open enrollment guide for COBRA participants

 2024 Open Enrollment Period: October 9 - 27, 2023

You are viewing open enrollment information for COBRA participants.

Decide

How to Enroll

How to use the GW Benefits Enrollment System:

  1. Read this guide and consider your benefit needs for 2024. If you are adding a new dependent* or beneficiary, please be sure to have their Social Security number, date of birth and address available to complete the enrollment process.
  2. Go online to go.gwu.edu/COBRA.
  3. Upon initial login to the new GW Benefits Enrollment System, you will be prompted to enter your username and password.
    • For COBRA Participants PRIOR to 08/01/2023
      • Username: LastName + YYYY of your date of birth (Ex. Smith1970)
      • Password: Your date of birth in the format of MMDDYYYY
    • For COBRA Participants AFTER 08/01/2023
      • Username: GWID
      • Password: Your date of birth in the format of MMDDYYYY
    • (You will be asked to change your password after your initial login). You will subsequently enter into the system.
  4. After log in, please click the "Enroll Now" button to begin.
  5. Once you've gained access to your account, confirm your personal data and review your benefit options.
  6. Follow the prompts to make your benefit elections. If you are not actively changing your coverage for 2024, confirm that the coverage currently in the system is correct.
  7. Review your confirmation statement for accuracy, and save a copy for your records.

* If adding a new dependent to coverage, supporting documentation must be received by Benefits by Friday, November 4, 2023. Remember, you can upload your documentation directly into the GW Benefits Enrollment System.

Manage Your Benefits Throughout the Year

The GW Benefits Enrollment System does more than capture your Open Enrollment choices. Throughout the year, you can use the system at go.gwu.edu/COBRA to find information to manage your benefits.

You can also find benefit summaries and costs, vendor contact information, Summary Plan Descriptions and more on the GW Benefits website, hr.gwu.edu/benefits.

Reminder: All of your eligible 2023 benefit elections (medical, dental and vision) will roll over into 2024. If you do not wish to make any changes, no action is needed; however, we recommend that you review your current elections to ensure they still provide the coverage you need. Please remember that changes made during this period become effective January 1, 2024.

If you have any questions during the Open Enrollment period, please contact the Benefits Call Center at (866) 365-2413.

Enrollment Deadline

October 27, 2023 is the LAST day to make changes for 2024.

Important: Open Enrollment is the only time you can make changes to your benefits or covered dependents unless you experience a qualified life event.

Important: During Open Enrollment, you can log on to the GW Benefits Enrollment System as often as you like through October 27, 2023. The elections on file as of the enrollment deadline will be your final coverage for 2024. The call center is available at (866) 365-2413 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET).