Look here for announcements and updates about Open Enrollment
for employees of The Arc of Washington County for the benefit plan year that starts January 1, 2026.
At The Arc of Washington County, we know that benefit requirements change. That’s why we have an Open Enrollment period each year.
For most employee benefits, Open Enrollment is the only time of year you are allowed to make enrollment changes unless you experience a qualifying life event such as marriage, divorce, birth or placement of a child, losing or gaining eligibility for other coverage, etc. During Open Enrollment, you should consider the benefits you have today and ask yourself if they will serve you and your loved ones well in the coming plan year.
Open Enrollment starts Monday, November 10, 2025, and ends Friday, November 14, 2025.
- Do you need help enrolling? Make an appointment to see a benefits counselor: tinyurl.com/2026Enroll
- Do you want to self-enroll or decline coverage? These instructions can help.
- Do you want to decline all coverage? Complete a waiver and return it to HR. (Waiver will be available once Open Enrollment starts.)
Here’s what’s new and improved for 2026:
- No premium increase for full-time employees on all medical and dental plans—for the seventh year in a row! The Arc WC is covering any additional plan costs to keep your share steady.
- Active enrollment required: From November 10–14, you must actively choose your benefits; nothing will auto-renew. Benefit counselors will be available for one-on-one support—sign up at tinyurl.com/2026Enroll.
- New hearing aid benefit: For the first time, our medical plans will include coverage for hearing aids, helping you access this important care. ( A $1,400 benefit every 36 months if medically necessary.)
- International drug sourcing: To help manage rising pharmaceutical costs for a list of specific drugs, we’re introducing a voluntary program that allows you to receive eligible prescription medications at no cost, while helping control overall plan expenses and premiums. Please be sure to review at your open enrollment counseling session.
- New voluntary Trustmark Life + Care benefit: This offers permanent life insurance combined with long-term care coverage. Existing Universal Life and Whole Life policies through Transamerica and UNUM will transition to direct billing, allowing you to maintain your coverage by paying the same premiums directly. Instructions will be provided at open enrollment counseling sessions.
What do you need to do?
- There is no automatic enrollment for your 2026 benefits; you have to make new elections for the new plan year. If you were hired on or before 10/31/2025 and want to have benefits in 2026, you need to enroll during Open Enrollment in order to have any insurance benefits in 2026. The same is true if you want to decline benefits in 2026. Exceptions: Open Enrollment does not affect your 403(b) retirement plan enrollment, any current Universal Life policies with Transamerica, or any current Whole Life policies with Unum.
- If you are currently enrolled, review your current benefits and consider any changes you may wish to make for 2026. See below for more information on how to review your current benefits.
- You can also add, change, decline, or drop coverage for yourself and your eligible dependents during Open Enrollment.
- It is always a good idea to review and name your life insurance beneficiaries.
- Make an appointment to meet 1-on-1 with a benefits consultant during Open Enrollment by signing up at sign-up at tinyurl.com/2026Enroll.
- Starting November 10, you will be able to self-enroll on Paycor’s benefits platform. Here are instructions on how to self-enroll.
- Be aware that some rates may change for 2026. If you enroll in a plan that uses your age to determine your rates – such as voluntary term life insurance – and you had a milestone birthday (one ending in a 0 or 5), the cost of your coverage will likely increase next year. Any rate changes won’t be available until Open Enrollment starts on November 4.
If you were hired on or before October 31, 2025, and you work 20 or more hours a week, you are eligible for employee benefits and must make decisions about your coverage for 2026.
If you schedule an enrollment appointment, please be prepared for it: Know the names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and addresses of your dependents and beneficiaries. Please help keep us on schedule by sticking to your appointed time.
Information is available. Learn before you enroll! Be on the lookout for informational emails, videos, and plan materials starting in October 2025.
Open Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions
How can I confirm what I’m currently enrolled in? Use Paycor to view your current enrollment elections under My Benefits in the app or in Paycor under People > Benefits on a browser.
Can I self-enroll? Yes! Self-service online enrollment will be available 24/7 from November 10 through 14, 2025. Here are instructions on how to self-enroll.
How do I get an enrollment appointment with a benefits counselor? Visit tinyurl.com/2026Enroll and sign-up for an appointment with a benefits consultant. Appointments are available every 20 minutes from 7:00 am through 5 pm Monday, November 10 through Thursday, November 13. Please note that appointments are not being taken for Friday, November 14. Instead, we will be taking enrollments on a first-come, first-served basis from 7 am until noon – and you may need to wait in line. If you need help getting online to make the appointment, ask the person in your department who handles scheduling to help you make the appointment or contact Janis Williamson in Human Resources.
I’m confused about my options. Where can I get more information? For more information, take a look at the downloadable documents below in PDF format. We will be adding documents as we get them – and we appreciate your patience:
- 2026 One-Sheet Summary of Benefits
- 2026 Employee Benefits Guide (booklet)
- For Your Benefit – and Your Reference After You Enroll – includes carrier contacts and other important information for all plans.
- Aetna Health Plan Summary of Benefits and Coverage for 2026 (for all health plan options)
- Aetna High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)-Plan Design and Benefits
- Aetna Network Services Only Health Plan (NSOnly)-Plan Design and Benefits
- Teladoc – affordable telehealth services available through your Aetna medical plan.
- RxBenefits + CVS/Caremark Summary of Prescription Drug Benefits
- 2026 Healthy Steps flyer – a voluntary wellness program in collaboration with Peak Health. For more information, visit this page: mymonarc.org/healthysteps
- Certification Regarding Tobacco Use
- Aetna Base Dental Plan
- Aetna Buy-up Dental Plan
- MetLaw brochure – discount legal services through Hyatt Legal Plans.
- VBA Vision Plan Summary with wallet-sized reference card.
- Your Hearing Network – a discount hearing program included at no additional cost with your VBA vision plan enrollment.
- Voluntary Accident coverage with The Hartford (highlights)
- Voluntary Critical Illness coverage with The Hartford (highlights)
- Voluntary Hospital Indemnity coverage with The Hartford (highlights)
- The Hartford Evidence of Insurability (EOI) – you will need to complete this form if you are applying for a new enrollment in Voluntary Life or Voluntary Long-Term Disability (other than those who are in their new hire enrollment period).
- Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Notice (October 2025)
- Allsup Medicare Transition Services
If you have other questions, just let me know. During Open Enrollment, the best way to reach me will be by email.
Posted by Janis Williamson, SHRM-CP
Last updated: October 30, 2025