In collaboration with our benefits partners, Drake Human Resources hosted in-person and virtual benefits overview sessions on Nov. 18. Our speakers provided an overview of what remains the same and what has changed and fielded questions from those in attendance. The virtual session was recorded, and you are welcome to watch that session. Find the video link and presentation slides on our internal Benefits page under “2023 Open Enrollment Information.”

With only a little over a week left of Open Enrollment, we hope that you have had opportunities to ask questions, review changes and enhancements being made to benefits for plan year 2023 and completed your benefits enrollment in the online benefits portal.

If you have not yet done so, we urge you to complete this process ahead of the November 30 deadline. This is a once-a-year task that warrants time and care. Procrastinating is like tempting fate—you may get busy, you may forget, there could be a technological glitch.

If you were unable to attend either of these informational sessions and have questions, please reach out to drakehr@drake.edu or Marlene directly at marlene.heuertz@drake.edu. As with the enrollment process, if you have questions, we urge you not to delay in seeking answers. We are happy to assist you. However, if everyone waits until the end of the month to ask questions, getting back in a timely manner becomes a challenge.

Important Reminder about FSAs: Your enrollment in an FSA does not automatically continue from year-to-year. If you want to participate in Drake’s FSA plans during 2023, you must make a new election during Open Enrollment this month. If you forget to enroll or re-enroll, you will not be able to enroll once Open Enrollment has closed (these are Plan rules, not Drake HR rules). For more FSA details, review the Oct. 31 OnCampus on FSAs here.

— Marlene Heuertz and Maureen De Armond, Human Resources