Employees encouraged to review, choose benefits before Nov. 6

Open Enrollment began Oct. 18 and closes Nov. 6.

“Employees told us in the last Benefits Preference Survey that they value choice in their health insurance benefits and that time off is important to them,” said Executive Director and Chief Human Resources Officer Brian Carter.

“We heard their need for flexibility, more support for child care and other resources that make it easier to balance life’s financial demands. Over the last several years, Sandia has both improved the benefits we provide and offered employees more options. And this year, we will continue to enhance employees’ already great benefits so they continue to meet their needs at all stages of life.”

What’s new for 2024 Open Enrollment

Sandia will continue to offer two medical plans: the Health Savings Plan and the Total Health PPO Plan. Three dental plans and three vision plans are also offered. Additionally, employees will see the following enhancements to their benefits lineup:

• Behavioral and mental health covered at 100% after deductible. For both the Health Savings Plan and the Total Health PPO Plan, in-network behavioral, mental health and substance abuse benefits will be covered at 100% after an employee meets their annual deductible.
• Vision plan reimbursement increase. For all three vision plans, out-of-network reimbursement will increase by $10 for eye exams, frames and lenses.
• Expanded Smart90 Pharmacy Benefits. For those employees covered by the health plans under Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico or UnitedHealthcare in 2024, the pharmacy benefit with Express Scripts will have an expanded Smart90 Program that allows members to receive a 90-day supply of their maintenance medications at any in-network pharmacy. Employees may contact Express Scripts at 877-817-1440 to verify that their medication qualifies.
• New autopay feature and vendor for the Health Reimbursement Account and Healthcare Flexible Spending Account. Beginning Jan. 1, participants in the Total Health PPO Plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico or UnitedHealthcare will have a new vendor, PayFlex, to manage their Health Reimbursement Account and Healthcare Flexible Spending Account. PayFlex will offer an autopay feature that automatically reimburses employees for medical, dental and vision services processed by their insurance plan. Employees who do not wish to use the autopay feature must opt out of this option during Open Enrollment.

What’s new for 2024 outside of Open Enrollment

Beginning in 2024, Sandia will offer employees the following new and enhanced benefits beyond what is being offered through this year’s Open Enrollment:

• New floating holidays. In addition to Sandia’s 11 observed holidays, there will be two new floating holidays (16 hours total) that employees can use during the year to celebrate any holiday or occasion that’s important to them, with prior manager approval.
• Increase to vacation time. Sandians will see an increase in vacation accruals starting their third, fifth, 10th, 15th and 20th year.
• $1,500 for child care needs. The Sandia Childcare Fund is a post-tax program, paid for by Sandia, that employees can use to offset the cost of eligible child care expenses.
• Expanded eligible expenses for the Lifestyle Spending Account. Beginning Jan. 1, the list of eligible expenses for the Lifestyle Spending Account will be slightly more expansive and will include items such as music subscriptions, meditation apps and salon and barber services.
• Expanded eligibility for Sandia’s 401(k) match. Eligible student loan payments will now count as 401(k) contributions and qualify for Sandia’s 401(k) plan matching contribution, up to the established maximum (66 2/3 cents of every dollar up to the first 6% of the employee’s eligible compensation). This includes the employee’s student debt and cosigned or parent loans.
• Represented employees should refer to their collective bargaining agreement to verify their benefit options.

View more information about the new and enhanced benefits for 2024 that are outside of Open Enrollment.

How to enroll

To enroll, visit HR Self Service and follow the prompts. To make their elections from home or a mobile device, employees need an HSPD-12 or mobile credential.

The elections employees make during Open Enrollment are effective from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024.

Resources to help employees choose

• 2024 Sandia Benefits Guide: A comprehensive summary of benefit options.
• An interactive Medical Plan Comparison Tool that asks a few questions to help determine which medical plan may be right for an employee.
• Medical, dental and vision plan comparison charts: Charts that detail the coverage available under each plan option.
• Monthly premiums for 2024: A table that shows monthly rates for medical, dental and vision options.
• Understanding Your Sandia Medical Plan Options video: Compares the Health Savings Plan and the Total Health PPO Plan.
• Open Enrollment Benefits website: Additional information about benefit options.