The 2025 Spotlight on Your Benefits will be emailed to your JMU email addresses. Please be sure to read the Spotlight thoroughly as this year features many enhancements to your existing health insurance coverage. You may also access Open Enrollment information through the  Department of Human Resource Management web page.

Para ver Spotlight en español, haga clic aquí

Enroll in Health Benefits Online with Cardinal Employee Self Service! 

The Cardinal Human Capital Management System (HCM) has an Employee Self Service feature, allowing you to make changes to your health benefits and FSA online.

• Login to Cardinal (you can find your Cardinal ID on the Employee tab in MyMadison)
• Click on Cardinal Human Capital Management (HCM)
• Select Benefits Details
• Select Benefits Enrollment and follow the instructions (available May 16-30)
• In Cardinal Employee Self Service, you may review your current health benefits record, update your personal information, and enroll or make changes to your health plan and/or membership. You may also enroll in one or both FSAs. Enroll online beginning May 16 but no later than May 30 at 11:59 p.m.

If you do not have online access, then complete the fillable Enrollment Form for Employees, and return to the JMU Benefits Team, second floor of the Wine-Price Building, no later than the close of business on May 30. The fillable health coverage form may also be sent through campus mail to MSC 7009, by fax to 540-568-7916, or by email to benefits@jmu.edu.  

Ask ALEX for Advice
Evaluate and compare health plan options with ALEX, your online benefits counselor! ALEX will use your input to let you know how the different health insurance plans work for you. Visit ALEX Benefits Counselor (myalex.com).

Earn Premium Rewards to Reduce Your Monthly Premiums!*
Premium rewards are reductions in health plan premiums for participants in the COVA Care and COVA HealthAware plans who complete a health assessment.  An employee and/or their enrolled spouse can reduce the premium by $204 annually ($17/month) or $408 annually ($34/month) for both employee and enrolled spouse if they fulfill the requirements to earn a premium reward.  Visit your plan’s website or mobile app to access your health assessment.  A step-by-step guide is provided to assist in completing your health assessment.  Complete or update your health assessment between May 16 and May 30.  Health assessments submitted before May 16 will not count for the new plan year!  Please keep a copy of your confirmation.

*The university reduces the amount of your health insurance premium by the premium reward amount.

Flexible Spending Accounts
As a reminder you must re-enroll each year to continue participating in flexible spending accounts. The maximum Health FSA contribution is up to $3,300/plan year. The maximum Dependent Care FSA is up to $5,000/plan year, depending on your tax filing status.

Aflac
Michael Glover, JMU's Aflac representative, will provide in-person meetings and individual phone conferences during open enrollment.  You may also email him directly at michael_glover@us.aflac.com.

Michael will be on campus in the Wine-Price Building during the following times:

For more information, please view Aflac's website.

Pierce
Pierce Insurance, the broker for the new Cancer Advocate Plus, Chubb LifeTime Benefit Term, pet insurance, legal and identity theft coverage, and home/auto insurance, will provide in-person meetings and individual phone conferences during open enrollment.  

A representative will be available on Wednesday, May 21 at the Facilities Management Annex Building from 6:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m.

Additionally, a representative will be in the Wine-Price Building on 

• Monday, May 19 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on the second floor
• Tuesday, May 20 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on the third floor
• Wednesday, May 21 from 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on the second floor
• Thursday, May 22 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on the first floor
• Friday, May 23 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on the second floor

Click here to schedule an appointment.

Contact Human Resources at 540-568-3593 or email benefits@jmu.edu with any questions concerning Open Enrollment.