Benefits Open Enrollment for Plan Year 2027
The Benefits Open Enrollment period is October 5 – October 30, 2026! This is an annual opportunity for benefits eligible employees to enroll in or make changes to most benefits for the upcoming calendar year. Benefits Open Enrollment is the only time employees are eligible to make changes without a qualifying life event, such as a family or employment status change.
Changes made during open enrollment will be effective January 1, 2027.
During the open enrollment period eligible employees may elect to:
- Enroll in coverage if currently uninsured
- Change health plans or other covered plans
- Change the level of coverage (i.e. Single to family)
- Cancel coverage
2027 benefits information is summarized on the Universities of Wisconsin Open Enrollment website. The Universities of Wisconsin provides additional resources to explain benefit options for plan year 2027.
- Open Enrollment Video (Coming Soon)
- 2027 Benefits Decision Guide
- Universities of Wisconsin Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment Benefits and Wellness Fair – October 7
UWM is hosting an Open Enrollment Benefits and Wellness Fair on October 7, in the UWM Student Union, Wisconsin Room. See below for event details.
Benefits Open Enrollment Fair
Date: October 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 A.M. — 2:00 P.M.
Location: Student Union, Wisconsin Room B
At the open enrollment fair, employees can find information on benefits and speak with benefit vendor partners and UWM benefit specialists on benefit enrollment questions.
Flu Clinic
Date: October 7, 2026
Time: 9:00 A.M. — 2:30 P.M.
Location: Student Union, Wisconsin Room C
One of three onsite flu clinics offered to UWM employees and spouses enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program.
- Preregistration is required. To register for a flu vaccination appointment, log into the WebMD Health portal and click “Register Today” on the Flu Vaccination card found in the Benefits portion of the portal.
- A valid medical ID will need to be presented at the flu clinic.
- Once registered, complete the digital consent form.
Wellness Fair
Date: October 7, 2026
Time: 10:00 A.M. — 2:00 P.M.
Location: Student Union, Wisconsin Room A
The wellness fair gives employees an opportunity to step away from work and enjoy some fun and relaxing activities including chair massages, therapy dogs, fun games, creative art projects and some light snacks.
Open Enrollment Benefits Overview
The benefits department will host a special in person open enrollment benefits overview on October 5th at 2:00 P.M. in Engelmann Hall, Room 105. This session will provide a review of important benefit changes for 2027 regarding health insurance and supplementary benefit offerings. Employees are encouraged to attend this in-person session to learn about the upcoming open enrollment period and have their benefit questions answered by a benefit specialist.
- Date: October 5, 2026
- Time: 2:00 P.M.
- Location: Engelmann Hall, Room 105
Open Enrollment Walk-in Sessions and Virtual Appointments
The UWM benefits team is holding in-person and virtual open enrollment sessions which allow employees to speak directly with a benefits specialist to ask questions and receive assistance. These sessions are not intended to provide a comprehensive benefit overview but serve as an opportunity for employees to ask questions and seek clarification on open enrollment items.
No registration is required for walk-in sessions, but employees are encouraged to bring a laptop, review relevant benefit materials ahead of time, setup their MyWisconsin ID and come prepared with questions.
Walk-in Sessions
Walk-in sessions are held in Engelmann Hall, Room 122.
| Date | Time | Location | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 14, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. | Engelmann Hall, Room 122 | All Employees |
| October 20, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. | Engelmann Hall, Room 122 | All Employees |
| October 21, 2026 | 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. | Engelmann Hall, Room 122 | All Employees |
| October 29, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. | Engelmann Hall, Room 122 | All Employees |
| October 30, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. | Engelmann Hall, Room 122 | All Employees |
Virtual Benefits Sessions
If employees are unable to attend the walk-in sessions, they can schedule a virtual one-on-one consultation. Registration is required for virtual benefit sessions. See the schedule and links below to register for a virtual appointment.
| Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|
| October 13, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. | Virtual Benefits Session Registration |
| October 14, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. | Virtual Benefits Session Registration |
| October 20, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. | Virtual Benefits Session Registration |
| October 21, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. | Virtual Benefits Session Registration |
| October 27, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. | Virtual Benefits Session Registration |
| October 28, 2026 | 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. | Virtual Benefits Session Registration |
The Universities of Wisconsin is also hosting virtual presentations to review upcoming benefits changes.
- Benefits Open Enrollment Presentations
- Watch the Open Enrollment Video Recording (Coming Soon)
Enrolling or Making Changes to Benefits During Open Enrollment
Enrolling in benefits for 2027 may be a multi-step process if you have not created your My Benefits account. You will need a My Benefits account to access the benefits enrollment system called My Insurance Benefits.
- This is a one-time registration process that you must complete prior to enrolling in benefits. For instructions on how to create a My Benefits account, review Set Up Account in My Benefits.
- Once you have created a My Benefits account, My Insurance Benefits can be accessed two different ways:
- Log into Workday then go to Personal > Benefits and Pay > Suggested Links > My Benefits
- Directly at ETF My Benefits
- Once logged into My Insurance Benefits, review your current benefit elections and dependents and enroll for the 2027 plan year starting October 5 – October 30, 2026, at 4:30 P.M.
- If you add your spouse or dependent children to your benefits, you will be required to provide their full name, Social Security Number, date of birth, and documentation (marriage certificate for your spouse or birth certificates for your dependent children). Benefit elections could be delayed if dependent verifications are not received timely.
2027 Plan Changes and Other Considerations
Premium Rates
- Health plan premium rates for most employees will increase 5% for the 2027 plan year.
Changes to Non-High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs)
- The medical deductible has increased from $250 to $400 for an individual and from $500 to $800 for a family.
- The medical OOPL has increased from $1,250 to $1,400 for an individual and from $2,500 to $2,800 for a family.
- Emergency room copays will change from $75 to $125.
Changes to the HDHP
- The combined medical and pharmacy deductible has increased from $1,700 to $2,000 for an individual and from $3,400 to $4,000 for a family.
- The combined medical and pharmacy OOPL has increased from $2,500 to $3,500 for an individual and from $5,000 to $7,000 for a family.
- Emergency room copays will change from $75 to $125.
Pharmacy Benefit Changes
- Level 1 copays are increasing to a maximum of $10.
- Level 2 copays are increasing to 25% with a $60 maximum.
- Level 3 copays are increasing to 45% with a $175 maximum.
- Level 4 copays are increasing to $60.
- There will be a new level on the pharmacy formulary for anti-obesity medications (AOMs) only with a copay of $200.
- The new OOPL for all pharmacy levels will be $1,325 for an individual, $2,650 for a family.
Wisconsin Retirement System
- Employee and employer contributions to the WRS will increase to 7.25% for most employees effective January 1, 2027.
State Group Life Insurance & Other Changes
- Employee coverage premium will increase 5% for most age groups effective April 1, 2027. Spouse & Dependent coverage premium will remain the same.
For more information on benefit changes visit:
Other Reminders
- There is no open enrollment opportunity for the following plans, but you can apply at any time with proof of good health: State Group Life Insurance, Individual & Family Life Insurance, Income Continuation Insurance
- You can enroll in the following plans at any time: Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, UW 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program (SRP), Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (457) Program, Parking & Transit Accounts, Long-term Care Insurance