Rice University is gearing up for its annual open enrollment period, running from April 8 through April 22. Open enrollment is the one time of year that benefits-eligible employees can add, make changes, or cancel benefits without a qualified life event. Faculty and staff are empowered to use this time to review and adjust their benefits to suit their needs for the upcoming fiscal year, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, health saving account, and flexible and dependent spending accounts.
Amidst an increase in healthcare costs this year, Rice is prioritizing employee well-being by enhancing its investment in medical and dental benefits so most employees will pay less for their insurance. The university will cover an average of 78% of medical insurance premiums, up from 76%, saving employees an average of $222 annually. Additionally, the university will cover 25% of dental insurance premiums for those earning $40K or more per year, up from 0%, and will maintain coverage of 50% for those earning less than $40K annually. Additional information regarding rates and plan details can be found in the 2024-25 Enrollment Guide.
Rice Fest
Save the date for Rice Fest on Tuesday, April 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Grand Hall! This lively annual event offers a chance for faculty and staff to explore Rice’s comprehensive benefit offerings firsthand. Attendees can meet with benefit providers and Rice departments to get answers to their questions and learn more about any changes on the horizon. Returning favorites to the event include vendor giveaways, cookies, beverages, and chair massages.
Annual Benefits Check-Up
Just like routine health check-ups, faculty and staff need to review their benefits annually and make updates as needed for the new fiscal year.
Get Personalized Assistance
For help in navigating their benefit options or completing open enrollment, Human Resources offers various resources to assist faculty and staff:
- Instructional videos and step-by-step guides in English and Spanish about the enrollment process are available on the Open Enrollment webpage.
- Virtual and in-person sessions with the benefits team will be held throughout open enrollment. Session schedules can be found on the Open Enrollment webpage.
- One-on-one personalized assistance is available by contacting the benefits team at 713-348-BENE (2363) or submitting a service request in iO under "Open Enrollment."