Open Enrollment

What is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment is the time for benefits-eligible employees to enroll in medical, dental, life, and vision insurance plans or make changes to their existing coverage. These changes may include switching medical plans, adding or dropping coverage, adding or removing dependents, and establishing or modifying Flexible Spending Account (FSA) elections.

All enrollments and changes made during this year’s Open Enrollment will be effective Jan. 1, 2027, and will remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2027.

Open Enrollment will begin on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, and close on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026.

During this period, you can review and select healthcare coverage and other benefits that best meet your needs and those of your family. Your medical plan plays an important role in your healthcare experience, making it essential to carefully consider your options.

This Open Enrollment period will be PASSIVE. This means that if you do not complete the enrollment process during Open Enrollment, your current coverage elections, except FSA elections, will automatically carry over to the new plan year. If you are not currently enrolled in medical coverage and do not elect coverage during Open Enrollment, your lack of response will be considered a waiver of medical coverage for the 2027 plan year.

The University will continue to offer health coverage through Cigna Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente in 2027. Available medical plan options include the Copay Plan and the High-Deductible Health Plan. Detailed information about plan designs and coverage options is available in the Benefits Guide and Summaries.

Good News!

Although the University’s share of medical premiums has increased significantly, employee premium contributions will remain unchanged for 2027. This means your monthly payroll deductions for medical coverage will stay the same.

Several resources are available to help you understand this year’s benefit options. Please use the links below to access the information. 

Many resources are available for help understanding this year’s benefit options, click links below for resources:

Benefits Guides and Important Updates

Employee Benefits Guide

Benefits Guide 2027 for Jan. 1, 2027 - Dec. 31, 2027

Employee Premium Contribution Rate Sheet

Employee Benefit Premium Contributions 2027for Jan. 1, 2027 - Dec. 31, 2027

New Offering: Voluntary Hospital Indemnity

We are excited to announce that we are adding Hospital Indemnity insurance to our Voluntary Benefits offering! This benefit pays cash benefits when you or a covered family member experiences a covered hospital admission or confinement due to an illness or injury. These benefits are paid in addition to medical plan benefits and can be used for any purpose.

Plus, a $50 health screening benefit is also available once per calendar year for each covered person who completes an eligible screening!

Update: Voluntary Life Insurance – You can elect increases with No Evidence of Insurability

During this annual open enrollment, current participants can increase their Voluntary Life by one benefit level of $10,000 as long as the benefit does not exceed the Guaranteed Issue Maximum of $250,000 without Evidence of Insurability, provided you are “actively at work”.

Instructions to Enroll in Benefits

  • Go to 

  • Click on the Benefit Enrollment System (BES) under the Open Enrollment widget or the Employee Tools Widget. 

  • Review the information on the Welcome to Benefits Enrollment p.

  • Go to the Click here to begin Open Enrollment bܳٳٴDz.

  • Begin the enrollment process.

  • If you are adding new dependents, you will add the dependent(s) on this page.

  • Click on Add Dependent button, enter required demographic information, click the save button 

  • Continue the same process if adding additional dependents. 

  • If adding a dependent(s), employees are ܾ to provide dependent verification documentation such as a marriage license for your spouse/partner and a birth certificate for your dependent children.

  • Click on Upload Supporting Documents, select dependent from the drop down, select document type from drop down, choose document file, click upload

  • Click Next to begin making your benefit choices. 

Medical Plan Options

Cigna Copay and Kaiser HMO

The Copay and HMO Plans have set copays for some services and a deductible and coinsurance for others. Copays do not apply toward your deductible, so you will pay copays until you reach your annual out-of-pocket maximum.

Cigna and Kaiser - High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP)

With the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), you pay the full negotiated cost for medical services and prescription drugs with the exception of preventive care which is covered at 100%, until you meet your annual deductible. If you are enrolled in the HDHP, you may be eligible to contribute tax-free dollars in a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for eligible medical expenses. You choose when to use the money in your HSA account. It rolls over from year to year, allowing the balance to increase. Eligibility restrictions and contribution limits apply and are subject to change annually.

Customer Service Availability

Cigna

Cigna’s One Guide Service offers 24/7/365 customer support, providing help whenever you need it. You can reach them anytime at 888-806-5042. 

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser member services are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 800-632-9700. Members also have 24/7 access online at  

Benefits Fair

Please join us for the Benefits Fair. Representatives from our benefits providers, including Cigna and Kaiser Permanente, will be available in person to share information, answer questions, and help you learn more about the University’s benefits plans and programs. Complimentary chair massages will also be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We look forward to seeing you! Event details are provided below.

  • Date: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026
  • Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Location: Community Commons, Room 1700
  • Address: 2055 E. Evans Avenue, 91, CO 80208

Accommodations for Benefits Enrollment Period

To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation for the benefits enrollment process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at 303-871-3941 or email ada.coordinator@du.edu.

Assistance with Benefits Questions and Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment Information Sessions

We understand that Open Enrollment involves important decisions and may raise questions about your benefits. To help you make informed choices, we are offering the following virtual information sessions:

  • Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, from 9 to 10 a.m. -

  • Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, from 2 to 3 p.m. -

Frequently Asked Questions

For frequently asked questions, please take a look at our ongoing Open Enrollment FAQs

Connect with your Benefits Advocate Center (BAC)

The Benefits Advocate Center can help with questions, billing or claims issues, denied coverage, referrals, or prescription authorizations. Advocates are available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST at 833-355-8939 or bac.duadvocates@ajg.com. į

Meet with a Benefits Specialist

Our Benefits Team is available to assist you throughout Open Enrollment. Whether you have questions about your benefits options, need help navigating the enrollment process, or would like assistance reviewing your elections, our Benefits Specialists are here to help.

Drop-in assistance is available Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You may also schedule an individual appointment by contacting the Benefits Team at benefits@du.edu.

  • Address: 2601 E. Colorado Avenue (AOB)

  • Location: 2nd Floor

  • Availability: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Additional Resources

Open Enrollment Materials

For your convenience, links to important Open Enrollment resources are provided below for easy access. These materials include benefits presentations, communications, plan summaries, and other helpful information to assist you in reviewing your options and making informed benefits decisions.

Contact

 

Benefits Advocate Center

Contact

 

DU Benefits