Open Enrollment ends NOVEMBER 6
That means it’s time to start reviewing your benefit options and deciding if you want to make any changes for 2027. We have many important updates to our benefit offerings that you’ll want to be sure to consider. See below for a summary of what’s new and what you need to do. As a reminder, we have two enrollment platforms—eBenefits (Benefitfocus) for State Health Plan elections and UNC Empyrean (COMPASS) for all other benefit elections.
Your new elections will go into effect January 1, 2027.
Click here for detailed information about
2027 benefit options.
State Health Plan Changes
| NEW Tiered Provider Network Plan Design | There will be four tiers of providers, and your out-of-pocket costs will vary based on the tier of the provider you choose: Preferred: You’ll have lower deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and copays than what you are currently paying when you receive care from a preferred provider. Access: You’ll generally have the same out-of-pocket costs as you have today but in some cases costs may be lower when you receive care from an access provider. Non-Preferred: You’ll have significant increases to your out-of-pocket costs when you receive care from a non-preferred provider. Out-of-Network: You’ll continue to have higher out-of-pocket costs when you receive care from an out-of-network provider since these providers are not included in the Plan’s broad, national network. |
| Health Care Premiums | There will be increases to premiums. Active members will have a monthly increase ranging from less than $2 to around $8 for individual coverage and less than $29 to $42 per month for family coverage. |
UNC Plan Updates
| Employee Voluntary Life Insurance Plan | The monthly cost of coverage for employee voluntary life insurance (with matching AD&D rider) has slightly decreased. |
| Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Plans | The monthly cost of coverage for employee voluntary AD&D as well as employee and family AD&D has decreased. |
NCFlex Changes
| Cancer and Specified Disease Vendor | Premiums are increasing. |
| Critical Illness Plan | Rates are increasing. |
| Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) | The Health Care FSA maximum annual contribution is increasing to $3,400. |
LEARN MORE
Click here for more Open Enrollment information. You can also visit www.shpnc.gov for details about your health benefits, https://myapps.northcarolina.edu/hr/benefits-leave/ for details about your UNC income protection plans and the UNC Legal Plan, and www.ncflex.org for details about your NCFlex benefits.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO ON EACH ENROLLMENT PLATFORM
eBenefits (Benefitfocus)
- If you are currently enrolled in health coverage under the State Health Plan and don’t take action, you and your covered dependents will be enrolled in the Standard PPO Plan for 2026. If you want to participate in the Plus PPO Plan in 2026, be sure to enroll during Open Enrollment.
- If you don’t currently have a Primary Care Provider under Aetna on file, be sure to designate one to enjoy lower copays when visiting your PCP in 2026.
Questions about enrolling? During the Open Enrollment period of October 13 – 31, 2025, the Eligibility and Enrollment Support Center will have extended hours. Call 855-859-0966, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m., ET, and Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., ET.
UNC Empyrean (COMPASS)
- You will continue to go here to enroll in/make changes for all benefits except health.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) require re-enrollment every year, so your benefit election from last year will not roll over for 2026. If you want to participate in either of the FSAs, you must make an election during Open Enrollment. Keep in mind that the maximum annual contribution limits have increased for both the Health Care FSA and Dependent Day Care FSA as noted above.
- All other elections made through this platform will remain in effect for 2026 unless you make a change during Open Enrollment.
Questions about enrolling? Call the University of North Carolina Benefits Service Center at 833‑862‑1490, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., ET.
Open Enrollment is October 13 – 30, 2026. Be sure to enroll to get the coverage you want for 2027.
For Your Information
If you are unsure of which platform to use or have any questions, contact HR Benefits at askbenefits@uncg.edu. Or 336-334-5009.