The Benefits Open Enrollment period is October 6 – October 31, 2025. This is your annual opportunity to enroll in or make changes to your benefits and dependents for the upcoming calendar year. Changes made during Benefits Open Enrollment are effective January 1, 2026. Below are the highlights for 2026.
State Group Health Insurance
The plan designs (health plan and high deductible health plan), copayments, and coinsurance will remain the same. Employee premiums for all plan designs will increase.
The annual deductibles for the High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) will increase to $1,700 for individual coverage and $3,400 for family coverage to remain compliant with the IRS minimum deductible requirement.
The below health insurance carriers will have name changes.
- Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative: renamed CareSource
- Dean Health Plan Medica West and Mayo Clinic Health System: renamed Medica West and Mayo Clinic Health System
- Dean Health Plan Prevea360 East: renamed Prevea360 East
- Dean Health Plan: renamed Dean Health Plan by Medica
If you are currently enrolled in a plan with a name change, you will be enrolled with the renamed plan with the same plan design and dependents unless you make a change during the Benefits Open Enrollment period. All other health insurance carriers currently available in the State Group Health Insurance Program will continue to be available for 2026.
Uniform and Preventive Dental Insurance Plans
These plans provide coverage for preventive dental services, most basic dental services, and orthodontia services (up to age 19). Employee premiums for Uniform Dental (family coverage) and Preventive Dental Insurance will increase. Employee premiums Uniform Dental (individual coverage) will remain the same.
Supplemental Dental Insurance Plans
The Select and Select Plus plans provide coverage for major and restorative dental services. The Select Plus plan covers orthodontia services for children and adults. Employee premiums for the Select plan will remain the same. Employee premiums for the Select Plus plan will increase.
Vision Insurance Plan
The vision insurance plan provides coverage for an annual eye exam and materials (contacts and glasses). Starting January 1, 2026, MetLife will be the administrator for the vision insurance. The $150 allowance for materials will remain the same. Employee premiums will decrease for 2026.
Individual & Family Life Insurance
There are no changes to the Individual & Family Life Insurance Program for 2026. The employee, spouse/domestic partner, and child premium rates will remain the same.
If you currently have coverage, you may increase your employee, spouse/domestic partner, or child coverage during the Benefits Open Enrollment period, up to plan maximums. Or you may decrease or cancel coverage, at any time.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
This plan provides a benefit if you die as the result of an accident, or suffer the loss of a limb, your eyesight, hearing, or speech. You can enroll in, change, or cancel coverage at any time. The premium rates will decrease for 2026.
Accident Insurance
This plan provides a lump sum payment to you for specific injuries due to an accident. This plan includes an accidental death & dismemberment benefit. Employee premiums will increase for 2026.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Below are the contribution and carryover limits for 2026.
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts
- Maximum annual contribution: $3,300 (increase)
- Carryover minimum: $50 OR balances less than $50 will carryover if you re-enroll for the 2026 plan year (no change)
- Carryover maximum: $660 (increase)
- Dependent Day Care Account
- Maximum annual contribution (depends on tax filing status): $3,750 or $7,500 (increase)
- Carryover: $0 (no change)
- Parking & Transit Accounts
- Maximum monthly contribution: $325 (increase)
- Carryover minimum: $50 OR balances less than $50 will carryover if you re-enroll for the 2026 plan year (no change)
- Carryover maximum: unlimited (no change)
TASC will be the administrator for the FSAs in 2026. For more information, review the FSA and HSA Vendor Change web page.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
The below maximum contribution amounts for 2026 include the increased annual employer contribution amounts ($852 for individual coverage and $1,704 for family coverage).
- Individual: $4,400 (increase)
- Family: $8,750 (increase)
TASC will be the administrator for the HSA in 2026. For more information, review the FSA and HSA Vendor Change web page.
Next Steps
Some universities will host onsite benefits fairs to help you understand the benefits for 2026. Check the benefits fairs schedule to see if your university will host an onsite benefits fair.
Watch for emails in September for more information about the Benefits Open Enrollment period and actions required.
Source: Universities of Wisconsin Office of Human Resources