Benefits


News and Announcements

UMP Plus plans closing

Beginning January 1, 2026, UMP Plus–Puget Sound High Value Network (PSHVN) and UMP Plus–UW Medicine Accountable Care Network (ACN) will no longer be available.

During annual open enrollment, October 27 through November 24, 2025, UMP Plus subscribers must select a new medical plan, or they and any enrolled dependents will be automatically enrolled in UMP Classic with coverage starting January 1, 2026. View the announcement on the HCA website for more information about this change.

Learn more about your other plan options with benefits comparisons, plan premiums, and more on the PEBB open enrollment webpage.

Questions

For questions about:

Your enrollment or PEBB account: Check Benefits 24/7. If you still have questions, contact benefits office.

Benefits: Contact the plans.

Benefits 24/7: Go to the Help with Benefits 24/7 webpage or call the login assistance phone line at 1-866-335-0043. This line is for login issues only. Contact your payroll or benefits office for other account-related issues.


Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose FSA, and Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

If you want to participate in the FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, or DCAP for 2026, you must enroll during annual open enrollment, even if you are enrolled for the current year. Don’t wait until the last minute! The PEBB open enrollment deadline is closer than you think. Navia Benefit Solutions or EWU Benefits Office must receive your enrollment no later than November 24, 2025. (Exception: You do not have to be enrolled in an FSA to receive the $300 contribution per your collective bargaining agreement, if eligible. Learn more below.)

About FSA and DCAP

An FSA allows you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs. A Limited Purpose FSA is limited to only dental and vision expenses. DCAP allows you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for qualifying childcare or elder care expenses.

Contribution limits

The minimum contribution for the FSA and Limited Purpose FSA in 2026 is $120 and the maximum contribution limit is $3,400. The minimum contribution for DCAP is $120 and the maximum contribution limit for DCAP increased to $7,500 per household for 2026 ($3,750 each if you are married and filing separate tax returns).

How to enroll

You have two options for how to enroll:

  • Log in and enroll on the Navia Benefit Solutions webpage.
  • Complete Navia’s PEBB 2026 Open Enrollment form, available on Navia’s Forms & Documents webpage and submit it as instructed on the form, or return your completed form to the Benefits Office.

Navia Benefit Solutions or EWU Benefits Office must receive your enrollment no later than November 24, 2025.

FSAs and CDHPs don’t mix

If you or your spouse or state-registered domestic partner have a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) with an HSA, you can enroll in a Limited Purpose FSA for eligible dental and vision expenses, but you cannot enroll in the FSA. If you enroll in an FSA and CDHP, you will be automatically disenrolled from the FSA.

If you enroll in a CDHP with an HSA and still have at least $120 in your FSA from a previous year, the leftover amount (up to $660) will be converted to a Limited Purpose FSA.

FSA funds may carry over

If you have an FSA in 2025, unused funds up to $660 may carry over and be used for 2026. IRS rules require that any amount over $660 be forfeited to the plan administrator, the Health Care Authority. The minimum carryover amount is $120. Any amount under $120 will be forfeited unless you enroll in an FSA for 2026.

Deadlines for claims

All 2025 FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, and DCAP expenses must be incurred by December 31, 2025. You must submit all 2025 claims to Navia Benefit Solutions for reimbursement by March 31, 2026.

$300 FSA contribution for represented employees

If you’re a represented employee earning $68,004 or less annually as of November 1, 2025, you might qualify for a $300 FSA contribution in January 2026, per your collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The funds will not be deducted from your paycheck, and no action is required to receive the funds.

You will be notified by February 2026 if you are awarded this contribution. If you already have an FSA, the $300 will be added to your existing account and will not count against your annual maximum contribution. If you do not have an FSA, Navia Benefit Solutions will create your account and send you a Navia Benefits Debit MasterCard loaded with $300. The debit card is mailed in an unmarked envelope for your security.

To qualify, you must not waive PEBB medical coverage, unless you’re covered as a dependent on another PEBB medical plan that is not a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP). You cannot be enrolled in an FSA and a CDHP with an HSA at the same time.

For more details, including a full list of eligibility requirements, please see the CBA FAQs.

Questions

For questions about:

FSA/DCAP: Visit the PEBB Program’s Flexible Spending Arrangements and Dependent Care Assistance Program webpages or contact Navia Benefit Solutions at 1-800-669-3539 from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific), Monday through Friday.

Your enrollment or PEBB account: Check Benefits 24/7. If you still have questions, contact EWU benefits office.

Health plan benefits: Contact the plans.

Benefits 24/7: Go to the Help with Benefits 24/7 webpage or call the login assistance phone line at 1-866-335-0043. This line is for login issues only. Contact your payroll or benefits office for other account-related issues.



2026 EWU/PEBB Open Enrollment

October 27 – November 24

The annual Open Enrollment period runs from October 27 – November 24 with an effective date of January 1, 2026, for all changes.  You will have the opportunity to either enroll online through the Health Care Authority’s Benefits 24/7 website or you can find electronic forms available on the Benefits webpage on Inside EWU.  Paper forms are also available from the Benefits Office.

Open Enrollment is the one time each year when you can:

  • Change your medical, dental, or vision plan
  • Add or remove dependents from coverage
  • Enroll or re-enroll in Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)/Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) for the next year, and
  • And re-attest to the spousal surcharge questionnaire.

Important to Know – Making Changes in PEBB’s Benefits 24/7 system

  • When making elections in PEBB’s Benefits 24/7 system, be sure to go to the final page where you are asked to save/print a confirmation page. If you do not get to this page, you have not fully submitted your election, and your election will not be processed. It is strongly recommended that you save/print this confirmation page for your records.
  • If you reopen the Open Enrollment event to make a change or confirm what you elected, you must fully submit the election again going to the final page. Opening the event overrides the previous submission and causes that submission to disappear, so a new review/election must be fully submitted.

Quick links:

October 2025 For Your Benefits NewsletterHCA Open Enrollment Website
2025/2026 Premiums What’s changing in 2026?
PEBB Virtual Benefits FairPEBB Medical Benefit Comparison Tool
PEBB Dental Benefits ComparisonPEBB Vision Benefits Comparison
Find a PEBB medical plan providerMedical Plan Availability by County

Open Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make changes to my medical, vision and/or dental plans?

To make changes, use Benefits 24/7 or a 2026 paper enrollment form. Forms will be available on Oct. 27 on the PEBB website and on the EWU Benefits web page

  • If you make changes using Benefits 24/7, they must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on November 24, 2025.
  • If you use a form, it must be received by EWU’s benefits office no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 24, 2025.

How can I verify which plan I am currently enrolled in?

In Benefits 24/7, click on Current Coverage.

How can I compare coverage between the different medical plans?

PEBB has a medical benefit comparison tool you can use.

Why do insurance premiums go up or down each year?

Insurance plans submit premium proposals that take into consideration the past years claims history, and the anticipated trend for the upcoming year. If a plan paid out more claims than they collected in premiums, you will usually see premium increases the next year, and visa versa.  

I am enrolled in the UMP Plus plan and understand it will no longer be offered in 2025. What do I need to do?

You need to make a new medical plan election during the open enrollment window. If you do not make an election, you will be enrolled in the UMP Classic plan. Any family members on your coverage will also move to the new plan.

How can I find a health care provider in the UMP/Regence network who would be covered as a preferred provider?

Visit the “Find a Doctor” UMP/Regence website.  If you are already a member, log into/sign up for your online account.  If you are not a UMP member, follow the links under “For Guests”.

How can I find a health care provider or participating Kaiser WA clinic?

For Kaiser WA, visit the Kaiser WA provider search website.  Remember that all locations have a Kaiser WA Clinic, so you can search by provider service or name.

If I elect to change my medical plan for 2026, will I be required to switch my dental or vision plan as well?

No.  Medical, dental and vision plan elections are separate elections.  It would only be if you wanted to change your dental or vision plan as well that you would need to submit that as an Open Enrollment change.  

What is the amount that EWU pays in addition to what I pay for medical premiums towards my benefits package? 

In 2026, EWU will pay $1333 as the employer contribution for each benefit-eligible employee to cover the majority of the medical premium, all the vision and dental premiums, and the basic life and long-term disability coverage. 


Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement

Questions and Answers

Are you a represented employee who will be making $68,004 a year or less on November 1, 2025?

  • If you meet the criteria, you may receive a $300 Medical FSA contribution from your employer in January 2026. This contribution will not come out of your paycheck. You will receive it even if you don’t enroll in the Medical FSA for 2026.
  • However, if you enroll in a CDHP with an HSA or waive PEBB medical coverage (except to enroll as a dependent on another PEBB account), you cannot receive the $300 contribution. This benefit was negotiated by the State of Washington through the Health Care collective bargaining agreement.
  • If you are found to be eligible for this benefit and enroll in a Medical FSA for 2026, the $300 will be added to your account in January. If you are eligible but do not enroll in a Medical FSA, Navia Benefit Solutions will open an account for you and send you a welcome letter with a debit card loaded with $300.
  • If you have questions about this employer-paid benefit, please contact your benefits office.

TIAA Consulting Appointments are Available Virtually or by Phone!

Appointments are available to meet with EWU’s TIAA financial consultant who can help you create a plan or get you started planning for retirement savings.  This is a free service to you!  Get answers to questions such as:

  • Are my investments a right mix to meet retirement goals?
  • Am I saving enough for retirement?
  • How will I take income from my account when I stop working?

You can schedule an online appointment with a TIAA Financial Consultant.  Just click this link www.tiaa.org/schedulenow choose “Your Employer” then “Washington” then “Eastern Washington University” and you will be able to see all of the available dates and times.  You can also call 1.800.732.8353 to make an appointment.

These sessions are available to all employees who participate in TIAA as a retirement plan or through the Voluntary Investment Plan.


TIAA now offers live webinars

Keep your financial goals on track with TIAA’s live webinars.  Visit TIAA.org/webinars to register or watch past presentations on demand.


SmartHealth Wellness

SmartHealth is Washington State’s voluntary wellness program that supports you on your journey toward living well.  As you progress on your wellness journey, you can also qualify for rewards.

The assessment only takes about 15 minutes, personalizes your SmartHealth experience, and is the first step toward qualifying for the $125 wellness incentive. Learn more about SmartHealth for details.


Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) Live Webinars!

New! Live retirement webinars for DRS members and DCP participants. See available webinars.

Find out more about your retirement plan and benefits at a time and place that is convenient for you. Webinar topics include:

  • Plan 2 or Plan 3 resources and questions about which plan is right for you.
  • The fundamentals of your retirement plan: Contributions, benefits, investment selections (Plan 3), retirement requirements and options.
  • How DCP can help you save more for retirement
  • AND MUCH MORE!

Featured webinars:

  • Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
  • DCP Distributions
  • Plan Choice (Plan 2 or Plan 3)
  • Plan 2: PERS, TRS, SERS
  • Plan 2: LEOFF, WSPRS, PSERS
  • Plan 3: PERS, TRS, SERS
  • Plan 3 Distributions
  • Purchasing an Additional Benefit
  • Early Retirement (PERS, SERS, TRS)
  • Getting Ready for Retirement
  • Applying for Retirement
  • Benefit Payment Options at Retirement
  • Returning to Work After Retirement
  • Nearing Retirement Seminar (webinar version)
  • Medicare (guest speaker from SHIBA)

Please see the webinar schedule for the link to join the webinar, and to review the full webinar schedule for additional webinars, dates and times.  It is recommended that you log into the webinar 10-15 minutes in advance to test connection and sound. Please review how to join a DRS Webinar for tips on accessing the webinar, audio, and sending questions. For login or audio assistance, please call 360.664.7930. Please be aware the audio comes through your computer so you’ll need speakers or a headset.  The webinars are not recorded.

Unable to attend a webinar? While the webinars are not recorded, many of the topics are available in the video library by scrolling the video page of the DRS website.


Important health care information regarding Premium Assistance under Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Washington Apple Health for Adults and Children


Events

Open Enrollment 2026 – October 27 through November 24, 2025

Retirement Outlook Newsletter

Current Issue

Additional Benefits and Programs

318 Showalter Hall

email: benefits@ewu.edu

phone: 509.359.2488

fax: 509.359.2874