open enrollment guide for post docs

 The 2025 Open Enrollment that began October 7, 2024 and ended on October 25, 2024 at 8pm (ET) is now closed.

You are viewing the 2025 open enrollment information for Postdoc Associates and Scholars and their eligible dependents.

Voluntary Benefits

ID Theft Protection

GW Postdocs are eligible to enroll in identity protection as part of GW’s voluntary benefit offerings via Allstate Identity Protection. Allstate Identity Protection delivers a powerful approach to online privacy with unique tools and proactive monitoring that help you see your personal data, manage it with real time alerts, and protect your identity. Monitor your financial transactions, social media, and more. If fraud occurs, in-house experts fully manage restoring your identity.

You may enroll in or cancel identity protection at any time during the year. Coverage begins immediately after enrollment. Payments for this voluntary program are made directly to Allstate. Visit myaip.com/gw to enroll.
 

Pet Insurance

GW Postdocs can enroll in the My Pet Protection plans from Nationwide®, a voluntary benefit offering. The plan provides best-in-show coverage for vet bills, with plan offerings that cover 70 or 50 percent reimbursement for accidents, illnesses and much more. My Pet Protection will reimburse a straightforward 70 or 50 percent of your vet bill (depending on the plan selected) instead of using a benefit schedule. Pet insurance will continue to be offered as a voluntary benefit through Nationwide®.

You may enroll in or cancel pet insurance at any time during the year. Coverage will begin 14 days after enrollment. Payments for this voluntary program are made directly to Nationwide. Get a fast, no obligation quote today at petinsurance.com/gw. Or, by calling (877) 738-7874 and mentioning the George Washington University.
 

Auto and Home Insurance

GW is pleased to offer Group Home and Auto discounts, through Liberty Mutual. Participants receive preferred pricing on home and auto insurance packages, including discounts of up to 10 percent on auto and 5 percent on home, renters and condo insurance. For details, call (800) 298-8947 or visit libertymutual.com/gw-university (Client ID# 135234).
 

Legal Resources Plan

The Group Legal program, provided by Legal Resources® Plan, is designed to give you access to professional attorneys and provide protection against high legal fees.

You pay for coverage under this plan with after-tax contributions that you make through payroll contributions.

If you enroll in this benefit, you, your spouse / domestic partner and your qualifying dependent children will have access to a broad range of legal services covered under the monthly fee.

Any legal matter not fully covered will be at a 25 percent attorney fee discount, with one hour of free consultation. For more information and to identify network providers on the Legal Resources® Plan, visit legalresources.com.
 

Legal Resources®

  • Legal Resources® will choose a law firm from the Legal Resources® network closest to your home zip code. This exclusive network is made up of highly qualified law firms. Once your plan becomes effective, you may then call your law firm directly with your legal need. If you would like to change your law firm, call (800) 728-5768.
  • You may not cancel your membership in the plan until you have participated for at least 12 months.

For coverage details, please visit hr.gwu.edu/benefits.
 

Critical Illness

Critical Illness Insurance through Voya provides a lump-sum payment if there is diagnosis of an unexpected covered medical condition for you or an eligible family member. Claims and documentation of the medical condition that meet the policy and certificate requirements will need to be provided directly to Voya.

Critical Illness insurance will complement, not replace your medical coverage, and will be paid directly to you in addition to GW’s medical and disability benefits (if eligible and enrolled). You select your coverage amount from $10,000 or $20,000. Spouse/Domestic Partner coverage is also available in an amount equal to the selected employee benefit. Dependent coverage is available at 50% of the selected employee benefit. Additionally, covered plan participants receive an annual wellness benefit of $50 for completing an eligible health screening test.
 

Hospital Indemnity

With Hospital Indemnity Insurance administered by Voya, you’ll receive a fixed daily benefit if you or an eligible family member have a covered stay in a hospital, intensive care unit, or rehabilitation facility that occurs after your coverage effective date. You choose between the High or Low plan options and whether you wish to enroll eligible dependents. Benefit amounts are dependent on the type of facility and number of days of confinement. Claims and documentation that meet the policy and certificate requirements will need to be provided directly to Voya. No medical questions or tests are required for coverage.

Hospital Indemnity insurance is not health insurance and doesn’t replace your medical coverage; instead, it complements it. The benefit payments go directly to you to be used however you’d like rather than straight towards medical bills and treatments you may need. Choose this supplemental health insurance for added protection and to get yourself back on track financially should a covered hospitalization occur.
 

Other Benefits

You may be eligible for additional benefits based on your postdoc classification, please visit the GW Postdoc Benefits webpage for eligibility and plan details.