Are you prepared? Advantages open enrollment begins Monday

The enrollment window for 2026 worker advantages opens at 8 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3, and closes at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. This is workers’ time to decide on or to alter well being, dental and life insurance coverage protection, versatile spending accounts and the eyewear low cost plan for the 2026 calendar 12 months. It’s additionally a time to evaluation and replace dependents who shall be lined on Jan. 1. And this fall, it is also workers’ first alternative to enroll in three new voluntary advantages introduced in August: insurance coverage for accidents, vital diseases and hospital stays.

Enrollment occurs in Workday

In the leadup to open enrollment, benefits-eligible workers are receiving a number of emails from ALEX, the free, advantages comparison-shopping instrument. Beginning Nov. 3 on their Workday homepage, a advantages open enrollment immediate shall be of their “awaiting action” tile. And on Nov. 5 they may obtain an electronic mail invitation from college human sources that incorporates enrollment hyperlinks.

Employees could change their selections as wanted in the course of the three weeks of open enrollment, however the final elections submitted earlier than 5 p.m. on Nov. 21 shall be remaining. A data base article offers step-by-step instructions for submitting advantages selections in Workday.

And keep in mind, medical, dental and Avesis premiums are collected a month prematurely, so December paychecks would be the first to replicate premium modifications.

No modifications to protection

As shared in early July, ISU Plan members will not see any modifications in protection to their well being or dental care in 2026. Employee premiums for the Wellmark HMO and PPO plans will go up, about 10% on common (see desk under). Total month-to-month premiums for each the essential and complete dental plans aren’t altering in 2026. Employee premiums shall be $10-$20 much less per 30 days, except for no change to the premium for employee-only fundamental protection, and the college will choose up the distinction.

Premiums and protection within the non-obligatory Avesis eyewear program additionally aren’t altering for the 2026 plan 12 months.

2026 well being care premiums (month-to-month)

Flexible spending accounts may be greater

The contribution restrict for dependent care versatile spending accounts (FSAs) goes up in 2026. Employees could put aside as much as $7,500 pre-tax {dollars} to make use of on bills like daycare, after-school care or elder care. Since 1986, the restrict to those accounts has been $5,000. The new restrict for married people submitting their taxes individually is $3,750, up from the present $2,500.

The contribution restrict on well being care FSAs will go up $100, to $3,400, in 2026. The pre-tax {dollars} in these accounts can be utilized for out-of-pocket medical, prescription drug, dental and imaginative and prescient bills. The carryover allowed on the finish of 2026 shall be $680, a rise of $20.

First probability to enroll in non-obligatory insurance coverage

Similar to the voluntary Avesis eyewear plan, workers could choose from three voluntary insurance coverage choices in 2026 that present money funds on the time of: an accident, vital sickness or hospital keep. Premiums for these non-obligatory coverages are totally employee-paid, and the insurance coverage helps with bills not lined by medical health insurance within the ISU Plan. Here’s a brief abstract of every:

• Accident insurance (PDF) offers a cost in response to the harm, for instance, a concussion, burn, damaged bone or broken ligament, whether or not it occurs at house or at work.
• Critical illness insurance (PDF) pays a lump-sum profit the insured chooses — both $10,000 or $20,000 — to assist with restoration throughout well being crises resembling most cancers, diabetes, stroke, coronary heart assault or different lined sickness. There is not any whole most profit or restrict to the variety of funds an worker could obtain for every lined situation, aside from pores and skin most cancers.
• Hospital indemnity insurance (PDF) offers funds when an insured individual is admitted to the hospital and for every day of the keep, whether or not it is for childbirth, surgical procedure, sickness or harm. It may very well be used with accident or vital sickness insurance coverage.

Iowa State’s advantages workforce is out there to reply questions. Contact them at 515-294-4800 or electronic mail [email protected]. Employees with questions particular to the three voluntary insurance coverage ought to name that assist line, 1-855-874-0308 (weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.), and a voluntary advantages counselor will help.