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Frequently asked benefit questions

Benefit statement

View your current benefits elections, including a list of currently covered dependents by logging into .

Medical and dental

What are my medical and dental plan options?
There are currently two medical plans to choose from: Kaiser, Kaiser Added Choice.

There are currently three dental plans to choose from: Willamette Dental, Kaiser and Metlife.

I am a Kaiser Added Choice member.  How do I find covered providers outside of Kaiser?
Kaiser Added Choice members may see non-Kaiser providers who are a part of the network (local) and network (national). 

When can I change from one medical or dental plan to another?
You can make changes to your medical and dental plans, including switching between plans and adding or dropping dependents, during the annual open enrollment window. Annual open enrollment is held at the beginning of November, with changes taking effect each January 1st.

What is open enrollment?
Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to review current benefit elections and make choices for the upcoming plan year, which starts in January. Please stay tuned for exact dates as we get closer to open enrollment. Choose to enroll, change from one medical or dental plan to another, add or remove dependents, or waive coverage.

What action do I need to take during open enrollment?
If you are not making any changes to your benefits and do not wish to participate in a flexible spending account, no action is required during open enrollment and all of your benefits will remain the same.
Action is required during open enrollment to:

• Enroll/re-enroll in a health care or child care flexible spending account (FSA)
• Switch between our available medical and/or dental carriers
• Add or drop coverage for yourself and/or qualifying dependents
• Waive medical coverage for the plan year (even if you have waived in previous years)

What does “core benefit” mean?
The core medical and core dental benefit is determined each year based on the lowest cost plan during that year.  This core plan is therefore subject to change each plan year. Currently, Kaiser is the core medical plan and Willamette Dental is the core dental plan.

How much does ºìÌÒÊÓƵ contribute towards the cost of my medical and dental plans?
ºìÌÒÊÓƵ currently pays 100% of the monthly cost for employee only coverage and 60% of the cost of dependent coverage of the core medical and dental benefits. In addition, for those in the Kaiser medical plan, ºìÌÒÊÓƵ will pro-rate two-party and family coverage for employees who would otherwise have to contribute more than 9.5% of their annual earnings for this coverage. Contact human resources to learn more about this program.

When can I change from one medical or dental plan to another?
You can make changes to your medical and dental plans, including switching between plans and adding or dropping dependents, during the annual open enrollment window. Annual open enrollment is held at the begining of November, with changes taking effect each January 1.

Where do I find information on what my medical and dental plans cover?
Go to the Medical plans page to view a summary of coverage. For more detailed information, read through the plan documents located on the bottom the medical and dental pages. For additional assistance or to request paper copies of benefit plan documents, contact human resources.

What if I have coverage elsewhere – can I waive ºìÌÒÊÓƵ medical and dental coverage?
Employees may choose to waive medical and/or dental coverage each year during annual benefits open enrollment.

How do I find out if my doctor or hospital participate in my health plan?
Kaiser and Regence members can look up providers using their websites. Willamette Dental members can visit dentists at Willamette Dental offices only. Most doctors offices will be able to tell you if you are covered under your ºìÌÒÊÓƵ plans if you provide them with your identification information off of your insurance ID card.

How do I add my newborn to my insurance?
Congratulations! Please complete this mid-year benefits change form and return it to HR within 31 days of the birth.

I just got married, how do I add my spouse to my insurance?
Congratulations! Please complete this mid-year benefits change form  within 30 days of marriage.

I lost my medical/dental insurance card.  How do I order a new one?
Call HR at 503-777-7255 or email hr@reed.edu.  HR will order you a new card.

Flexible spending account

What is the maximum I can elect to put into a healthcare flexible spending account?
The current annual maximum pre-tax contribution is $3,050.

What is the maximum I can elect to put into a dependent care flexible spending account?
The current annual maximum pre-tax contribution is $5,000.

What are eligible expenses for dependent care account dollars?
Dependent care flexible spending account dollars are used to reimburse you for out of pocket expenses for dependent care expenses, whether for a child or an adult.  This includes expenses for someone else to care for your dependent (under the age of 13 for children) so you may work.

How do I access funds in my healthcare or dependent care flexible spending account?
Healthcare account dollars can be directly accessed using your Allegiance debit card at the point of sale.  You can also access these funds by submitting a claim for reimbursement through the .  Dependent care dollars cannot be accessed through the debit card, but must be  submitted to Allegiance for reimbursement. 

Life insurance

How much life insurance do I have?
Benefit eligible employees are automatically enrolled in a ºìÌÒÊÓƵ paid group life insurance plan that is worth two times your annual ºìÌÒÊÓƵ wages. In addition to this insurance, you may elect supplemental life insurance and pay for it from pay check deductions.

How do I change my life insurance beneficiary designation?
You may change your beneficiaries at any time by completing a new beneficiary designation form and turning it into HR.

Disability

When can I submit a request for long-term disability benefits?
You can apply for long-term disability benefits if you have been unable to work due to a disability for six months or more. 

Retirement savings

How much does ºìÌÒÊÓƵ contribute to my 403b retirement account?
Once eligible, ºìÌÒÊÓƵ makes a monthly contribution in the amount of 10% of your earnings that month into your retirement account. In addition, you are also welcome to make your own pre-tax contributions.

How much can I contribute into my retirement savings account?
Per current IRS regulations, employees can contribute up to $23,000 annually in 2024. Employees age 50 and up can contribute an additional $7,500 annually, for a maximum annual contribution of $30,500.

Retiree medical

How long do I have to work at ºìÌÒÊÓƵ in order to qualify for the retiree medical program? Current employees qualify for retiree medical benefits after 20 years of service in a regular position of at least half-time.

What is the difference between an early retiree and a regular retiree?
Employees who retire before the age of 65 are considered early retirees. These employees can stay on ºìÌÒÊÓƵ medical benefit plans and continue with the same cost share as active employees. Once early retirees turn 65, they become regular retirees. Regular retiree are retirees age 65 and older. These retirees are medicare eligible and therefore medicare serves as primary medical coverage and the ºìÌÒÊÓƵ retiree medical programs offer funds to use to purchase Medicare advantage or supplemental plans.

Tuition remission

How do I apply for tuition remission?
Pick up an application from the business office or email business-office@reed.edu