Benefits Annual Enrollment

Annual Enrollment for Benefits

Each year, annual enrollment is your chance to choose benefits or make changes that will be effective the following Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.

Annual enrollment period this year is October 1 - 13, 2023.

We encourage you to review your BlueCross BlueShield and Cigna network options each year. It’s important to note that for MOST benefits*, if you don’t want to make changes, you don’t have to do anything during Annual Enrollment. If you don’t make changes, you will be enrolled in the same plan options for medical, dental, vision, and short-term disability products you are enrolled in now.

*Most flexible spending accounts require you to enroll each year. Basic term life/basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance will change and you may want to take action. You are not required to enroll in health insurance. If you do not enroll, no premium dollars for health insurance will be deducted from your paycheck.

Go to the Partners for Health website and click How to Enroll in Your Benefits to add, remove, or make changes to your insurance coverage.



Benefits Webinars

Tune in when it’s convenient for you!

Our webinar studio will be on-demand this year

  • Annual Enrollment
  • Premiums
  • Voluntary benefits changes
  • Wellness program changes
  • Various vendor presentations

The recordings will be posted on a new annual enrollment webinars webpage by mid-September. You can watch at your convenience and then submit any questions you may have via the benefits support webpage. You can also live chat during business hours by using Green “Help” button at tn.gov/partnersforhealth. Benefits Administration business hours Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT.

Sick Leave Bank

Sick Leave Bank Enrollment Application

  • V:01:25 Formation and Operation of Staff Sick Leave Bank (TBR P-061): employee must have at least one year of service (12 months) and ninety (90) sick leave hours banked.
  • V:01:30 Formation and Operation of Faculty Sick Leave Banks (TBR P-060): employee must have at least one year of service (12 months) and sixty seven and one half (67.5) sick leave hours banked.

Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Benefits

If you choose to have a FSA account, you must re-enroll in your medical FSA, Limited Purpose FSA and Dependent Care FSA each year and choose how much money you put in your account during annual enrollment

Higher Education employees enroll in flexible benefits on the Optum website at Optumbank.com/Tennessee.

Find more information at tn.gov/PartnersForHealth under Other Benefits and Flexible Benefits.

Optum Financial 866-600-4984

Long Term Disability

New in 2024! Eligible state and higher education employees will be automatically enrolled in long-term disability option 3, and the state will pay 100% of the premiums. All sick leave, annual leave, and comp time must be used before benefits are payable. Find the MetLife disability handbook by going to Publications, under Disability Insurance on the Partners for Health website. You can also click on this link to the handbook. https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/finance/fa-benefits/documents/st_std_ltd_handbook_2023.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Jessup at 615-230-3591.