2026 benefits overview

What’s new in 2026

We’ve updated your benefits to keep them competitive and cost-effective. Review the information below to learn what's new for you in 2026.

Enrolling or making a change?

Whether your newly eligible for benefits or making a change due to a qualified life event, there are several actions you’ll want to take to ensure you have the benefits coverage you need for your family.

• Elect or update your medical, dental and vision benefits plan selections.

• Add and/or remove dependents from your benefits plans and confirm whether a spousal surcharge applies.

• Confirm your tobacco use.

• Contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) or any Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

• Consider electing or changing your supplemental life insurance coverage: You can increase your coverage by 1x your annual base salary (up to $300,000) without providing information about your health.

• Elect or update voluntary benefits, such as accident insurance, critical illness insurance, hospital indemnity, legal assistance and ID protection.

• Add or update your beneficiaries.

The benefits you’re eligible for depend on whether you’re in a full-time or part-time role. You may include dependents in your coverage if they meet certain requirements and verification documents are submitted and approved.

Refer to this Quick Reference Guide to review changes you can make to each benefit, coverage effective dates, and required documentation that you will need to provide.

• Aetna plan changes for 2026

  New weight management program

  This new program provides eligible members with dietitian support, a personalized nutrition plan, biometric data tracking, and clinical interventions to help members reach their goals. Members taking oral or injectable medications for weight loss are required to participate.

  Prescription drug coverage

  This prescription drug coverage has shifted to a generics-first formulary. Prescriptions will default to the generic (vs. brand-name) when clinically appropriate, if the generic is the preferred and lowest-cost option.

• Medical plan costs

  Our plans provide a choice in how you prefer to pay for your medical costs, balancing what you pay up front through payroll deductions and your costs when you receive care, such as deductibles and coinsurance. We are offering the same plans and salary bands for your payroll deductions in 2026 as we did in 2025. Your exact payroll deduction depends on your plan, coverage tier, and salary band.

  Read more details on available plans, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs.

  Get support to make the best open enrollment decisions for you and your family.

  Use the tips and resources on this page to better understand and manage your medical costs.

• Resources for Living expansion (Employee Assistance Program)

  You have even more support for mental wellbeing in 2026. You and all your household members now have up to eight free counseling visits per topic (previously five).

  Learn more about Resources for Living.

• Increased contribution limits

  The HSA annual contribution limit has increased to $4,400 for individuals and $8,750 for families for 2026. Learn more about HSAs.

  The Dependent Care FSA annual contribution limit has increased to $7,500 per household for 2026. There are eligibility limits for highly compensated Mountaineers. Learn more about Dependent Care FSAs.

• Personalized support

  While these personalized support resources aren’t new for 2026, they can help you make the best healthcare decisions for you and your family.

  Aetna One Advisor (A1A), your personal benefits advisor

  Did you know that Aetna One Advisor (A1A) is your personal benefits advisor? They can help you compare medical plan options, choose the best fit for you and your family, find quality cost-effective providers, and offer tips to get the most from your plan. Once you call, your advisor provides personalized support all year long.

  Your A1A advisor can help you:

  • Tap into free preventative services and condition management programs.

  • Find top-quality and budget-friendly providers, schedule appointments, and coordinate your care (including pre-certifications).

  • Make informed decisions about treatment options.

  • Understand your prescription drug coverage.

  • Sort out any plan or claim issues.

  A1A can support all Mountaineers to understand their benefits

  Call 888-216-8573, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM ET. Aetna members can also chat online through the Aetna member website (aetna.com).

  Learn more about Aetna One Advisor (A1A).

  Emma™: A personal decision support tool

  Emma is an online tool designed to help you choose which plan is best for you during enrollment or when making life event changes. If you are an Aetna enrollee, Emma looks at 12 months of you and your enrolled dependents’ medical claims history (if available) to compare coverage options for the coming year. Just answer a few questions and Emma will give a personalized comparison of your medical plan costs, including payroll deductions and expected out-of-pocket costs when you use the plan. Log in to the Iron Mountain Benefits Center via the bswift mobile app or on the web here to get started.