The University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Benefits Fair, held on October 28 at the SMC Campus Center, marked a significant return to in-person engagement following the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, organized by Emily Winkler, benefits manager at Human Resource Services (HRS), saw a robust turnout with employees eager to explore various health and wellness resources. The atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm, as employees reconnected through face-to-face interactions that have long been missing in the virtual work environment.
Attendees were provided with an extensive range of information on health and life insurance, retirement planning, and wellness programs. UMB employees, along with other state employees, had the opportunity to evaluate their health insurance options for 2025, participate in biometric screenings, and collect informational brochures. The fair fostered an atmosphere of learning and connection, ensuring every visitor could make informed decisions about their benefits.
Comprehensive Health and Wellness Resources
Engaging with Vendors and Health Insurance Information
The fair featured a myriad of vendors, with representatives from UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser Permanente, and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, providing direct insights into insurance plan options. UnitedHealthcare’s Bill Rogers underscored the importance of in-person interactions, which allowed for clear, detailed discussions about the nuances of various insurance policies. Employees benefited immensely from these face-to-face discussions, which are crucial for understanding complex health plans and making tailored choices.
Attendees like Ayamba Ayuk-Brown from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and professors Birjoo Vaishnav and Kofi Owusu-Antwi from the School of Medicine noted the convenience and clarity these interactions provided. The event was designed not just to disseminate information but to make it comprehensible and accessible. This setup enabled deeper engagement, ensuring that employees were not merely passive recipients of information but active participants in understanding their health and wellness benefits.
Focus on Retirement Planning and Biometric Screenings
In addition to health insurance options, the fair placed significant emphasis on retirement planning and biometric screenings. Latarsha Lewis from the Maryland Department of Budget and Management’s Benefits Division noted a steady influx of employees seeking information on upcoming changes, wellness discounts, and new pharmacy options through MedImpact, the state’s new prescription drugs provider. This section of the fair catered to the diverse needs of the employees, offering insights into both immediate and long-term health and wellness strategies.
Biometric screenings were a popular feature, providing employees with a convenient and accessible way to monitor their health metrics. These screenings, combined with the wealth of information available at the fair, empowered attendees to take proactive steps in managing their health. It was a holistic approach, covering both preventive measures and future planning, designed to ensure employees felt supported and informed about all aspects of their well-being.
Positive Reception and Future Implications
Attendee Experiences and Event Atmosphere
The overarching trend from the fair was a positive reception to returning to in-person events, highlighting the value of direct engagement for understanding and navigating benefit options. Employees like Tanya Pinkney and Kevin Gayles found the fair valuable for making informed decisions about their benefits, appreciating the comprehensive and accessible nature of the information presented. The event was further enlivened by engaging activities like raffle prizes and smoothies, creating a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere.
The fair successfully empowered UMB employees through a vibrant and informative setup to confidently manage their health and wellness decisions ahead of the open enrollment deadline on November 8. The direct engagement allowed employees to clarify doubts, explore various benefit options thoroughly, and feel more confident about the choices they were making for the upcoming year. The positive feedback and high attendance underscored the necessity and effectiveness of such events.
Lessons Learned and Looking Forward
The fair showcased various vendors such as UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser Permanente, and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, who provided in-depth insights into insurance plans. Bill Rogers from UnitedHealthcare highlighted the critical role of in-person interactions, enabling detailed discussions about the intricacies of different insurance options. These face-to-face conversations were invaluable for employees, helping them grasp complex health plans and make personalized decisions.
Attendees like Ayamba Ayuk-Brown from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and professors Birjoo Vaishnav and Kofi Owusu-Antwi from the School of Medicine appreciated the convenience and clarity these interactions offered. The event aimed not only to share information but also to make it easily understandable and accessible. This approach fostered greater engagement, ensuring employees were active participants in comprehending their health and wellness benefits rather than just passively receiving information.
