{"id":10712,"date":"2026-09-10T10:28:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T17:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/?page_id=10712"},"modified":"2026-09-11T16:08:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T23:08:36","slug":"overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/open-enrollment\/overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Enrollment overview"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87_1 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/open-enrollment\/overview\/#What-to-know\" >What to know:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/open-enrollment\/overview\/#Preparing-for-Open-Enrollment\" >Preparing for Open Enrollment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/open-enrollment\/overview\/#How-to-make-changes-during-Open-Enrollment\" >How to make changes during Open Enrollment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/open-enrollment\/overview\/#Benefit-changes-you-can-make-anytime\" >Benefit changes you can make anytime<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #4b2e83;\">\n<p style=\"color: #ffffff; padding: 20px 20px 20px 20px;\"><strong>Open Enrollment runs October 26 &#8211; November 23, 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-to-know\"><\/span>What to know:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Open Enrollment is a once-a-year opportunity for PEBB benefits-eligible employees to enroll in or make changes to their medical, dental and visions elections and enroll in a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose FSA (LFSA) and\/or the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP). Open Enrollment changes are made in Workday and go into effect the following January 1. Open Enrollment is the only time each year employees can change their benefits elections unless they experience a <a href=\"https:\/\/employeehelp.workday.uw.edu\/your-benefits\/changing\/life-events\/\">qualifying life event<\/a>\u00a0(such as marriage or the birth of a child).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mark your calendar:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This year, Open Enrollment runs<strong><em> October 26 \u2013 November 23<\/em><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>As always, during Open Enrollment, you can:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enroll in or change your medical, vision and\/or dental coverage.<\/li>\n<li>Add or remove qualified dependents, including a spouse or state-registered domestic partner, to\/from your medical, vision and\/or dental plans. Learn more on the <a href=\"https:\/\/employeehelp.workday.uw.edu\/your-benefits\/dependent-verification\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dependent Verification Documentation<\/a> webpage.<\/li>\n<li>Enroll or re-enroll in optional pre-tax savings programs such as a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose FSA (LFSA), or the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP).<\/li>\n<li>Respond to whether or not the HCA\u2019s spousal premium surcharge applies to you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>You must submit changes in Workday during Open Enrollment if:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>You wish to enroll\/re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Arrangement (LFSA) and\/or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) coverage for the upcoming year.<\/strong><br \/>\nIf you are currently enrolled in a FSA, LFSA or the DCAP, you must re-enroll every year during Open Enrollment in order to continue participating in the following year.<\/li>\n<li><strong>You have been notified that you need to attest\/re-attest to the spousal premium surcharge.<\/strong><br \/>\nIf you currently have a spouse or State-Registered Domestic Partner (SRDP) enrolled on your PEBB medical plan, you may need to attest to whether or not the PEBB-required $50 monthly premium surcharge applies to you.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Preparing-for-Open-Enrollment\"><\/span>Preparing for Open Enrollment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you are a PEBB benefits-eligible employee who wishes to make changes to your medical, dental and\/or vision plans during Open Enrollment, follow these simple steps to prepare ahead of time:<\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Verify your address in Workday:<\/strong> The benefits options you are offered are actually based on your home address, specifically your zip code. Make sure your address in <a href=\"https:\/\/wd5.myworkday.com\/uw\/login.htmld\">Workday<\/a> is current so you aren\u2019t offered the wrong benefit plan options.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Prepare your dependent verification documents:<\/strong> If you are planning to add any dependents (including your spouse or State Registered Domestic Partner) to your medical, vision, and\/or dental plans, state law requires that you submit, within Workday, valid dependent verification documents that demonstrate proof of your relationship. Check out this <a href=\"https:\/\/employeehelp.workday.uw.edu\/your-benefits\/dependent-verification\/\">list<\/a> of what qualifies as valid dependent verification documentation. We strongly recommend scanning the document(s) you plan on attaching and saving it to an easy-to-find location on a secure computer prior to starting the Open Enrollment process.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Get informed:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Plan to attend a <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/open-enrollment\/benefits-fairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Benefits Fair<\/a><\/strong> where you can meet providers and ask questions.\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Or attend the Virtual Benefits Fair:<\/strong> If you\u00a0can\u2019t make one of the in-person Benefits Fairs, you can still visit the Health Care Authority\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hca.wa.gov\/employee-retiree-benefits\/pebb-virtual-benefits-fair\/virtual-benefits-fair-pebb\">Virtual Benefits Fair<\/a> page to watch informative, on-demand webinars (available 24\/7!) and learn more about your benefit options for the coming year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Compare plans:<\/strong> If you&#8217;re thinking of changing plans, visit the HCA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hca.wa.gov\/employee-retiree-benefits\/public-employees\/compare-medical-plans\">Compare Medical Plans<\/a> page \u2013 their <a href=\"https:\/\/fortress.wa.gov\/hca\/pebbhealthplan\/compare.aspx\">Medical Benefits Comparison Tool<\/a> can be especially useful.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Contact insurance plan providers directly:<\/strong>\u00a0If you have questions about networks, what each plan covers, and other benefit details,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hca.wa.gov\/employee-retiree-benefits\/public-employees\/contact-plans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">directly reach out to the providers ahead of time<\/a>\u00a0to determine if another plan is right for you and\/or your family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-to-make-changes-during-Open-Enrollment\"><\/span>How to make changes during Open Enrollment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Starting October 26, a link to the <strong>Open Enrollment User Guide <\/strong>will be available with step-by-step instructions on making your changes in Workday.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"border: 3px solid #85754d; padding: 10px 30px 10px 72px; border-radius: 10px;\">\n<p><strong>Benefit or provider questions:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hca.wa.gov\/employee-retiree-benefits\/public-employees\/contact-plans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Contact the plans<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Need help making changes in Workday?<\/strong> Contact UW Benefits:<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:benefits@uw.edu\">benefits@uw.edu<\/a> or 206-543-4444<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Benefit-changes-you-can-make-anytime\"><\/span>Benefit changes you can make anytime<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are several benefit changes you can make that, given the necessary circumstances, don\u2019t require you to wait until Open Enrollment:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Attest to the Tobacco Use Premium Surcharge.<\/li>\n<li>Manage your Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions.<\/li>\n<li>Enroll in optional retirement plans.<\/li>\n<li>Enroll in optional life insurance.<\/li>\n<li>Reduce or opt out of Employee-Paid Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/employeehelp.workday.uw.edu\/your-benefits\/changing\/year-round\/\">Benefit Changes You Can Make Year-Round<\/a> web page for details.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Find important information about changes to benefit options, including a new timeframe and standalone vision plans, along with instructions on how to prepare for completing elections in Workday from October 26 &#8211; November 23, 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":0,"parent":10710,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","slim_seo":{"title":"Open Enrollment overview - Benefits","description":"Find important information about changes to benefit options, including a new timeframe and standalone vision plans, along with instructions on how to prepare fo"},"_slim_seo_primary_term_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-10712","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10712","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10712"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10712\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10750,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10712\/revisions\/10750"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10710"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10712"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.uw.edu\/benefits\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10712"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}