Below are the enrollment deadlines for new employees. You can also make changes after a Qualifying Mid-Year Event, or during Open Enrollment.
Complete list of Qualifying Mid-Year Events
Get details from the Virginia Department of Human Resources about qualifying events.
Open Enrollment
Health Care & FSA changes may be made each year during the annual Open Enrollment period.
When is Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment typically occurs in May-- exact dates are聽announced聽each year and emailed to employees.
What can I do during Open Enrollment?
During Open Enrollment you may:
- enroll in health benefits
- change plans
- add or remove family members*
- waive coverage
- enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA)
*Adding dependents to your health coverage requires supporting documentation for proof of eligibility. If you do not have the documents ready, do NOT miss the deadline! Add them now and submit documents later to聽benefits@odu.edu.
How can I enroll or submit changes?
You can submit your election requests online using聽.
What if I don't submit any changes?
As a reminder, you聽must re-enroll聽each year to continue participating in聽Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). No action is required if you: have no health plan-related changes, are not enrolling in an FSA, or do not plan to participate in Premium Rewards.
When will my enrollment changes start?
The fiscal year for Health Care and FSA is July - June, so your new plan(s) will begin聽July 1.
Cardinal Self Service
Log into聽聽to review your current health benefits record, update your personal information, enroll, or make changes to your health plan and/or enroll in a FSA.
New Users
All new users must register for Cardinal ESS with their聽Cardinal Employee ID, which was emailed to employees in April 2022. If you don't have it, follow聽these instructions聽to retrieve it.
Need Help?
The "Open Enrollment through Cardinal ESS Job Aid" is a step-by-step tutorial to help guide your benefit election process.
Premium Rewards
The Premium Rewards program allows an employee/retiree who is enrolled in COVA Care or COVA HealthAware to reduce their monthly premium by聽$17聽per month ($34 when combined with enrolled spouse) if they fulfill the requirements to earn a reward.
- Login and complete or update your health assessment within the designated dates.
- Please keep a copy of your confirmation.
COVA Care Members:聽Login at聽
COVA HealthAware Members:聽Login at聽
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