Open enrollment resources for employers

October 1-31, 2026

During open enrollment, eligible subscribers can change their coverage for the upcoming year. Any changes they make during open enrollment take effect January 1, 2027. Life insurance changes are effective January 1, 2027, or when MetLife approves coverage, whichever is later. Below are helpful employer resources to use during open enrollment.

Watch the Preparing for open enrollment employer training video. Make note of any questions you might have, then join a virtual training session with Employer Services. We will announce dates and times for sessions in PEBA Update.

Highlights for 2027

  • Active employee, funded retiree, partially funded retiree, non-funded retiree, COBRA subscriber, survivor and former spouse health insurance premiums will not increase in 2027.
  • If you are an optional employer, see reminders below about your rates.
  • State Vision Plan premiums will increase. 
  • Prescriptions for GLP-1 medications will be limited to 30-day fills for SilverScript members.

Your responsibility as an employer

  • View the Employer open enrollment checklist.
  • Review other insurance products you might offer. You cannot offer an insurance benefit that is available through or in direct competition with PEBA. You can offer products not available through and not in direct competition with PEBA; however, premiums for those products cannot be paid pretax through MoneyPlus.
  • Complete the ACA requirements for the Standard Administrative Period.
  • Distribute hard copies of federally mandated notices to employees by Wednesday, October 1.
  • Provide employees with a link to PEBA’s open enrollment webpage.
  • Encourage employees to use MyBenefits to:
    • Review current coverage and life insurance beneficiaries, even if they don’t plan to make changes.
    • Update their mailing address and email address, if applicable.
    • Make open enrollment changes and upload supporting documentation.
    • Reenroll in MoneyPlus flexible spending accounts.
  • Prepare and issue the COBRA initial notice(s), if applicable.
  • Review the COBRA employer training for more details.
  • Approve all employee-initiated transactions in EBS in a timely manner. Review the Suspense Inquiry in EBS daily and correct any errors in a timely manner. Document all changes for appropriate recordkeeping.
    • Note employees can change their open enrollment elections through October 31, even if you have already approved an open enrollment transaction in EBS. Approving the EBS transaction does not prevent the employee from initiating another change in MyBenefits.
    • PEBA does not provide employer a report of open enrollment transactions. After PEBA applies open enrollment transactions in late November, use the daily HAC470 accounting report to identify elections effective January 1, 2027.
  • Any open enrollment transactions must be postmarked by November 15.
  • In December, log in to EBS to view Enrollment Report HIS759 for a list of open enrollment transactions that have not been approved. PEBA will purge outstanding transactions in mid-December.
  • Confirm January 2027 payroll deductions correspond with approved open enrollment transactions. Advise employees to review payroll deductions in January 2027.
  • Submit updated SLTD salary information in EBS. Confirm salary information is accurate prior to submission.
    Not applicable for Comptroller General agencies.

Reminder for optional employers

Optional employers must apply their load factor to both the employer and subscriber shares of the health premium. PEBA sent written notification of load factors to applicable employers in March. You can also refer to the Active Rate with Load Factor report (HTB527) and Individual Rate with Load Factor report (HTB528) Use the monthly premium worksheet for optional employers to communicate your health premiums to subscribers.

Publications and resources

How to make changes

The easiest way for subscribers to make coverage selections during open enrollment is through MyBenefits.

Keep in mind, changes to existing dental coverage can be made during open enrollment only in odd-numbered years. The next opportunity to make a change will be October 2027, or within 31 days of a special eligibility situation.

Some coverage changes, including enrolling a dependent who is not currently covered under any benefit, require supporting documentation. Subscribers can upload documents through MyBenefits. PEBA must receive the documents by December 1, 2026, to approve the changes. Subscribers can learn how to upload documents in our “Uploading Supporting Documents in MyBenefits” video.

Life insurance changes during open enrollment

If an active employee wants to enroll in or increase their Optional Life or Dependent Life-Spouse coverage, they must complete an Active Notice of Election for plan year 2027, sign it and return it to their benefits administrator by October 31, 2026. Review the NOE to confirm the elected coverage amount is allowed and initiate the Life Insurance Statement of Health Request In EBS. View the Electronic life insurance Statement of Health process for complete instructions.

Keep the NOE until you receive the approval report from MetLife. Employees should submit separate NOEs for Optional Life and Dependent Life-Spouse and make all other open enrollment changes through MyBenefits.

The employee must complete the online Statement of Health they will receive in an email from MetLife. If MetLife approves the coverage, the benefits administrator and employee will receive notification.

When you receive approval for coverage from MetLife, submit the NOE and a copy of the MetLife approval report to PEBA.

The employee should make all other open enrollment changes through MyBenefits.

New hires, transfers and special eligibility situations

During October, November and December, you might have new hires, transfers or employees with a special eligibility situation. Watch the Preparing for open enrollment employer training video for details on how to manage these events.