When you start working at Duke, examine your benefit options and choose the plans that meet your needs. You have 60 days from your hire date to enroll in various benefits. See the Benefits Decision Process for detailed information. 

Each year during the open enrollment period, you will have an opportunity to reevaluate and make changes to your elections. 

If you experience a qualifying life event, you may make changes to some of your Duke benefits within 30 days of the event. Any change you make must be consistent with your qualifying event. For example, if you marry, you may add your new spouse to your Health Care Plan, but you may not enroll in the Dental Plan if you had not been participating. If you want more details about what a qualifying life event is, talk to a Benefits Representative.

Check the Live For Life® program on HR's website to take advantage of several healthy lifestyle programs. 

Think about the medical expenses you have during the year.  Will your medical plan cover all of those expenses?  If not, you can set aside money — pre-tax — into a personal Health Care Reimbursement Account to cover whatever you think you might need to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical costs during the year. 

You can get more detailed information by reading an individual program's summary plan description by visiting Duke HR's website, calling the plan's vendor, or the Benefits Office.