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The Open Enrollment Period is a designated time of year where employees are able to freely enroll in or change their selection of a health insurance plan and other benefit programs that are ordinarily subject to restrictions [aka "at will" elections]. Outside the Open Enrollment Period, employees can change their benefit elections only if they apply within 30 days of a qualifying event (marriage, birth, death, divorce, cancellation of previous coverage, etc.). Therefore, your attention to this information and the deadline of October 31st is very important; your next opportunity to change your benefits "at will" will be October 2027.
This year’s Open Enrollment is again electronic, whereby all information and forms are found online within these webpages.
In all instances, employees should refer to their specific collective bargaining unit agreement to identify and understand what benefits they are eligible to receive. A summary of benefits by employment contract can be found on the Benefits/Benefits by Contract webpage
2027 Flex Spending Elections = $0 (you may still use any 2026 roll over Healthcare FSA funds if you are still an active employee)
Aflac Policies will continue for 2027
Healthcare Policy election will continue for 2027 (premium rates change every January)
Waiver Program election will continue for 2027 (updated Family documentation may be requested)
2027 Flex Spending Accounts - You must elect to join electronically for 2027 using the Adobe Sign web form
Aflac Voluntary Supplemental Policies - You must meet with representative for new enrollments, to change a policy or to cancel a policy
Healthcare Policy - You must fill out transaction forms for new enrollments, to change dependents or to cancel your policy
Waiver program = You must fill out form for new enrollments or to change your waiver level
Healthcare 2027 FSA Limit is $3,500 (projected) - WEBPAGE
Sign up for a HealthEquity Learn More Flex Spending Video
For 2027 funds, you MUST re-enroll during Open Enrollment SIGN UP HERE
Dependent Care 2027 FSA Limit is $7,500 per married couple - WEBPAGE
There is NO Dependent Care FSA fund rollovers - USE IT or LOSE IT
Sign up for a HealthEquity Learn More Dependent Care Video
For 2027 funds, you MUST re-enroll during Open Enrollment SIGN UP HERE
How to sign up for online access to your HealthEquity account
TWO WAYS TO ENROLL FOR 2027
File electronically through the Benefits Department through 10/31/26 - a copy will be automatically emailed to you and the Benefits Department when completed (that's your proof of enrollment, so keep it)
File electronically with an AFLAC Representative RESERVE A 20-MINUTE APPOINTMENT (coming soon)
The same electronic form will be used but the AFLAC rep can assist you with the election amount that is best for you
Don't leave your appointment without receiving the emailed confirmation - PAPER COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
AFLAC Support Webpage - Click Here
4-minute audio explanation of the policies
Plan Options
Prices
RESERVE YOUR 20 MINUTE APPOINTMENT - Speak in person to an AFLAC representative about costs and your personal situation
Sign up for your 2027 Flex Savings Account [preferred: SIGN UP HERE WITH THE BENEFITS DEPARTMENT]
View the Cheat Sheet for how to submit claims
Building Dates
District Office Wednesday, October 14
Transportation / Facilities Friday, October 23
High School East Tuesday, October 27 & Thursday, October 29
High School West Thursday, October 15 & Tuesday, October 20
Candelwood Middle School Thursday, October 22 & Monday, October 26
West Hollow Middle School Wednesday, October 28 & Friday, October 30
Otsego Elementary Wednesday, October 14
Paumanok Elementary Monday, October 19
Signal Hill Elementary Friday, October 9
Sunquam Elementary Tuesday, October 13
Vanderbilt Elementary Thursday, October 8
If you can't get an appointment, contact your Aflac agent directly. If you do not remember your agent's name or contact information, email mybenefitsagent@gmail.com to be connected. Please make sure your message includes the following, or you will not receive a response.
Half Hollow Hills School District (THIS NEEDS TO BE IN THE SUBJECT LINE.)
Your First and Last Name
School or Building Location
Healthcare Enrollment, Cancellation & Changes - WEBPAGE
Visit the Healthcare webpage to compare plans or view (print double sided) the INFO - Healthcare Comparisons below to determine which plan you would like to sign up for - these also includes monthly costs and comparisons of the plans
2027 NYSHIP Empire Plan rates will be posted HERE when available. If increases for 2027 are too high for you, it is best to enroll now and rescind your application prior to December 1, 2026.
Already know which plan...
Scan & submit securely using Adobe Acrobat Sign **- will walk you through needed documents**
Print out double sided the PACKET - Empire Plan Enrollment Forms for NYSHIP/Empire coverage (see "Where & How to submit paperwork" below)
Print out double sided the PACKET - HIP Plan Enrollment Forms for HIP/Emblem Health coverage (see "Where & How to submit paperwork" below)
If you enroll in the healthcare waiver payment plan, you must CANCEL your coverage by completing the enrollment form.
If you cancel your healthcare policy, be sure to also enroll in the Healthcare Waiver Payment Program (this is not automatic)
NOTE: If adding members of your family, you will need to include copies of the following:
Birth Certificates for all dependents
Marriage Certificate and Spouse's Birth Certificate, if covering spouse
Page 1 from your latest tax filing (1040 or IT-201) if you have been married over 1 year. This is also used to confirm the SS numbers; you can redact income information.
If you anticipate a change in 2027, email benefits@hhh.k12.ny.us for assistance in completing the healthcare waiver or transaction forms.
REMINDER - if you have a qualifying event anytime during the year, you can change your healthcare election up to 30 days after the event
Submit all paper forms to: HHH Employee Benefits Department via:
the Adobe Acrobat link for NYSHIP applications - this is THE BEST option because it will walk you through what you need to include with your application
regular mail to Central Office Building (525 Half Hollow Rd, Dix Hills, NY 11746)
interoffice mail to "BENEFITS"
via scan/email to benefits@hhh.k12.ny.us
drop of to Central Office in a sealed envelope marked BENEFITS – the front door attendant will place it in our mailbox for interoffice delivery
- Please be patient and, if necessary, follow up before the end of October to ensure that they have been received.
HHH Healthcare Waiver Program for 2027 - WEBPAGE
Employees who received a 2026 waiver payment will continue in the program
If you have a change, hired during 2026, or are not already in the waiver program,
Submit a NEW or UPDATED Healthcare Waiver WEB Form before October 31; paper forms are no longer being accepted.
2027 Waiver Payments are scheduled according to bargaining unit contracts. Please review your contract for more information.
Waiver Levels
Voluntarily cancel/waive family health insurance [FAMILY WAIVER]
For married employees or employees with children under age 26 *
Do not elect healthcare with the District
Voluntarily switch/maintain individual coverage when eligible for family coverage [PARTIAL WAIVER]
For married employees or employees with children under age 26 *
Have elected Individual coverage with the District
Voluntary cancel/waive individual health insurance coverage [INDIVIDUAL WAIVER]
For unmarried employees without children under age 26
Do not elect healthcare with the District
* Family documentation is either a copy of page 1 from your latest tax filing (showing filing status, income redacted) or the birth certificate of your youngest child under age 26.
Possible reasons for change:
IF you are eligible for Family Coverage but only taking Individual Coverage, you may be eligible for a PARTIAL Health Insurance Waiver
IF you dropped (or reduced) healthcare during 2026 or will drop on or before January 1, 2027
IF you are a new employee eligible for health insurance or a waiver, but not signed up for healthcare with Half Hollow Hills
IF you are updating your waiver status from INDIVIDUAL to FAMILY due to marriage or the birth of a child
NOTE: Picking up healthcare during the year may require payback for a portion of the annual waiver payment when these waiver payments are made in advance.
If you anticipate a change in 2027, email benefits@hhh.k12.ny.us for assistance in completing the healthcare waiver or transaction forms.
REMINDER - if you have a qualifying event anytime during the year, you can change your healthcare election up to 30 days after the event
**NEW** Scan & submit NYSHIP applications using Adobe Acrobat Sign **NEW**
Submit all paper forms to: HHH Employee Benefits Department via:
the Adobe Acrobat link for NYSHIP applications - this is THE BEST option because it will walk you through what you need to include with your application
regular mail to Central Office Building (525 Half Hollow Rd, Dix Hills, NY 11746)
interoffice mail to "BENEFITS"
via scan/email to benefits@hhh.k12.ny.us
drop of to Central Office in a sealed envelope marked BENEFITS – the front door attendant will place it in our mailbox for interoffice delivery
- Please be patient and, if necessary, follow up before the end of October to ensure that they have been received.
NOTE - The Waiver Form and Flex Spending Form are ELECTRONIC ONLY and will not be process if sent to the Benefits Department
HHHTA Members & Paraprofessionals - The Teachers' Association holds Open Enrollment during November
TRS Prep Seminar Schedule - CLICK HERE
Memos to those eligible will be send and distributed mid-October directly from the HHH Teachers' Association
Teachers, Nurses, OT/PT & Paraprofessionals can elect/change/cancel Vision effective January 1st
HHHTA Members can elect/change/cancel Dental benefits "at will" as of January 1st
Contact HHHTA directly at office@hhhta.com to ask questions about enrollment or if you did not receive a flyer in your building mailbox by October 26th.
Update beneficiaries on your District paid Life Insurance Policy (if eligible). HHHTA Members have a different Beneficiary Form
It's best to submit a new one in lieu of assuming who you put down when you were hired - Keep a copy for your records.
Sign up or make changes to your NYSaves 529 Plans directly on the www.nysaves.org website and submit your payroll authorization form to The HHH Benefits Department
Make changes to your Retirement Savings - OMNI 403 (pre-tax or ROTH) and/or NYS 457 (pre-tax or ROTH)
The District does not employ 403b brokers and none are exclusively approved by Half Hollow Hills [regardless of what is communicated to you via email or phone] nor are they permitted to meet with employees in District buildings. We have contracted with OMNI to manage our 403b transactions via approved firms that work with OMNI - the brokers are individual agents of those firms. This is YOUR money for YOUR future; make sure you know who your broker is (better yet, that your broker knows you) so that you can withdraw YOUR money when you are ready for it.
Order additional NYSHIP cards HERE - complete the Google form and I will get them mailed directly to you by NYS Civil Service
Change your Payroll Tax Withholding - speak with your tax professional about the best way to fill out the W-4 or IT-2014 for your family/income/marital situation.
Change your Direct Deposit