Learn How to Update, Change, or Enroll in Your Benefits

You can access ESS through PeopleSoft at https://ess.dc.gov on your work computer or any computer with an internet connection.

Hybrid Open Enrollment Benefits Fair Schedule

What's New for 2023

Find out what you need to know about the 2023 benefits changes before enrolling in or changing your benefits this year.

457(b) Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan Contribution Limits: The 2023 elective deferral limit for 457(b) plans is $22,500. The 2023 Age 50 Catch-Up Limit is $7,500 ($30,000 total) and the Pre-Retirement Catch-Up Limit is $22,500 ($45,000 total). Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 18, 2022.
 

Health Care FSA Contribution Limit: The 2023 pre-tax contribution limit for Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSA) is $3,050. Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 18, 2022.
 

Commuter Benefit Contribution Limit: The 2023 maximum monthly pre-tax contribution limit for mass transit and parking is $300. Deductions start with the pay period that begins on December 18, 2022.
 

Health Savings Account Contribution Limit: For participants enrolled in the Aetna CDHP with HSA, the 2023 pre-tax contribution limit for Health Savings Accounts (HSA) is $3,850 for individual coverage and $7,750 for family coverage. Please see the Aetna CDHP with HSA plan documents page.
 

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Rollover Information for Flexible Spending Accounts

Good news! Benefit Resource Inc. participant survey results have led to a change, where they will rollover 2022 Health Care FSA funds sooner than the usual May rollover date. This allows participants to access funds sooner on their FSA Beniversal Mastercard for new plan year 2023 expenses. Funds will be available on January 15, 2023.

All unused funds from 2022 for Commuter Benefits (Transit & Parking) Flexible Spending Accounts will roll over into 2023.
Account balances and access will be uninterrupted. 
 

Important rollover limits for the plan year 2023

Plan	Contribution Limits	Rollover Limits
Health Care Flexible Spending Account	Maximum Annual Contribution: $3,050	Maximum: $610
Dependent Care Flexible Account	Maximum Annual Contribution: $5,000	Unused funds will be forfeited
Commuter Benefits Program (Transit & Parking)	Maximum Monthly Contribution: $300	All unused funds rollover to next plan year

For more information on Flexible Spending Accounts, please click HERE.
 

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Available Benefits for 2023

For additional plan resources and details, please visit our Open Enrollment 2023 On-Demand Resources page.

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ALEX, The Virtual Benefits Counselor

ALEX® is an easy-to-use online tool that will help you select the best-fit employee benefit plans for you and your family. ALEX will ask you a few questions about your health care needs (your answers remain anonymous, of course), crunch some numbers, and help to educate you the plans that best fit your personal needs. It’s that easy! Visit ALEX during Open Enrollment at www.myalex.com/dchr/2023.

How long does it take go through ALEX?

Going through the entire ALEX experience and clicking every possible button can take about 30 minutes or so, but the actual duration of your experience will depend on your needs. Most users spend about 7 minutes with the tool. Also, you can always save your place in ALEX and return later simply by providing your email address.

How can I make the most of my ALEX experience?

ALEX is best experienced on a desktop computer with sound (either headphones or speakers), but you can also use it on an Android or iOs (Apple) mobile device.

Will I need to do anything to prepare?

Using ALEX is very simple. You won’t have to dig through your insurance records or anything like that, but if you’d like to prepare for the questions about your medical needs, here’s what you’ll be asked about your maternity care needs and expected number of:

Doctor Visits (Primary Care and Specialists)
Hospital Stays
ER visits
Surgeries (Inpatient and Outpatient)
Prescriptions (Occasional and Ongoing)

How does ALEX calculate recommendations?

ALEX estimates the total yearly out-of-pocket costs (a combination of your premium contributions and the costs for the services you plan to use) for each plan and educates you on the plans with the lowest overall cost to you based on your personal preferences. ALEX’s cost data is based on health insurance plan design features and average procedure cost data.

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2023 Medical Premium Costs for Employees Hired Before October 1987

Please visit the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Health Care Plan Information page for 2023 medical premiums. In addition to the biweekly and monthly premiums, you can also find the total premiums, the amount the government pays, and the change in your portion of the premium compared to last year.

If you are updating your Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB), please complete Standard Form SF-2809 and email to [email protected].

 

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Medical Premium Costs for Employees Hired On or After October 1, 1987*

Please Note: The information on this page is valid through December 31, 2023. Click here for 2022 rates. In the event the plan rates listed here do not match the provider's listed rates, always default to the rates listed with the provider.

Aetna CDHP with HSA

► View Aetna CDHP HSA Health Plan Summary

Aetna HMO

► View Aetna HMO Open Health Plan Summary

Aetna PPO

► View Aetna PPO Health Plan Summary

For more information, please visit the Aetna DC Government Microsite.
 

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CareFirst HMO

► View Carefirst HMO Summary

CareFirst PPO

► View Carefirst PPO Summary

For more information, please visit the Carefirst DC Government Microsite.
 

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Kaiser Permanente HMO

► View Kaiser Permanente Plan Summary

For more information, please visit the Kaiser Permanente DC Government Microsite or contact Kaiser Permanente Member Services.
 

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UnitedHealthcare Choice Open Access

► View UnitedHealthcare Choice Plan Summary

For more information, please visit the UnitedHealthcare DC Government Microsite or contact UnitedHealthcare Member Services.
 

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2023 Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC) Premiums

► TCC Enrollment Form
 

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Aetna CDHP

Aetna HMO

Aetna PPO

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CareFirst HMO

CareFirst PPO

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Kaiser Permanente HMO

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UnitedHealthcare Choice Open Access

* TCC rates shown were those provided by the carriers where possible; otherwise they are assumed to equal the active rates with a 2% load.

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2023 Vision & Dental Premiums

Please Note: The information on this page is valid through December 31, 2023. Click here for 2022 rates.
In the event the plan rates listed here do not match the provider's listed rates, always default to the rates listed with the provider.
 

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Vision Plan

Vision coverage is available at no cost to eligible employees. DC Government pays 100 percent of the premium. There are three coverage tiers available: Self, Self Plus One and Self Plus Family. For more information, please see the Vision Summary Plan Description.
 

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Dental Plan

Cigna Dental HMO: The District pays for 100 percent of the premium costs for the DHMO benefit.
For more information, please see the Cigna Dental HMO Patient Charge Schedule.

Cigna Dental PPO: For more information, please see the Cigna DPPO Summary.

2023 Cigna DPPO Premium Rates

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Contact the DCHR Benefits & Retirement Administration

The DCHR Benefits and Retirement Administration can be reached Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the following:

Phone: 202.442.7627
Email: [email protected]

Payroll Concerns & Questions

For issues regarding payroll or paychecks, please contact the Office of Pay and Retirement Services.

Phone: 202.741.8600

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