Welcome to 2027 Open Enrollment!

November 2-16 at 11:59 PM CT

Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to enroll in, update, or waive your benefits for the upcoming plan year. During this time, we encourage you to carefully review your benefit options and select the coverage that best meets your needs and, if applicable, the needs of your family. Please note that Open Enrollment is a passive enrollment period. If you do not make any changes, your current 2026 benefit elections will automatically roll over to 2027. The exceptions are:

Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Commuter Benefits
Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions

If you wish to participate in any of these accounts for 2027, you must actively elect and submit your contribution amount during Open Enrollment. Be sure to review your elections and submit any updates before the Open Enrollment deadline!

Where do I go to enroll in Benefits?
Benefits enrollment is managed through our third-party vendor, Alight. You can access the single sign-on feature through Menu>Benefits Portal in Workday and select Alight US Employee Benefits. You may also click here to go directly to the Alight portal (you will need to create a unique username and password).

Benefit Changes for 2027

● Health Savings Account (HSA) Limits. The IRS limits for the Health Savings Account have increased to $4,500 for individuals and $9,000 for families.

● Commuter Benefits Limits. The IRS is expected to announce the 2027 Commuter Benefits contribution limits soon. For now, the limits will default to the limits for 2026. We will update this page once the new limits are available.

● Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Limits. The IRS is expected to announce the 2027 Flexible Spending Account contribution limits soon. For now, the limits will default to the limits for 2026. We will update this page once the new limits are available.

● Plan Design Changes. All medical plans will be aligned to a 20% coinsurance level. The Silver PPO and HDHP deductibles will be adjusted to $2,000 (individual)/$6,000 (family) and $3,000 (individual)/$6,000 (family) respectively.

● Premium Increase. There will be increases to medical and dental plan premiums. Refer to the new benefits microsite for more information.

New for 2027!

● Benefits Microsite. In lieu of the traditional Benefits Guide, the microsite is a new convenient way to access your benefits information.

● Vida KeepWell. A BCBSIL program that provides personalized weight loss support through a dedicated health coach, including support for members taking GLP-1 medications.

● New Dental Plan Option. We are introducing a new Basic dental plan that provides essential dental coverage at a lower cost per paycheck. Our current dental plan will be named the Plus plan and will continue to offer the same coverage available today. Employees enrolled in dental coverage will be automatically enrolled in the Plus plan unless another option is selected during Open Enrollment.

● New Vision Plan. Vision benefits will be transitioning from VSP to MetLife to provide you with more comprehensive care. MetLife utilizes the same network of providers as VSP with enhancements, ensuring you can continue to receive care from your provider.

● Voluntary Life Guaranteed Issue. Employees can enroll up to the guaranteed issue amount for employee and spouse/domestic partner life without Evidence of Insurability (EOI).

Up to $300,000 in employee voluntary life coverage
Up to $25,000 for spouse/domestic partner coverage

● Prior Authorization for GLP-1s. Consistent with FDA guidance and standard employer health plans practices, GLP-1 coverage will focus on FDA-approved indications and clinical appropriateness to help ensure these medications are used safely, effectively, and sustainably.

Things to Consider for Open Enrollment

● Update Beneficiaries. Ensure your beneficiaries are named and up to date to safeguard the right person(s). This can be done on the Alight portal. Beneficiary changes for the retirement plan are managed separately on the Empower portal.

● Update Dependent Information. Ensure all dependent social security numbers are updated, especially for employees who welcomed a newborn child this year.

● Evaluate Benefit Options. Use this opportunity to evaluate your benefit options for the upcoming year. The only other time you can make changes is if you have a qualified life event.

● Compare Health Plans. Review the different health plan options, including premiums, deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums. Need some help? Use the medical plan tool in the Alight portal.

● Check Network Providers. Ensure your preferred doctors and hospitals are included in the plan’s network.

Things to Remember

● Vendor ID Cards. When you enroll in benefits for the first time, you will receive cards from some of the vendors prior to January 1. Those who are remaining in the same medical plan will not receive new medical cards. Only members changing plans or newly enrolling in medical coverage during open enrollment will receive new medical cards for 2027. Our Dental and Vision provider does not send cards. To use these benefits, inform your provider of the insurance carrier and provide your SSN. This information is sufficient to look up the plan information and run a claim. You can also create an account with MetLife (dental and vision) and print a paper card. Below are the plan details:

MetLife Dental: 800.942.0854/ Group number: 229496

MetLife Vision: 855.638.3931/ Group number: 229496

● Health Savings Account (HSA). Those enrolled in the High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) are eligible to participate in the HSA. You can change your HSA contributions at any time through the Alight portal. To do so:

1. Visit Workday and select Menu>Benefits Portal on the left-hand side of the Workday home screen.
2. Click “Alight US Employee Benefits.”
3. On the Alight portal home screen, select “Change Your Coverage” at the top.
4. Under “Miscellaneous”, click the “Change HSA” box.

● IRS Secure 2.0 Act. Employees ages 50 or older who earned a certain amount or more in FICA wages during 2026 and are making catchup contributions to their 401(k) will be required to make those contributions as Roth (post-tax) contributions. This is an automatic process; no action is needed.