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Welcome to the Employee Benefits Open Enrollment Period which runs throughout OCTOBER 2025 (ends FRIDAY, October 31, 2025). All changes will become effective JANUARY 1, 2026
Welcome to the Employee Benefits Open Enrollment Period which runs throughout OCTOBER 2025 (ends FRIDAY, October 31, 2025). All changes will become effective JANUARY 1, 2026
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 2026.
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
DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT ARE LINKED AND
DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT ARE LINKED AND
ALSO POSTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
ALSO POSTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
NON ACTION ITEMS (If you do nothing)
NON ACTION ITEMS (If you do nothing)
2026 Flex Spending Elections = $0 (you may still use your 2025 roll over Healthcare FSA funds) You must elect to join each year.
Aflac Policies will continue for 2026
Healthcare Policy Election will continue for 2026 (premium rates change every January)
Waiver Election will continue for 2026 (updated Family documentation may be requested)
ACTION ITEMS (more information below)
ACTION ITEMS (more information below)
2026 Flex Spending Elections - You must elect to join for 2026 using below web form or meet with AFLAC.
Aflac Policies - You must meet with representative for new enrollments/change/cancel
Healthcare Policy - You must fill out transaction forms for new enrollments/change/cancel
Waiver program = You must fill out form for new enrollments/change/cancel
Healthcare 2026 FSA Limit is $3,400 (projected)
Sign up for a HealthEquity Learn More Flex Spending Video
For 2026 funds, you MUST re-enroll during Open Enrollment
Dependent Care 2025 FSA Limit is $7,500 per married couple (projected)
There is NO Dependent Care FSA fund rollovers - USE IT or LOSE IT -
Sign up for a HealthEquity Learn More Dependent Care Video
For 2026 funds, you MUST re-enroll during Open Enrollment
Additional information on Flex Spending Accounts (FSA plans) is HERE
How to sign up for online access to your HealthEquity account
TWO WAYS TO ENROLL FOR 2026
File electronically through the Benefits Department through 10/31/25 - 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
The same electronic form will be used but the AFLAC rep can assist you with the election amount that is best for you
- Aflac Voluntary Supplemental Benefits - Enroll/Change/Cancel Only
Sign-Up / Change / Cancel AFLAC Supplemental Policies - 10/1 - 10/30 only
4 minute explanation video (Accident / Hospital / Short Term Disability/Cancer Care/FSA)
Employee comments
View new policy rates & benefit details
RESERVE YOUR 20 MINUTE APPOINTMENT - Speak in person to an AFLAC representative about costs and your personal situation
Each person that makes an appointment can enter a raffle
Sign up for your 2026 Flex Savings Account (see above for more details)
View the Cheat Sheet for how to submit claims
Healthcare Election and/or Waiver Program
Healthcare Election and/or Waiver Program
First time election and Changes ONLY for employees eligible for healthcare
Healthcare Enrollment, Cancellation & Changes
Select the Healthcare 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
2026 NYSHIP Empire Plan rates will be posted HERE when available. If cost for 2026 is an issue, it is best to enroll now. You would be able to rescind your application prior to December 1st.
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 are enrolled in the healthcare waiver payment payment, you will be automatically removed for 2026
If you cancel your healthcare policy, be sure to also enroll in the Healthcare Waiver Payment Program
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.
HHH Healthcare Waiver Program for 2026
Employees who received a 2025 waiver payment will continue in the program
If you have a change or are not in the waiver program,
Submit a NEW or UPDATED Healthcare Waiver WEB Form before October 31; paper forms are no longer being accepted.
2026 Waiver Payments are scheduled according to bargaining unit contracts. Please review your contract for more information.
PARAS: If you have a change or are not in the program,
Submit a NEW or UPDATED Healthcare Waiver WEB Form for PARAs before October 31; paper forms are no longer being accepted.
The first half 2025 Waiver Payments are scheduled for the 2nd payroll in July. See the description of how the Paraprofessional waiver program is administered.
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 2025 or will drop on or before January 1, 2026
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 will require payback for a portion of the annual waiver payment because these waiver payments are made in advance. This statement does NOT apply to Paraprofessionals since your payments are for the prior 6 month period.
If you anticipate a change in 2026, 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
Where & How to submit paperwork
Where & How to submit paperwork
**NEW** Scan & submit NYSHIP applications securely using Adobe Acrobat Sign **NEW**
Submit all paper forms to: HHH Employee Benefits Department via:
regular mail (525 Half Hollow Rd, Dix Hills, NY 11746)
interoffice mail to "BENEFITS"
via scan/email to benefits@hhh.k12.ny.us
The Adobe Acrobat link for NYSHIP applications is a better option and will walk you through the process
drop of to Central Office in a sealed envelope marked BENEFITS – the front door attendant will place it in my mailbox
- Please be patient and, if necessary, follow up before the end of October to ensure that they have been received.
HHHTA Members & Paraprofessionals - The Teachers' Association holds Open Enrollment during November
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 28th.
You can do the Following ANY time of the year (click to expand)
You can do the Following ANY time of the year (click to expand)
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 BENEFITS
Make changes to your Retirement Savings - 403b, 457b or 457 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
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