November 7, 2003

Employee benefits open enrollment begins

Open enrollment will be held at the MGH Nov. 3 to 23 for weekly and monthly paid employees. Open enrollment is the one time of year when benefits-eligible employees can enroll, change or add family members to their benefit plan. All additions and/or changes to the benefit plan will be effective Jan. 1, 2004.

Open enrollment packets — which include the MGH open enrollment newsletter, personal benefit summaries and instructions for enrollment — were mailed to employees' homes last week. Employees are encouraged to read the materials describing the changes to the prescription drug plan for 2004. Employees who want to keep their current benefit program and do not participate in a flexible spending account do not need to do anything. Otherwise, they will need to make changes using the enrollment tools.

The preferred method of enrollment is through eBenefits, a component of PeopleSoft Employee Self Service. Employees can access eBenefits by visiting https://ibridge.partners.org/getaccess. Employees also can make benefit selections by calling (800) 545-2869 using a touch-tone phone. A Spanish language option also is available by calling the same number. Employees will need to refer to their personal benefit summary when using either option.

For more information about MGH Open Enrollment, visit http://is.partners.org/hr/affiliates/mgh/MGHOE04/main.htm, call the Benefits office at (617) 726-8133, send e-mail to ibenefits@partners.org or visit one of the Human Resources Offices at White 14, 75 Blossom Court or CNY 149-7. Professional Staff can contact the Professional Staff Benefits Office at (617) 726-9267 or visit Bulfinch 126. There are several public computer terminal locations for employees to access eBenefits. Four terminals are located at 101 Merrimac St., 5th floor; one terminal is located at 75 Blossom Court; one terminal is located at CNY 149, 7th floor; one terminal is located at the Professional Staff Benefits Office; and four terminals are located at the Employee Access Center on Clinics 1.

MGHers are invited to stop by information sessions — called BeneFairs and QuickStops — to ask questions about various benefit programs. Below is a schedule.

Open Enrollment 2004 Benefair and QuickStop Schedule

Benefair Date: Nov. 6
Time: Noon to 4 pm
Location: CNY 149

Benefair Date: Nov. 7
Time: 7 to 9:30 am
Location: East Garden Dining Room

QuickStop Date: Nov. 7
Time: Noon to 1:30 pm
Location: MGH Chelsea

QuickStop Date: Nov. 12
Time: 1 to 2:30 pm
Location: Eat Street Café

QuickStop Date: Nov. 12
Time: 1:30 to 3 pm
Location: Mass General West

QuickStop Date: Nov. 13
Time: 9:30 to 11 am
Location: Somerville warehouse

QuickStop Date: Nov. 13
Time: 2 to 3:30 pm
Location: MGH Charlestown

QuickStop Date: Nov. 14
Time: 9 to 10:30 am
Location: MGH Back Bay

QuickStop Date: Nov. 15
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Location: Eat Street Café

Benefair Date: Nov. 17
Time: 2 to 6 pm
Location: Walcott Conference Rooms

Benefair Date: Nov. 19
Time: 9 am to 1 pm
Location: CNY 149

QuickStop Date: Nov. 19
Time: 11:30 am to 1 pm
Location: North End Community Health Center

QuickStop Date: Nov. 19
Time: Noon to 1:30 pm
Location: MGH Revere