Annual Benefits Open Enrollment Period
**The information below is subject to change prior to the open enrollment period beginning.**
This year's annual benefits open enrollment period is October 1 through October 18. Changes made during this period will become effective January 1, 2025. Follow this link to see the State of Tennessee's 2025 Annual Enrollment Newsletter. This is a passive enrollment, meaning that if you make no changes, your current benefits will carry over to the next year (with the exception of your flexible spending accounts, which must be renewed each year).
The State of Tennessee's insurance system is called Edison.
To access Edison, you may use your UofM credentials to be transferred to Edison automatically. Just visit memphis.edu/edison and enter the same username and password you use to access the MyMemphis portal. (You may ignore any automated e-mails you receive from Edison about expiring passwords since the UofM uses single sign-on.) In Edison, there are no paper enrollment forms.
Once you have accessed Edison, a guide to making changes is available online. If you have questions regarding the use of Edison, please contact the Edison Help Desk at 1.866.376.0104.
You are encouraged to login and review your current coverage to verify that your selections are accurate. For 2025, health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 5.5% for active members. Premiums are increasing due to general inflation and the increased cost of delivering health care. Specific premium increases will vary slightly depending on the health plan, network and coverage tier you choose.
There are no vendor changes for 2025. All member health plan cost sharing, such as deductibles or coinsurance, will stay the same except for the following three changes:
- A third non-preferred brand drug specialty tier will be added to the Preferred Provider Organization options. Pharmacy benefits currently have two cost-sharing tiers for specialty medications - generics and brands.
- The copay for Talkspace will be lowered to $15 for the PPO options. Talkspace lets members communicate with a therapist by audio or video from a smartphone or desktop. Currently, Talkspace visits under a preferred provider organization, or PPO, plan cost the same as an in-network primary care office visit.
- For CDHP plan members, anti-obesity medications will no longer be on the preventive drug list for the Consumer-driven Health Plan option in 2025. Members enrolled in this plan will be subject to their plan’s deductible before plan coverage begins for anti-obesity medications including, but not limited to, Qsymia, Wegovy, Zepbound and Saxenda.
For a list of benefit plans & their changes for 2025, along with links, forms, and instructions on how to make changes, click on the first button below.
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Free Flu Shots
On-campus flu shots are available on campus for 2024. These shots will be for flu only, and will not include pneumonia or COVID-19.
| Campus | Date | Time | Location | Appointments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Campus | October 2, 2024 | 11am-1pm | UC Iris Room | Prior appointments are not necessary; walk-in service is available. NOTE: Please bring your insurance card to the shot location or risk paying a $35.00 fee. |
| Lambuth Campus | Flu shots will not be offered at the Lambuth site. Please visit your local pharmacy or health provider. | |||
Information Sessions & Frequently Asked Questions
The Human Resources staff will be hosting a number of virtual information sessions to introduce and answer questions about the available benefit plans being offered by the State. A number of sessions for all employees will be held according to the schedule below. Please visit the links below to attend a session.
In addition, the HR Senior Business Partners are available to coordinate meetings with their various departments as requested. To request a meeting with your area's Business Partner, please e-mail hrbusinesspartners@memphis.edu. THESE REQUESTED SESSIONS FOR SPECIALIZED AUDIENCES WILL NOT APPEAR IN THE LIST BELOW.
| Date/Time | Format & Link | Audience |
|---|---|---|
| September 20, 2024, 2-3pm | Via MS Teams (no registration necessary) | All sessions are open to all benefit-eligible employees |
| September 24, 2024, 10-11am | Via MS Teams (no registration necessary) | |
| September 30, 2024, 2-3pm | Via MS Teams (no registration necessary) | |
| October 8, 2024, 10-11am | Via MS Teams (no registration necessary) | |
| October 11, 2024, 2pm-3pm | Via MS Teams (no registration necessary) | |
| October 17, 2024, 10am-11am | Via MS Teams (no registration necessary) |
Benefits Fairs/Help Guides
This year, the UofM will host an in-person Benefits Fair for the UofM main campus and for the Lambuth campus in Jackson, TN.
| Benefits Fair Site | Date/Time (CT) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Main Campus | Oct. 2, 2024 (10am-2pm) | UC Ballroom |
| Lambuth Campus | Oct. 3, 2024 (11am-2pm) | Varnell Jones Hall |
In addition, the State of Tennessee has created an online help guide to disseminate information about this year's open enrollment. The State also features a series of videos and informational recordings for your convenience.
Directories and Handbooks
Directories: Each of the health carriers has made their provider network directories available online. You can find the most up-to-date information by calling member services or doing an online search. Please follow the links through each of their Web sites to use the online directories.
- BlueCross BlueShield: Online Search (select Network S - narrow network, or Network P - broad network)
- Cigna: Online Search (select LocalPlus - narrow network, or OpenAccess - broad network)
- Cigna Dental (Prepaid Dental Plan): Follow the instructions found here when searching for an in-network dentist.
- Delta Dental (DPPO)
Handbooks: Handbooks for each of the health and dental plans are available online.