Important 2026 Benefits Updates

Premiums

Benefits Administration strives to offer a wide choice of benefits. Health insurance premiums are increasing due to the higher cost of delivering care.

  • State and higher education active members and retirees: Health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 5.7%.
  • Local education active members and retirees: Health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 5.0%.
  • Local government active members and retirees: Health insurance premiums will increase by an average of 7.7%.

Specific premium increases will vary slightly depending on the health plan, network and coverage tier you choose. For active employees, your premium is automatically deducted from your paycheck each month.

 

Pharmacy

For 2026, pharmacy costs are increasing mainly due to weight loss and specialty medications. Here are the 2026 pharmacy cost-sharing changes:

  •  Members will pay 25% coinsurance for medications prescribed for weight loss for all plans.
  • Members will pay 30% coinsurance for in-network specialty medications for all plans.
  • A separate maximum out-of-pocket amount will be added for specialty drugs obtained through the pharmacy benefit. The amount varies based on employee tier and plan selected.

Personalized exercise therapy benefits are changing for 2026! All Partners for Health PPO and CDHP members enrolled with BlueCross BlueShield or Cigna will have access to Hinge Health for personalized exercise therapy at no additional cost.

 

Networks

BlueCross BlueShield and Cigna will remain the health insurance carriers, and you can choose from the same four provider networks, but the monthly cost for the expanded networks will increase in 2026 for all tiers.

  • BlueCross BlueShield Network S and Cigna LocalPlus: These are efficient networks, and you will save money with them. If your providers are in these networks, either may be your best choice. 
  • BlueCross BlueShield Network P and Cigna Open Access Plus: If you can’t find your providers in the efficient networks, then you could consider these expanded networks. The monthly premiums for the expanded networks are higher because providers charge more in the expanded networks. For all health plan options, the 2026 additional monthly costs will be:
    • Employee-only tier – $90 per month
    • Employee+child(ren) tier – $100 per month
    • Employee+spouse and employee+spouse+child(ren) tiers – $180 per month

 

Dental PPO

The Dental Preferred Provider Organization carrier will change to MetLife in 2026. The Dental Health Maintenance Organization - Prepaid Provider carrier will continue to be Cigna.

  • Dental DPPO plan rates will stay the same for the employee-only and employee+spouse tiers. Rates will increase by 25% per month for the employee+child(ren) tier and 20% per month for the employee+spouse+child(ren) tier.
  • 2026 DPPO benefit changes eliminate waiting periods for all enrolled members.
  • DHMO Prepaid Provider plan rates will stay the same for all plan members.

 

HSA/FSA

TASC will be the new vendor for health savings accounts for members who enroll in a consumer-driven health plan. If you enroll in a CDHP/HSA, please watch for more information about your HSA. TASC will also be the new flexible spending account vendor for central state and state higher education employees who choose to enroll in these accounts.