Open enrollment for ACTIVE members is November 12, 2008 through November 25, 2008.

Open enrollment for RETIRED POST 1986 retirees will be November 5, 2008 through November 18, 2008.

Pre-1986 RETIREES can make a change at anytime effective the 1^st of the month following a 30 day period.

There will be a Benefit Renewal Brochure mailed to all members on October 27, 2008. Those members who are in the MEP Plan will receive a brochure which details the changes from the MEP to the new MEP HCPPO. Those who are participating in the MEP PPO will receive a brochure which details the changes from the MEP PPO to the new MEP HCPPO and lastly those who participate in the HCN or an HMO will receive the information about the new MEP HCPPO.

The new medical plan option – the MEP Health Care PPO will replace the current MEP and the MEP PPO. This plan will be the default plan. Any new hire who doesn’t select a plan will be placed into the MEP HCPPO.

Any member who currently participates in the MEP or the MEP PPO will automatically be enrolled in the new MEP HCPPO and would ONLY need to make a change during open enrollment if they wanted to choose a different medical plan other than the new MEP HCPPO.

Any member who currently participates in the HCN or an HMO will continue in those plans unless they make a change and elect to enroll in a new medical plan by November 25, 2008.

The Preferred Care (New York) option 839 WILL NOT be an option in 2009. Those members in that plan will need to elect a new plan or they will default into the MEP HCPPO.

Any member who wants a copy of the Health Plan Comparison Charts can go online on the Benefits Resources website at www.verizon.com/benefits or if anyone wants the charts mailed to them, call 1-877-4VZ-BENS beginning October 29, 2008. Allow ten (10) days for delivery.

It is important for you to review your covered dependents during Benefits Renewal and remove any ineligible dependents. You can do this by visiting the Benefits Resources Website or by calling 1-877-4VZ-BENS.

The new “Anytime Enrollment Process” becomes effective on January 1, 2009. Members must be enrolled in the same plan for 12 months before he/she can make a medical plan change (other than a life event). Therefore the first time anyone can make a change under the “Anytime Enrollment Process” is January 1, 2010.

Anytime Enrollment for Retirees for Post 1986 Retirees becomes effective January 1, 2009 and retirees can make a change at anytime effective the 1^st of the month following a 30 day period.