What is the difference between Open Enrollment and Annual Enrollment?
Annual Enrollment is the period each year during which eligible employees and retirees may change health plans only. It is held each October. Open Enrollment is a period during which eligible employees, retirees, survivors and COBRA subscribers may enroll in or drop their own coverage and add or drop eligible dependents to/from a health plan without regard to any special eligibility situations. An open enrollment period is held every other year in October (2005, 2007, etc.) and enrollment changes become effective the following January 1. Benefits administrators in the Office of Human Resources are available to help with your annual/open enrollment during each October – please schedule your appointment early in the month by calling ext. 2273 or emailing HRhelp@winthrop.edu.
