Annual benefits enrollment period begins Oct. 30

Courtesy Nebraska Today
Courtesy Nebraska Today

NUFlex open enrollment, the annual period for employees to enroll in or make changes to University of Nebraska benefits plans, is Oct. 30 to Nov. 17.

For the second time in 10 years, health premiums for medical benefits will increase. The premium increase of 5.7 percent in 2018 is below a 10 percent increase predicted a year ago.

“Increases are never welcome news, but this increase — only the second since 2009 — is a favorable rate in today’s market, where health care costs are rising and the industry is changing rapidly,” Bruce Currin, associate vice president for human resources for the University of Nebraska, said in an Oct. 18 email to employees.

The smaller increase is due to lower-than-expected claims and efforts by employees to make good choices with their health.

Additional information about 2018 benefits, including detailed rates, will be emailed to university employees the week of Oct. 23. All NUFlex materials will be delivered via email.

The NUFlex open enrollment period is the only time university employees can make benefits package changes during the calendar year. Open enrollment is completed through the Firefly employee portal.

Due to a redesign of the Firefly portal, Human Resources will host several Open Enrollment Open Houses to assist employees. All sessions will be in the Canfield Administration Training Center, Room 316.

The enrollment open houses are:

  • 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 2
  • 1 to 4 p.m., Nov. 2
  • 8 to 11 a.m., Nov. 10
  • 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 13


Along with assistance navigating enrollment via Firefly, the sessions will also give employees an opportunity to discuss their unique needs and benefit coverage concerns with benefits office representatives.

Employees unable to attend an open house or who have additional questions about the enrollment period, should contact the campus benefits office at 402-472-2600 or in 32 Canfield Administration Building.

Nebraska Today