Jan Bliss, senior director of benefits for Eastern Washington University, visited the EWU Retirees Association’s October meeting to share information and answer questions about benefits.
Open Enrollment runs through Nov. 24, 2025, with changes going into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. So, now’s the perfect time to learn all you can about retiree benefits.
Here are a few key takeaways from Bliss’ retiree benefits presentation:
Bliss says there aren’t many changes to the health insurance plans this year, other than some premium increases.
Retirees can compare the retiree plans offered by the state through Kaiser, UnitedHealthcare and Uniform, by visiting the Washington State Health Care Authority website (Hca.wa.gov/employee retiree benefits).
Bliss suggests researching – and comparing – plans to learn about differences in coverage. Look for provider directories, plan-specific booklets, and even certificates of coverage, which can be found online.
Your choice should take into consideration the coverage that best fits you and your family’s preference for physicians and prescription medication needs.
Sometimes a plan may have a cheaper premium, but costs more overall, Bliss says, as coverage for prescriptions can make a big difference in your total out-of-pocket costs.
Lifestyle also factors into consideration. If you tend to stay close to home, Kaiser provides coverage that is primarily local. For retirees who travel or spend part of the year living in another state or country, UnitedHealthcare and Uniform provide nationwide coverage. In addition, Uniform offers international coverage.
However, Bliss adds, retirees using UnitedHealthcare can also purchase travelers’ insurance if they travel abroad.
Although there are plenty of televised commercials about health insurance plans this time of the year, Bliss says the plans offered to EWU retirees are negotiated by the state Washington and the insurer and tend to offer more value.
For instance, she says, the state’s retiree plans include pharmacy, vision and hearing benefits. (They do offer one Medicare supplement plan that does not include these benefits.) That combination of coverage isn’t typically included in the Medicare supplement plans insurers offer to the larger public.
Because of that value, Bliss suggests thinking carefully before exiting benefit plans provided by the state, saying, “If you drop out of the retiree coverage, you cannot come back.”
Although Health Care Authority recommends making changes on its 24/7 online system, Bliss says for folks who aren’t comfortable doing enrollment online, printed forms are available through EWU’s Benefits Office or by calling Heath Care Authority at 800.200.1004.
“We always will have forms because you can still submit a form. You can mail it, fax it, upload it,” Bliss says.
