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Benefits Update

UVA Benefits Open Enrollment occurs October 6-17, 2025. The Open Enrollment website is live, and this email details benefits changes that will take effect January 1, 2026, and action items to prepare yourself for Open Enrollment. 

This is a busy time of year, and it’s important to prioritize self-care to thrive at work. Take advantage of all the benefits UVA offers you. Check out all the resources about your benefits and be ready to choose when Open Enrollment opens in Workday on October 6. 

Benefits Changes
Important changes you will want to understand

Benefits changes for plan year 2026 include the following:

• NEW: Teladoc Virtual PCP will soon offer you convenient online visits for non-urgent health needs. Regular checkups with a primary care provider can help prevent chronic conditions and support long-term wellness.
• Health plan premiums increase for the UVA Health Plan and J Visa Health Plan. 
• Annual Deductibles and Out-of-Pocket Maximum increase for the Health Savings option, for the first time since 2022. As a self-insured health plan, the Plan is paid for by employee and employer contributions. 
• The Choice Health option closes to new enrollees after January 1, 2026. This is the last Open Enrollment season to elect Choice Health. Current Choice Health participants may continue in the plan option in 2026.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) employee + employer IRS contribution limit increases. 
• Dependent Care FSA contribution limit increases.
• Dental Plan premiums increase for Basic and Enhanced Dental plans. Enhanced Dental Plan Lifetime Maximum Benefit for orthodontia care increases.
• Davis Vision premiums decrease, while frame and contact lens allowances increase.
• 2026 retirement limit information will be shared later in the fall.

Resources and Tools
Know your options

We thrive together! Compare and select the best health, dental, vision, and benefit savings account options for you and your family using some of these resources:

Open Enrollment Website: 

• Open Enrollment HOME webpage - clearly lays out changes, action steps, tools, resources, and high-level takeaways on the home page. 
• Benefit-specific webpages - accessible via the sidebar navigation box on every Open Enrollment webpage. 
• Workday Instructions – details how to enroll or make changes in Workday.
• Resources webpage - details all resources to help you select the best health, dental and vision options for you and your family, including NEW videos on key benefits topics.
• Schedule of Benefits and Health Plan Benefits Comparison resources - on both the sidebar of every Open Enrollment webpage and in the main content area of the HOME webpage and Health Plan webpage, to help you review the details of each health plan option. 

Aetna Website - Review medical cost estimates based on your current health plan option, and your Aetna A1A team is ready to help explain medical care costs, coordinate care and approvals, and connect you with available resources. Live interpreters stand ready to assist in multiple languages. Call 800.987.9072 and say “translator” or “interpreter.”

Open Enrollment Town Hall – in addition to two Open Enrollment presentations offered Sept. 23 and Sept. 25 by the HR Benefits team, the live-streamed Open Enrollment Town Hall on Oct. 8 will include presentations by the Hoos Well well-being team, UVA Faculty and Employee Assistance Program (FEAP), HR Benefits team, Fidelity, and TIAA. Additional time will be given for Q&A. Visit the Presentations webpage for a full schedule.

Mark Your Calendar

(Click here for instructions on adding all Open Enrollment events to your Outlook calendar.)

Sept. 23–25: Benefits Presentations - Hear about benefits changes, resources, key dates and come prepared to ask questions. Register below. Presentations are not customized for any school or unit, so attend any presentation that fits your schedule. Both options listed below will offer the same content.

• Sept. 23 (Tuesday): Register for 3 - 4 p.m. webinar (Virtual)
• Sept. 25 (Thursday): Register for 12 noon - 1 p.m. webinar (Virtual)

Sept. 18–Oct. 13: Financial and Retirement Webinars and Workshops - These webinars offer you the ability to dive deeper into certain topics and ask questions from HR staff and UVA vendors. See more details about the webinars on the Presentations webpage.

• Sept. 18: Make the Most of Your Retirement Savings
  • Register for 2 p.m. webinar
  • Register for 6 p.m. webinar
• Oct. 8: Exploring the Benefits of an HSA
  • Register for 10 a.m. webinar
  • Register for 8 p.m. webinar
• Oct. 13: Staying Safe Online: Avoiding Cybersecurity Threats and Fraud
  • Register for 10 a.m. webinar
  • Register for 2 p.m. webinar

Action Items
(Prepare for Open Enrollment)

• Familiarize yourself with the Open Enrollment website. 
• Redeem Hoos Well rewards before November 30.
• Deplete Full FSA to $0.00 if considering moving into Health Savings for the first time.
• Changing dependent coverage or adding a new dependent in 2026? Have your dependent required documentation ready to upload into Workday during Open Enrollment. You will not be able to submit your benefits elections without required documentation.
• Schedule a 1:1 appointment with HR specialists if you need help. Call 434.243.3344 to schedule.
• Mark your calendar for the Open Enrollment key dates. Download the calendar of events using instructions above, visit the Open Enrollment website, or refer to the previous open Enrollment email to all benefits-eligible employees on September 10.