Open Enrollment brings new medical plan provider and a new system
Open Enrollment for 2026 annual benefits began on Monday, October 27 and will run through Friday, November 7. This is full-time employees’ annual opportunity to review benefits, make changes to coverage outside of qualifying life events, and ensure their getting the most from what’s available to them and their family. This year, there have been some important updates to our medical plan provider and utilizing Workday to enroll in benefits.
Every year, the Laura Dietrick, Director of Benefits and Employee Well-Being; Geraldine Sullivan, Chief Human Resources Officer; and Dave Hale, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer; along with the University Benefits Committee to review options for employees who qualify for benefits. When reviewing for 2026 benefits, they found that the cost to continue with Cigna as our medical plan provider would be too high, potentially making it financially difficult for university employees. Laura Dietrick, Director of Benefits and Employee Well-Being, stated “We would have faced a much higher increase in premiums [with Cigna].”
Dietrick is excited for the benefits Anthem will provide for enrolled employees, but one Anthem initiative stands out. “…the Family Advocate is probably the most exciting new addition,” Dietrick shared. Anthem’s Family Advocate program helps members find doctors, connects members with specialists, assists members in understanding their coverage and more.
According to the Anthem website, “[Family Advocates] can help employees through trying times, guiding them to care that leads to better outcomes, increasing cost-efficiency.” Dietrick agrees, adding “[The Family Advocate] program should provide a higher level of customer service to our employees and their families.”
But this year’s Open Enrollment comes with another change — it’s the first time that employees are using Workday to elect their coverage. To better assist employees, the Human Resources team has been connecting with folks at Benefits Fairs and Labs, helping full-time faculty and staff elect their coverage through Workday. “All full-time employees must complete their Open Enrollment. If not, you may discover you do not have the benefits you intended for 2026,” Dietrick urged.
If you have questions related to Open Enrollment, you’re encouraged to attend the Benefits Fairs on November 5 or 7, the Open Enrollment Labs on November 6 (one over lunch and one later in the afternoon), or contact Human Resources.