What’s changing for 2026

Open Enrollment 2026: What’s changing

Open Enrollment is your once-a-year opportunity to review and make changes to your coverage. Most of your existing benefits will carry over to 2026 unless you make changes. However, you must act if you want to:

• Contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) or any Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

• Update coverage elections to add/remove dependents. Last year’s spousal surcharge will roll over.

• Confirm your tobacco use. Last year’s tobacco use response will roll over.

• Consider changes to supplemental life insurance coverage: You can increase your coverage by 1x your annual base salary (up to $300,000) without providing information about your health.

• Update your beneficiaries.

Don’t wait! If you don’t act now, you won’t be able to change your benefits again until next year, unless you experience a qualifying life event such as marriage, the birth of a child, or a change in coverage. Review your options today.

What you need to know to choose your 2026 benefits

We’ve updated your benefits to keep them competitive and cost-effective. Review the information below to learn what's new for you in 2026.

• Aetna plan changes

  New weight management program

  This new program provides eligible members with dietitian support, a personalized nutrition plan, biometric data tracking, and clinical interventions to help members reach their goals. Members taking oral or injectable medications for weight loss will be required to participate.

  Prescription drug coverage

  This prescription drug coverage will shift to a generics-first formulary. Prescriptions will default to the generic (vs. brand-name) when clinically appropriate, if the generic is the preferred and lowest-cost option.

• Medical plan costs

  Our plans provide a choice in how you prefer to pay for your medical costs balancing what you pay up front through payroll deductions and your costs when you receive care, such as deductibles and coinsurance. We are offering the same plans and salary bands for your payroll deductions as last year. Your exact payroll deduction depends on your plan, coverage tier, and salary band. In 2026, some plan premiums will increase, while one will decrease.

  Read more details on available plans, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs.

  Get support to make the best open enrollment decisions for you and your family.

  Use the tips and resources on this page to better understand and manage your medical costs.

• Resources for Living expansion (Employee Assistance Program)

  You will have even more support for mental wellbeing in 2026. You and all your household members now have up to eight free counseling visits per topic (previously five).

  Learn more about Resources for Living.

• Increased contribution limits

  HSA annual contribution limit is increasing to $4,400 for individuals and $8,750 for families. Learn more about HSAs.

  Dependent Care FSA annual contribution limit is increasing to $7,500 per household. There are eligibility limits for highly compensated Mountaineers. Learn more about Dependent Care FSAs.

• Personalized support

  While these personalized support resources aren’t new for 2026, they can help you make the best healthcare decisions for you and your family.

  Aetna One Advisor (A1A), your personal benefits advisor

  Did you know that Aetna One Advisor (A1A) is your personal benefits advisor? They can help you compare medical plan options, choose the best fit for you and your family, find quality cost-effective providers, and offer tips to get the most from your plan. Once you call, your advisor provides personalized support all year long.

  Your A1A advisor can help you:

  • Tap into free preventative services and condition management programs

  • Find top-quality and budget-friendly providers, schedule appointments, and coordinate your care (including pre-certifications)

  • Make informed decisions about treatment options

  • Understand your prescription drug coverage

  • Sort out an plan or claim issues

  A1A can support all Mountaineers in understanding their benefits.

  Call 888-216-8573, Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET. Aetna members can also chat online through the Aetna member website (aetna.com).

  Emma™: A personal decision support tool

  Emma is an online tool designed to help you choose which plan is best for you during Open Enrollment or when making life event changes. Emma looks at 12 months of you and your enrolled dependents’ medical claims history (if available) to compare coverage options for the coming year. Just answer a few questions and Emma will give a personalized comparison of your medical plan costs, including payroll deductions and expected out-of-pocket costs when you use the plan. Log in to the Iron Mountain Benefits Center via the bswift mobile app or on the web here to get started.