Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment for 2026 takes place October 27 through November 10. Eligible employees can review their benefit coverage options and make selections for the upcoming calendar year.
Total Rewards
Open Enrollment is coming soon
Open Enrollment for 2026 takes place October 27 through November 10. Check back on October 13 for more information.
The University of Rochester offers a total rewards package that goes beyond the basics. We’re proud to offer a variety of benefit opportunities that empower our employees to live their best lives. You can use this page to navigate the 2026 benefits, including understanding what’s new and changing this year, and how you can enroll.
2026 Benefit Highlights
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
HSA contribution limits have increased to $4,400 for single or $8,750 for plans with dependents and University HSA funding returns for eligible employees. To receive the University HSA funding, eligible employees must enroll in the UR Health Savings ER Contribution Plan during Open Enrollment.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
FSA contribution limits have increased to $3,300 for a Health Care or Limited Purpose FSA and $7,500 per household for a Dependent Care FSA. For rollover information, please see the FSA page.
YOUR PPO and YOUR HSA-Eligible Plan Design Updates for 2026
For the 2026 plan year, there are changes to the YOUR PPO and YOUR HSA-Eligible Plans. Please review the 2026 Health Plans Comparison Chart and 2026 Health Program Guide for important details. We encourage you to use the ALEX Tool, an interactive resource that leverages behavioral science and data-driven analytics to help you identify the plan that best fits your needs.
Well-U Incentive Increase
Starting January 1, 2026, the University will increase Well-U wellness incentives to help manage healthcare expenses and support overall wellbeing. Eligible participants, along with their spouse or domestic partner, enrolled in a University Health Plan, can EACH earn up to $450 in 2026 by participating in Well-U programs:
- $150 for completing Survey 1 of your Personal Health Assessment, followed by Survey 2 and your biometric screening
- $150 for completing an eligible lifestyle management program
- $150 for completing eligible condition management coaching (edited)
How to Enroll
The process to enroll in benefits varies by the benefit type. Review these instructions to find out which benefits require you to take action and where to enroll.
How to enroll video
Health care and dental care
Log in to myURHR Workday and select the 2026 Open Enrollment link located in your myURHR Workday Task Inbox.
Action is required in order to:
- Change your Health Plan – PPO or HSA-Eligible
- Change your Dental Plan – Traditional or Medallion
- Change your Dependents – add or remove a spouse, domestic partner, or child
- Waive coverage
Action is not required if you want to keep your current health and dental plan coverage, which will rollover to 2026.
Flexible spending account and health savings account
Log in to myURHR Workday and select the 2026 Open Enrollment link located in your myURHR Workday Task Inbox.
Action is required if you want to
- Elect a Flexible Spending Account
- Elect to contribute to a Health Savings Account
2025 FSA and HSA elections will not rollover to 2026.
Vision Care and MetLife Legal Plan
Log in to myURHR Workday and select the YOUR Benefits Extras link located on the left side of your myURHR Workday homepage.
Action is required if you want to:
- Enroll for the first time
- Change your plan – Vision Basic or Vision Plus
- Cancel your coverage
Action is not required if you want to keep the same VSP Vision Care and/or MetLife Legal Plan, which will rollover to 2026.
Life insurance
Log in to myURHR Workday and select the Securian Financial link located on the left side of your myURHR Workday homepage.
Action is required if you want to:
- Elect Group Universal Life insurance for the first time
- Increase your existing GUL coverage by one times (1x) your salary; not to exceed a total of eight times (8x) salary or $1,500,000 (whichever is less) without proof of good health. This special opportunity is only available this year and even if you have previously been declined coverage
- Change your beneficiaries
Action is not required if you want to keep the same Group Universal Life insurance coverage, which will rollover to 2026.
Retirees
Retirees do not enroll for benefits via myURHR Workday. To make changes to your health and/or dental plans, email retireebenefits@ur.rochester.edu to request an open enrollment form. If you are Medicare eligible, please contact Via Benefits at 1-833-945-1110 to make any changes to your health plans.