Open enrollment runs Oct. 13-31

Staff and faculty will be able to make changes to benefit plans during open enrollment, Oct. 13-31. This two-week period is the only opportunity for eligible staff and faculty to add, delete or make changes to benefits plans unless experiencing a qualifying life event  such as a change in employment or marital status outside the open enrollment period. The changes made during this period will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.

There are multiple changes for Open Enrollment 2026. Here’s what to know:

• The State Health Plan is moving to income-based premiums. There are four salary bands that the premiums are based on. You can see these bands on the income-based premium chart on the open enrollment web page.
• State Health Plan rates, copays and deductible amounts are increasing for 2026.
• Changes to plan names: The 70/30 plan is now called the Standard PPO and the 80/20 plan is now called the Plus PPO.
• Everyone in the State Health Plan defaults to the Standard PPO plan for 2026; if you want the Plus PPO plan, you must select enrollment in that plan.
• State Health Plan members have a new coverage option with a new vendor called Lantern. Lantern providers are best-in-class surgeons who provide over 1,500 types of surgeries, and your surgery cost is $0. Learn more about the new Lantern benefit.
• You will receive two new insurance ID cards, an Aetna health insurance ID card and a Lantern ID card.
• There is no tobacco attestation required; the $60 surcharge for tobacco use has been eliminated for 2026.
• Dental insurance premiums will have a small increase for 2026.
• The Health Care and Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Accounts will have increased contribution limits. The Health Care FSA will also have increased rollover amounts.
• A new benefit being offered by the UNC System this year is the MetLife Legal Plan, with access to free attorney consultations and services.

How to complete your enrollment:

You will use two enrollment portals to make your benefits selections. Links to both portals are available online when you log in to Connect Carolina, select “Self Service” and go to the “My Benefits” section. On the left, select “Benefits Enrollment”; there you can select both enrollment portals for your open enrollment. You may also enroll or update by phone.

• State Enrollment Portal for only the State Health Plan. To enroll by phone, call 855-859-0966.
• UNC System Enrollment Portal for all other benefits plans. To enroll by phone, call 833-862-1490.

Read more about open enrollment on the UNC Human Resources website.