2025 Open Enrollment and State of Florida Benefits
Benefits Open Enrollment for 2025 will offer eligible Valencia College employees more choices and more coverage as we transition into the State Group Insurance Program.
The State Group Insurance Program offers and manages a comprehensive package of health and welfare insurance benefits for eligible active and retired employees and their dependents, including health, dental, vision, life, and supplemental insurance plans and savings and spending accounts.
2025 Benefits Open Enrollment Dates
Monday, October 14 – Friday, November 1, 2024
Why Move Into the State Group Insurance Program Now?
In June 2024, House Bill 5101 was passed by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. This bill authorizes and mandates the participation of the 28 Florida College System (FCS) institutions, including Valencia College, in the State Group Insurance Program (SGIP).
In light of this, the college is preparing to transition employee benefits to the SGIP effective Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
Note: The FCS is actively collaborating with the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) on the transition process, and we are awaiting guidance on the final transition date.
Find the latest updates from The Juice employee newsletter.
Since the State Group Insurance Program offers different benefit carrier and plan options than your current Valencia College benefits, you will be required to actively enroll during open enrollment in order to have insurance benefits for 2025.
If you do not actively enroll during open enrollment, you will not have benefits for 2025. The state does not provide for any default benefit enrollment if you fail to actively enroll.
People First: A New Way To Enroll
With the transition to the State Group Insurance Plan, Valencia College employees will log on to People First ― the State of Florida’s online, self-service, secure web-based portal to enroll in benefits.
More information on how to log in to the portal will be sent to VC employees from the Department of Management Services in September.
New Benefit Plans and Options
The Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) is planning to release the 2025 Plan Year Benefits Guide and 2025 plan year updates to the myBenefits website in early September 2024. We will continue to update this page as we become aware of additional information.
In the meantime, you can access 2024 plan year insurance plans, coverage details, and employee premium rates for a preview of the state benefits.
Please keep in mind that the below links are for 2024 plan year information. DMS has advised us that they do not anticipate any employee premium changes for most of the 2025 plans, including health, dental and vision. However, there may be minor updates to the health plan out-of-pocket maximums.
Get info on the SGIP health and benefit plans and options.
Explore plan options to make an informed decision about your benefits.
Access all the state benefit plan webpages.
View short videos on the plan options in both English and Spanish.
Health Plan Options: PPO and HMO
The State offers multiple PPO and HMO options, including high-deductible health plan HSA options, for employee and family health insurance coverage:
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans provides coverage both in and out-of-network. You can self-refer to many specialists, and you have access to a nationwide network. Valencia’s current UHC Choice Plus and Choice Plus Premium plans are PPO plans.
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans covers only in-network services, except in certain emergency situations. You may be required to have a primary care provider and referrals to some specialists.
Start Exploring the Health Plans, Provider Networks and Pharmacy Benefits
Benefits Enrollment Events
Get prepared for open enrollment by attending these events.
One of the best ways to ensure you are prepared for the 2025 Benefits Open Enrollment is to participate in events that allow you to ask questions and learn more about your options and how to enroll.
Mark your calendar and plan to attend the following events:
Valencia College Benefits Tour
Join the HR benefits team for an upcoming Benefits Tour that will provide a high-level overview of your 2025 benefits and what steps to take to complete your benefits selections during the 2025 Benefits Open Enrollment. All sessions will be approximately 90 minutes in length.
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| October 01, Tuesday | 1pm | Zoom** |
| October 02, Wednesday | 3pm | East Campus, Building 8, Room 101 |
| October 03, Thursday | 9am | Zoom** |
| October 03, Thursday | 1pm | Zoom** |
| October 04, Friday | Noon | Osceola Campus, Building 1, Room 123 |
| October 07, Monday | 3pm | Zoom** |
| October 08, Tuesday | 3pm | Osceola Campus, Building 1, Room 123 |
| October 09, Wednesday | 1pm | Zoom** |
| October 10, Thursday | 11am | West Campus, HSB, Room 105 |
| October 10, Thursday | 3pm | West Campus, HSB, Room 105 |
| October 11, Friday | 9am | Zoom** |
| October 11, Friday | Noon | East Campus, Building 8, Room 101 |
*Attend a Benefits Tour and you will have a chance to win one of three, $100 Amazon gift cards. Make sure you log in to the Zoom session with your Valencia College Zoom account or sign in during the on-campus session
*Gift cards provided to employees of the college are considered cash equivalent items, and therefore, are taxable and will be added to W-2 earnings.
**Zoom: You may also participate via phone by calling: 1-646-931-3860
State of Florida Department of Management Services Benefit Fairs
Connect with healthcare providers, insurance vendors and more during this event, organized by the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), to learn more about your insurance and benefits options offered in the State Group Insurance Program.
DMS Benefit Fairs are held throughout the state and are open to all state, university and state college employees who are eligible to enroll in the State Group Insurance Program. Benefit Fair dates in our area are listed below.
| DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| October 14, Monday | 9am to 2pm | University of Central Florida 12715 Pegasus Drive, Pegasus Ballroom, Orlando |
| October 15, Tuesday | 9am to 2pm | Valencia College West Campus, Special Events Center, Orlando |
| October 16, Wednesday | 10am to 2pm | Florida Polytechnic University 4700 Research Way, Lakeland |
| October 17, Thursday | 9am to 2pm | Daytona State College 1200 W International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach |
| October 18, Friday | 9am to 2pm | Seminole State College 100 Weldon Blvd. C Building, Room 108, Sanford |
Contact HR4U
We are happy to help! Contact Organizational Development and Human Resources (ODHR) by phone on the HR4U helpline at 407-582-HR4U (4748). You can also reach us via email below.