2027 State Employee Health Plan and Optional Group Life Open Enrollment October 1-31, 2026

2027 Open Enrollment Information

Open Enrollment for 2027 benefits will take place October 1 through October 31, 2026, for all university employees.

Attend an Open Enrollment Information Session

The KU / KUMC Benefits Departments will host nine Open Enrollment information sessions throughout October. These sessions will provide an overview of the enrollment process, highlight benefit plan changes for 2027, and offer employees an opportunity to ask questions to KU Benefits staff.

To register for a session in MyTalent, please follow these steps:

  1. Click the link below to access your MyTalent employee dashboard.
  2. Select the Learning section (identified by the blue and white lightbulb icon).
  3. In the Search for Learning field located in the upper-left corner, enter "2027 State Employee Health Plan Informational Webinar."
  4. Select your preferred session date, then click the Register icon to complete your enrollment.

Note: You must register separately for each session you wish to attend.

Enrollment Essentials

Benefits-eligible employees will receive an email from the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) in late September announcing that the enrollment portal will open on October 1, 2026.

Active Enrollment Required

Open Enrollment is an active enrollment process, which means all benefit-eligible employees must log in to the State’s Member Administration Portal (MAP) to either elect benefits or waive coverage for 2027.

  • Benefit elections from 2026 will not carry forward to 2027.
  • Employees who currently have medical coverage and do not complete enrollment will automatically be enrolled in Medical Plan N.
  • Employees who were enrolled in State benefits in 2026 but wish to decline coverage for 2027 must access MAP and actively waive coverage.

Making Changes

  • Employees may make changes to their benefit elections through October 31, 2026. Please note that any changes made during Open Enrollment require completion of the entire enrollment process. 

    Your final submission received by October 31 will determine your benefit elections for 2027.

Need Assistance?

  • If you have questions about your benefits, please email benefits@ku.edu or schedule a one-on-one meeting with a KU Benefits Specialist between October 1 and October 30.
  • Before scheduling an appointment, we encourage you to review the information and resources available on the State’s benefits website, as many common questions can be answered through those materials.

Rate Changes

Differential Medical Rates: Employee medical premiums vary based on the vendor selected.

  • Aetna: No premium increase for 2027

  • BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas — 10% premium increase for 2027

    While premiums differ by vendor, all State medical plans provide the same covered services and are administered consistently across plan options. If you are considering switching to Aetna, be sure to confirm that your providers participate in the Aetna network before making a change.

    Dental premiums will increase by 3.3% for employees covering a spouse and/or dependent children. Employee-only dental coverage remains at no cost to the employee.

    For complete premium details, please refer to the  2027 State Benefits Booklet

GLP-1 Medications: The BMI eligibility requirement will remain unchanged at 35. Beginning in 2027, a $200 copay will apply to GLP-1 prescriptions, in addition to any applicable plan deductibles, copays, or other cost-sharing requirements.

FSA / HSA / HRA Updates:

MetLife will continue to serve as the plan administrator. However, account funds will now be managed by HealthEquity rather than MetLife.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Reminders

  • Health Care and Limited Purpose FSA: Up to $660 may be rolled over into the next plan year. Any balance exceeding $660 at the end of the calendar year will be forfeited.
  • Dependent Care FSA: Funds from the 2026 plan year may be used for eligible expenses incurred through March 16, 2027. Reimbursement requests for 2026 expenses must be submitted by April 30, 2027.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Contribution Limits for 2027

The IRS has not yet finalized 2027 FSA contribution limits. Current 2026 limits are:

  • Health Care / Limited Purpose FSA: $3,400
  • Dependent Care FSA: $7,500 for employees who are single or married filing jointly
  • Dependent Care FSA: $3,750 for employees who are married and filing separately

Health Savings Account (HSA) Contribution Limits for 2027

  • Employee Only: $4,500 (up from $4,400 in 2026)

  • Employee + Dependent(s): $9,000 (up from $8,750 in 2026)

    Individuals age 55 or older may contribute an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution.

HealthQuest Wellness Incentive Program (Marathon Health)

  • Earn points by November 13, 2026 to qualify for 2026 HSA Reward Dollars.
  • Earn points by December 31, 2026 to qualify for the 2027 premium discount.

Helpful Resources

Questions?

2027 Semi-Monthly Insurance Premiums (24 paychecks per year)
Plan/VendorEmployee OnlyEmployee & SpouseEmployee & Child(ren)Employee & Family
Plan A Aetna$40.70$242.02$129.09$423.71
Plan A BCBSKS$44.77$266.22$142.00$466.08
Plan C Aetna$35.90$126.16$66.32$212.50
Plan C BCBSKS$39.49$138.78$72.95$233.75
Plan J Aetna$53.61$156.45$93.10$268.05
Plan J BCBSKS$58.97$172.10$102.41$294.86
Plan N Aetna$23.72$85.99$44.80$153.17
Plan N BCBSKS$26.09$94.59$49.28$168.49
Dental$0.00$10.64$8.51$19.18
Vision Basic$1.94$3.99$3.61$5.75
Vision Enhanced$3.88$7.89$7.12$11.04

*Rates are based on benefits-eligible full-time employment (75% to 100% FTE)

*HealthQuest Wellness Program discounts are not included in the rates shown.