 26, 2023)
      • This webinar will focus on the open enrollment period for calendar year 2024 and will cover benefits enrollment rules, general benefits overview, open enrollment resources, and open enrollment process.  The presentation will be followed by a Q & A session.
      • Webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82081926275 
    • 2024 Open Enrollment Webinar (Tuesday, November 7, 2023)
      • This webinar will focus on the open enrollment period for calendar year 2024 and will cover benefits enrollment rules, general benefits overview, open enrollment resources, and open enrollment process.  The presentation will be followed by a Q & A session.
      • Webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87467140150

2024 Health Plan Rates

Working Rates (100% full plan costs from which 15%, 20% and 25% coshares are determined)

2024 Co-Shares - Classified & Unclassified 26 Pay Period Employees

2024 Co-Shares - Classified & Unclassified 20 Pay Period Employees

2024 Co-Shares - RI Troopers Association & State Police Command Staff

Non-classified union & non-union employees working in higher education should refer to their college/university website (URIRICCCRI) for their co-share tables.


End of COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

During the pandemic, many temporary, expanded coverage changes were made to State of Rhode Island Anchor, Anchor Plus and Anchor Choice plans to help members access care. The state and federal COVID-19 public health emergencies ended on May 11, 2023.  Here's how this impacts State of Rhode Island Anchor Plan coverage:

  • COVID-19 vaccines
    • These will continue to be covered 100% as preventive services
  • Over the counter (OTC) tests
    • With/without a provider's order, no longer covered effective May 12, 2023
  • COVID-19 lab-based testing
    • With provider's order: covered 100% both in-network and out-of-network
    • Without a provider's order: not covered
  • COVID-19 treatment
    • 100% coverage for COVID-19 treatment ends effective May 12, 2023, and COVID-19 is covered like other health conditions
    • Any member cost-sharing (copay, deductible) will apply as usual
  • Telehealth
    • Coverage will return to standard plan design with member cost-sharing applicable for all telehealth services (both in-network and out-of-network) effective May 12, 2023

Questions about these changes should be directed to:

  • For medical coverage: BCBSRI State of Rhode Island Employee CARE Center at (401) 429-2104 or 1-866-987-3705.
  • For prescription coverage: CVS Caremark Customer Care at 800-552-8159

Rewards for Wellness 2023-2024

The 2023-2024 Rewards for Wellness program runs from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, and credit incentives will be delivered to employee paychecks in the first half of 2024.

Please review the 2023-2024 State of Rhode Island Rewards for Wellness brochure and visit the 2023-2024 Rewards for Wellness page for additional details and guidance. 


2023 Health Plan Rates

Working Rates (100% full plan costs from which 15%, 20% and 25% coshares are determined)

Classified and Unclassified 26 Pay Period Employees

Classified and Unclassified 20 pay period employees

RI Troopers Association & State Police Command Staff Coshares

Non-classified union & non-union employees working in higher education should refer to their college/university website (URIRICCCRI) for their co-shares.


Quarterly Lunch & Learn Benefits Webinars

The Office of Employee Benefits hosts quarterly webinars on various benefits-related topics.  All webinars are held during the 12pm - 1pm lunch hour, and no registration is required - simply click on the link below to join!  If you missed one don't worry, just head over to the Communications page for the recorded webinars!

 

Thursday, October 26, 2023

This webinar will focus on the open enrollment period for calendar year 2024 and will cover benefits enrollment rules, general benefits overview, open enrollment resources, and open enrollment process.  The presentation will be followed by a Q & A session.

Webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82081926275 

 

Thursday, January 18, 2024

This webinar will focus on the things to take note of as a new plan year begins. It covers the 2024 plan year reset – new deductibles, new out-of-pocket maximums, new FSAs and HSAs, and new wellness program details.  The presentation will be followed by a Q & A session.

Webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86764953778

 

Thursday, April 18, 2024

This webinar will provide a general overview of State of Rhode Island employee benefits, including core health benefits (medical/prescription, dental coverage, vision coverage) and supplemental benefits (life insurance, legal coverage, short-term disability insurance and deferred compensation). Additionally, there's a deep dive on health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts and dependent care spending accounts. The presentation will be followed by a Q & A session.

Webinar link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89655055715


Pick Your Person!

The choice is yours. The benefits are theirs. How your benefits are distributed after your death is entirely up to you, but you have to make your elections. This fall, please review and confirm your current beneficiary designations to be sure your choices are still accurate and up to date. To find out more about reviewing and designating your beneficiaries, visit the Naming Your Beneficiaries page of the virtual benefits fair. Please note that the Office of Employee Benefits does not keep beneficiary information on file for employees; each separate plan maintains its own information.