Monday, Nov 10—Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025.
Cigna & Highpoint Health UpdatesFind recent communications and resources regarding the disruption in network status between Cigna and Highpoint Health here. |
This is your opportunity to change your benefits and to add or remove eligible family members. Any changes you make now will start January 1, 2026 and remain through June, 2026. If you benefit costs change, that will show in your December payroll(s).
This is a passive enrollment. If you want to keep your current benefits, you don't have to do anything*, but we ask that you log in and confirm you're not making any changes.
*Important FSA Note: If you want a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for the upcoming plan period, you must log in to Employee Navigator and make your FSA Elections. FSA elections do not carry over automatically each year.
As shared previously, Highpoint Health facilities remain out-of-network with Cigna, and there is no clear timeline for a resolution. To protect access to care and be good stewards of University resources, we’re setting a clear path for the rest of this fiscal (academic) year.
Here's what to know:
Moving to BCBS would cost the University significantly more this fiscal year, which we will absorb if needed to protect access to care; however, such an unexpected increase in expenses would mean fewer dollars for other campus priorities. If the Cigna–Highpoint contract is resolved, staying with Cigna is the most responsible choice because it protects access and avoids that added cost.
Our commitment is to minimize disruption, communicate clearly, and use University resources wisely.
Pharmacy copayments remain generally unchanged from 2025, though BCBS and Cigna have differings lists of covered drugs and their copayment structures vary slightly. More information is located in the "resources" section as it becomes available.
The current Delta Dental plan and rates will remain the same through at least June, 2026.
The current plan and pricing with Delta Vision will remain the same through at least June, 2026.
For those enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan (Option 3), a Health Savings Account will continue to be funded monthly with contributions from the University. Contributions are shown below on a monthly basis.
Additionally, you can make, change, or stop your own contributions to your HSA from payroll at any time during the plan year (unlike an FSA). The maximum amount that can be contributed to your HSA for 2026, including both employer and employee contributions, will increase to $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage (including employee + spouse and employee + child(ren)).
If electing, you must log into Employee Navigator to complete your election for both the 2026 Healthcare and Dependent Care FSA.
*Since this plan period will be a short plan year (Jan - Jun), we're allowing half of the annual election during this period. During the opcoming enrollment in spring, you'll be allowed to make adjustments and select the maximum annual increase, if desired.
The current plan and pricing with USAble life will continue unchanged* for 2026.
*Only those enrolled in voluntary life insurance coverage and who are moving into new age brackets this year will see any changes in premiums. These premium adjustments, if any, are reflected in Employee Navigator.
Open Enrollment is a good opportunity to review your beneficiaries and update them as desired.
This is also a good time to review your voluntary retirement plan contributions. Voluntary contribution limits for 2026 will increase from $23,500 to $24,500 for those under age 50 or $32,500 for those at least age 50 as of 12/31/2026.
To make adjustments to your voluntary retirement plan contributions, please and navigate to the contribution management section.
to make elections by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26th.
For assistance using the enrollment self-service option, please review Navigating Your 2026 Benefits Open Enrollment.
get personalized support
If you require more assistance and would like to sign up for a personalized Open Enrollment Support Session (up to 30 minutes) please email us at benefits@sewanee.edu.
If you do not have access to a computer in order to enroll, please call human resources so alternate arrangements can be made.