Medical, Dental, Vision, Ambulance
For the first time since 2021, EGI will be increasing the medical insurance and dental insurance rates for 2026. For a breakdown of the new employee premiums and employer contributions, please review the UW health and dental premiums.
- The HDHP deductible is increasing as required by the IRS. For employee only, it will increase by $50 for a total of $1,700 and it will increase for family by $100 for a total of $3,400.
- The vision plan and ambulance remains the same.
- A $75 Urgent Care copay is new for the $900, $2,000 & $4,000 deductible plans.
- Updates to GLP-1 medications.
- Under Optional Dental, Occlusal guards benefits have been updated.
Open enrollment is the time to make changes to your elections. Do you want to add yourself, your spouse, and/or children to the health, dental, vision or ambulance coverage? Do you want to change your insurance deductible for 2026 or change your health insurance premium deductions to be taken out pre or post-tax? Do you want add optional dental insurance to cover restorative or corrective dental work? If it has been at least 1 year since you waived or dropped optional dental, you are eligible to enroll. You may also enroll in vision or ambulance coverage or add dependents if it has been at least 1 year since you waived it. All enrollments can be done via the EGI Portal. Be sure to provide copies of supporting documentation (marriage or birth certificates) to prove your dependents’ eligibility if not already on file at EGI. These required documents can be uploaded in the EGI Portal.
If you do not want to change any of your insurance enrollments, you do not have to do anything unless you are participating in the flexible spending plans.
Flexible Benefits Plan
If you currently participate in the flex spending plans, you must re-enroll in annually.
Do you want to contribute to a medical or dependent care reimbursement account for 2026? Please note that the medical reimbursement and the wrap around medical reimbursement account annual contribution limits increased to $3,300 per employee. The dependent care contribution limit increased to $7,500 per family. To read more about these options, please read the Flexible Benefits Plan Booklet. If you decide to enroll for 2026 flex spending, you will enroll through the EGI Portal. The contributions do NOT carry forward from year to year and MUST be renewed every year.
If you have signed up for the health insurance pre or post tax premiums, you will not need to renew your elections. Those elections carry from year to year.
Life Insurance
Basic Life insurance rates through the Standard have remained the same for 2026 however Voluntary Life insurance rates have increased for participants aged 60 and older. Those employees who have previously elected basic life insurance with EGI through The Standard may participate in the Voluntary life insurance with increases in $10,000 and $20,000 increments for employees and $10,000 increments for spouses and a flat amount of $10,000 for children, up to the maximum limits.
If you have Wyoming Retirement System as your 401(a) retirement election, you have the option to enroll in the NCPERS Voluntary Group Term Line Insurance Program through Prudential. It is a flat $16 a month for the employee and their dependents.
Short and Long Term Disability
The carrier for short and long term disability is Aflac and requires proof of good health before approval.
Domestic Partner Health Insurance Benefit
Each year during open enrollment a new Affidavit of Domestic Partnership must be completed and submitted to Human Resources by then end of the open enrollment period. Supporting documentation including policy details (reimbursement is for health premiums only – no dental or vision), proof of monthly premium cost and proof of payment must be submitted by payroll deadline December 15, 2025. More details about the benefit can be found in the Employee Handbook. Please email all documentation to claud@uwyo.edu by the required deadlines.
Voluntary Pet Insurance Option
Pet insurance is offered through MetLife. This is not a payroll deduct option but a direct bill through MetLife as rates differ due to breed and age. More information can be found on the Active Employee Website.
Employee Benefit and Wellness Fair
The Human Resources Department is hosting an Employee Benefit and Wellness Fair on Thursday, November 6th from 9:00am to 3:00pm in the Union Ballroom. Communication will be distributed before the event. The scheduling of release time should be a collaborative discussion between employee and supervisor to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the unit.
Contact Information
Please contact the HR Benefits Office at 307-766-2437, or claud@uwyo.edu if you have questions. We encourage you to stop by the Human Resources Office in Hill Hall, Room 339 for assistance.
