I want to follow up on my earlier message about open enrollment and share two important updates.
Several community members noted that the 2027 Benefits Guide reflects a change to the out-of-pocket maximum for the PPO health plan. I did not explicitly call out this change in my initial email or In the Loop presentation, and I appreciate those who took the time to flag it. The individual out-of-pocket maximum is changing from $3,500 to $4,250, and the family out-of-pocket maximum is changing from $7,000 to $8,500.
Transparency is important to us in HR, and I regret that this detail was not clearly highlighted from the start. The updated out-of-pocket maximum applies beginning in the 2027 plan year, and full details are available in the 2027 Benefits Guide. As always, we encourage you to review the guide carefully so you understand how plan features may affect your individual situation.
We are also aware that some employees have experienced issues with the link that was sent to access the benefits portal. To avoid further confusion, please use this updated benefits link going forward. This page will direct you our Single Sign-On, which will log you into the benefits portal.
As part of our continued effort to make benefits information easier to understand and navigate, we are also introducing a new electronic benefits guide for this open enrollment period. This guide was developed in partnership with Brite and is intended to supplement the traditional PDF benefits guide.
The electronic guide includes more detailed explanations of each plan, along with a built-in decision support tool to help you compare options and consider which coverage may best fit your needs. By answering a few questions, employees can receive personalized insights to support their medical plan elections during open enrollment.
We encourage you to use the electronic guide alongside the traditional benefits guide as you review your options and make your elections this year.
I understand that benefits decisions are personal and important, and I want to reiterate our commitment to clear, timely, and accurate communication. If you have questions about this change, need help navigating the portal, or would like to talk through your options, please reach out or attend office hours.
Warmly,
