We are sharing the proposed benefit rates and plan updates for the upcoming plan year. These changes are not yet final and are subject to approval. Effective date is January 1, 2026, unless noted otherwise.
Benefits Changes Meeting Recording
2026 Proposed Healthcare Premium Rates
🔍 What’s Changing?
- Medical Plan Premiums: Slight increase due to rising healthcare costs.
- approximately 15% for employee only and employee + child(ren) tiers
- approximately 20% for employee + spouse and family tiers
- Please see the 2026 Proposed Healthcare Premium Rates above to see what you 2026 health care premium looks like.
- Medical Plan Deductibles and Maximum Out of Pocket:
- PPO plan increases to:
- Deductible $1500 employee only/$3000 all other tiers
- Max Out of Pocket $3000 employee only/$6000 all other tiers
- HDHP plan increases to:
- Deductible $3000 employee only/$6000 all other tiers
- Max Out of Pocket $5000 employee only/$10,000 all other tiers
- PPO plan increases to:
- Prescription (Rx) Plan: Effective August 1, 2025 to realize budget cost savings prior to January 1, 2026.
- RxBenefits Utilization Management Bundle 1
- Step Therapy – to review if a bio-similar medication can be used versus the more expensive prescribed medication
- Prior Authorizations – a process where your health insurance plan requires your doctor to get approval before covering certain medications. This ensures the medication is medically necessary, safe, and cost-effective.
- Drug Quantity Management – to review quantity of the medication dispensed is safe and effective for the patient
- Protect Plan
- Reviews all drugs that costs more than $1000 for a 30 day supply
- RxBenefits Utilization Management Bundle 1
- Dental Plan: no renewal information available yet
- Vision Plan: no renewal information available yet
- HSA/FSA Contribution Limits: Increased in line with IRS guidelines to be determined by the government late 2025.
📅 What’s Next?
- Fall Benefits Changes Updates: TBD
- Final Rates & Enrollment: Finalized details will be available before open enrollment.
- Benefits Fair: October 28, 2025
- Annual Open Enrollment: November 1-15, 2025 for effective date January 1, 2026
If you have further questions, please email Benefits@Wooster.edu.