Open Enrollment

What is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment is the time for benefits-eligible employees to sign up for medical, dental, life and vision insurance plans, or to make changes in their coverage choices (such as switching medical plans, adding or dropping coverage, adding or dropping dependents, and setting up or changing flexible spending accounts).听 All enrollments and changes made during this year鈥檚 open enrollment will be effective January 1, 2026 and will continue through December 31, 2026.听

Open enrollment will begin on Monday, October 27, 2025, and close on Friday, November 7, 2025.听

During this period, you will be able to review and select healthcare coverage and other benefits that best meet your needs and those of your family. Your medical plan has a significant impact on your healthcare experience, making it an important decision.听听

Open enrollment is ACTIVE for medical coverage only. This means that you must either elect or waive medical coverage for the 2026 plan year, or you will not have medical coverage. All other coverages will automatically roll over, except for Health and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA Accounts), which must be re-elected each year.听

The University will continue offering health coverage through both Cigna Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente in 2026. You may choose between the Copay Plan and the High-Deductible Health Plan. Detailed plan design information will be outlined in the benefit summaries and benefit guide.听听

How to Enroll in Benefits

  • To enroll in your benefits, please login to with your employee credentials.
  • Go to the Open Enrollment widget on the dashboard to begin your enrollment process.
  • Click on the Benefits Enrollment System (BES) link to elect benefits.
  • The BES will be open until 11:59PM on November 7, 2025.

Many resources are available for help understanding this year鈥檚 benefit options, click links below for resources:

Benefits Guides and Important Updates

Employee Benefits Guide

2025 for January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025

PDF Downloadable Version of Benefits Guide 2025

Employee Premium Contribution Rate Sheet

Employee Benefit Premium Contributions 2025听for January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025

Important Changes for Plan Year 2026

Starting in 2026, medical plans will include new deductibles and modest increases to certain out-of-pocket costs. Full details will be in the coverage summaries and benefit guide.

Good News!

Although the University鈥檚 share of monthly premiums has increased significantly, employee monthly premium contributions will remain the same for 2026. Your paycheck deductions for medical coverage will not change.

Medical Plan Options

Cigna Copay and Kaiser HMO

The Copay and HMO Plans have set copays for some services and a deductible and coinsurance for others. Copays do not apply toward your deductible, so you will pay copays until you reach your annual out-of-pocket maximum.

Cigna and Kaiser - High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP)

With the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), you pay the full negotiated cost for medical services and prescription drugs with the exception of preventive care which is covered at 100%, until you meet your annual deductible. If you are enrolled in the HDHP, you may be eligible to contribute tax-free dollars in a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for eligible medical expenses. You choose when to use the money in your HSA account. It rolls over from year to year, allowing the balance to increase. Eligibility restrictions and contribution limits apply and are subject to change annually.

Customer Service Availability

Cigna

Cigna鈥檚 One Guide Service offers 24/7/365 customer support, providing help whenever you need it. You can reach them anytime at 888-806-5042.听

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser member services are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at 800-632-9700. Members also have 24/7 access online at 听

Benefits Fair

Please join us in the Community Commons on Monday, October 27th from 10:00am - 2:00pm for our Employee Benefits Fair. Our benefit plan vendors including Cigna and Kaiser Permanente will be available in-person to provide information and answer questions about all of our benefits plans and programs. Chair massage therapists will be available on a first come, first serve basis from 10:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Location and details for the Benefits Fair are listed below:

  • Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
  • Time: 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.
  • Location: Community Commons, Room 1700
  • Address: 2055 E. Evans Avenues, 黑料门, CO 80208

Accommodations for Benefits Enrollment Period

To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation for the benefits enrollment process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at 303-871-3941 or email ada.coordinator@du.edu.

Assistance with Benefits Questions and Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment Information Sessions

We know open enrollment comes with important decisions and questions. To support you, several opportunities to learn more about your benefits will be available. 听

In-person and virtual meetings: 听

  • Tuesday, October 28,11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.听

  • Tuesday, October 28, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.听

  • Wednesday, November 4, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.听

  • Wednesday, November 4, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.听

听In-person sessions will be held in the Mary Reed Building, Renaissance Room.听

听You can join virtually using this Zoom link:

Frequently Asked Questions

For frequently asked questions, please take a look at our ongoing Open Enrollment FAQs

Connect with your Benefits Advocate Center (BAC)

The Benefits Advocate Center can help with questions, billing or claims issues, denied coverage, referrals, or prescription authorizations. Advocates are available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST at 833-355-8939 or bac.duadvocates@ajg.com.听听

Meet with a Benefits Specialist

During Open Enrollment, drop-in hours are Monday through Thursday 10:00am to 4:00pm. Schedule an appointment听by emailing the benefits@du.edu inbox.

  • Email: Benefits@du.edu
  • Address: 2199 S. University Blvd., 黑料门, CO 80210
  • Location: Mary Reed Building, 4th Floor, Room 403 & 404
  • Availability: Monday through Thursday听from 10:00am - 4:00pm

Additional Resources

Open Enrollment Materials

Please find additional open enrollment materials that include presentations, communications, and both Cigna and Kaiser Permanente plan summaries.

2025

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Benefits Advocate Center

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DU Benefits & Wellbeing