Annual Enrollment - Wellness Credit & Spousal Surcharge Certification

Date: November 12, 2021
Type: AFA Article

Each year during the annual open enrollment, many Flight Attendants who are not making changes to their annual benefit elections, choose to default their health and wellness benefits to the same coverage from one year to the next.  In doing so, you may have missed some options that could save you money, by taking advantage of the plan comparison tools that are available as part of the annual process.  If you have compared plans, or wish to make a change, there is still time.  Open enrollment is available through November 19, 2021.

You may review and compare plan information and make changes by calling the Benefits Center (UABC).  Likewise, if you have a spouse or domestic partner, you can take advantage of this later open enrollment period to verify if their coverage may be more beneficial or, if splitting your coverage instead of including them on yours, is the right decision.  

As we mentioned earlier this month, there are some key items that you need to be aware of as it pertains to this year’s Benefits Open Enrollment:

  • You will default into a medical plan for 2022 as provided for in our Contract if you do not make an active election.   So, be sure to look at all your available options and ensure you are picking a plan that is right for you and your family.
  • Credits and surcharges on YBR will reset if you do not actively pick a plan during the Annual Enrollment even if you had previously adjusted themThis year, you must certify eligibility for the wellness credit and to avoid the spousal surcharge.
  • For those in San Francisco who are in the Kaiser Northern California plan that was previously provided at no cost, in the absence of an alternate election, you will remain in the Kaiser plan and will be charged the applicable premium. 

Each of our circumstances are different, but we encourage everyone, regardless of what coverage options you may have selected to take the opportunity to review your choices and make sure they make the most sense.  

For questions regarding open enrollment, you can contact the United Airlines Benefit Center at 1-(800)-651-1007 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday.

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