Important Reminders
The University of Alabama strives to create a nationally competitive, customizable benefits package to attract and support our employees as the state’s flagship research institution, while ensuring that decisions align with overall financial capacity and comply with federal regulations.
What is Benefits Open Enrollment? An annual opportunity for benefits-eligible employees to enroll in or make changes to benefits for the upcoming calendar year. Because UA’s benefits are offered through a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan, most premiums are paid on a pre-tax basis. To maintain this tax-advantaged status, federal regulations require employees to make elections during Open Enrollment, with changes taking effect prospectively and generally remaining irrevocable for the upcoming year.
Why is Benefits Open Enrollment important? This is the only time you are eligible to make benefit changes unless you experience a qualifying life event (QLE), such as a family or employment change. Some benefits, like Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), require re-enrollment if you wish to continue them in 2027. Enrollment exceptions cannot be granted outside these IRS-approved events, as doing so could jeopardize the tax-favored status of UA’s benefits program.
Will there be changes to insurance plans in 2027? Yes, changes are expected for some plans next year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2027). Watch this page for updates so that you can make informed decisions during Benefits Open Enrollment. We’ll share this information through multiple channels, including email, printed materials, digital signage, and live presentations. We appreciate your attention to these communications and encourage you to participate in available sessions.
Employees will continue to experience a simplified annual enrollment process this year. Here are three key points to keep in mind as you prepare to make decisions:
ACTION REQUIRED
NO ACTION REQUIRED
REVIEW BENEFICIARIES
1. ACTION IS REQUIRED if you want to participate in the following tax-favored accounts.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) have new contribution limits for the upcoming year as outlined below. The IRS announced has not yet announced new limits for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) in 2027. If an announcement is made before the end of October, updates will be posted here.
exclamationTax-Favored Accounts Will Not Rollover
Your current HCFSA, DCFSA or HSA election is associated with the 2026 tax year and will not roll over, so you must elect a NEW annual contribution amount to continue payroll deductions as of Jan. 1, 2027. If you fail to elect a new contribution for your HCFSA or DCFSA, then your current account with Inspira Financial will close on Dec. 31, 2026 and you must wait until the next open enrollment period to participate unless you experience a qualifying life event.
HCFSA
Healthcare Flexible Spending$3,400 per employee, regardless of tax filing status. Dually-employed spouses may each contribute $3,400 for a combined $6,800 per household.
DCFSA*
Dependent Care Flexible Spending$7,500 for a single individual and married filing jointly; or $3,750 each if married filing separately. 2026 saw the first permanent limit increase since 1986; see disclaimer.
HSA
Health Savings Account$4,500 for an employee with single HDHP coverage; or $9,000 for family HDHP coverage. UA’s employer seed money will be included in this annual limit.
*Disclaimer for Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts:
IRS regulations require that DCFSAs not discriminate in favor of certain employees who are considered “highly compensated” by the IRS, defined as employees with compensation in excess of $160,000 for the 2026 tax year. Because of these IRS regulations, the DCFSA election you make during open enrollment may be subject to reduction pending the results of mandatory non-discrimination testing performed by a third-party vendor. If, after this testing is completed, it is determined that you are highly compensated, and your DCFSA contribution must be reduced, then you will be notified of such reduction. In addition, any reimbursements that exceed the adjusted maximum DCFSA contribution will be reported as taxable income to you on your IRS Form W-2 for the 2027 tax year.
2. NO ACTION IS REQUIRED to continue your coverage in the following plans:
- Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and/or identity protection coverage(s) will continue.
- If you are currently enrolled in these benefits and do not plan to make any changes, then you do not have to take action in Benefitfocus. You will keep your current benefits and these coverage(s) will roll over as-is beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
3. REVIEW YOUR BENEFICIARIES for life, disability and retirement:
Beneficiary information is required in Benefitfocus for your life and AD&D plans and it’s recommended to review this information annually. You can follow the steps to enroll below to login to Benefitfocus, then click the ‘Manage Your Beneficiaries‘ button on your Benefitplace dashboard.
You should also annually review beneficiary information for your retirement plans, and you can manage this with each specific carrier – Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) for the mandatory 401(a), and/or TIAA for optional 403(b) and/or 457(b) plans.
Update Your Beneficiary with TRS
Notarized Form Is RequiredComplete the Designation of Beneficiary Form – Prior to Retirement, notarize and return form directly to TRS at PO Box 302150, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-2150.
Update Your Beneficiary with TIAA
Access Your Online DashboardLogin to your TIAA dashboard from the Employee page in myBama, then select ‘Profile’ and ‘Manage Beneficiaries‘ to review and update.
Campus-Wide Information Sessions
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 22, 2026 | 1:30 – 2:30 pm | In-Person* or Virtual |
| Sept. 30, 2026 | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | In-Person* or Virtual |
| Oct. 9, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm | In-Person* or Virtual |
| Oct. 19, 2026 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm | In-Person* or Virtual |
Communications
- Coming soon!
- Coming soon!
- Coming soon!
Need extra help? Benefits Office staff will be available on-site at two WellBAMA events in October to assist employees who need help enrolling in Benefitfocus. iPads will be available. Come see us for one-on-one guidance!
How to Enroll in Benefitfocus
Benefitfocus is available via single sign-on from the Employee page in myBama. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to enroll online.
Your Benefitfocus online dashboard is available 24/7/365. Any changes made to benefits during Open Enrollment will be effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Login to myBama
Navigate to your Employee page
Click Benefitfocus logo for single sign-on
Click Get Started link to review plan options
Complete and save your benefits enrollment!
Upload documentation to verify new dependents, if any.
check markBenefitplace Mobile App
Simplify your benefits enrollment with mobile access! Employees can use single sign-on with the Benefitplace mobile app. Download the app, enter Company ID: UA-Benefitfocus, and login with your myBama username and password plus required Duo two-factor authentication.
View the mobile app guide for step-by-step instructions to get started.
Vision Benefits
All employees enrolled in UA's vision insurance transitioned to Vision Service Plan (VSP) last year. Your plan now features lower premiums with a 4-year rate guarantee, a higher $180 allowance for frames or contacts, new services including KidsCare and expanded maternity benefits, as well as exclusive member extras!
No physical ID card is necessary to use your vision plan, and you can browse the VSP provider network to make an appointment. VSP enables a ‘connected claims’ feature to better assist you with substantiation of qualified FSA expenses.
Doctor on Demand
Doctor On Demand by Included Health is an independent company that provides a telehealth mobile app and health services on behalf of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. Doctor On Demand replaced Teladoc services last year, and will continue to serve as the dedicated telemedicine company for UA employees in 2027.
In addition to general medicine/urgent care services like those offered by Teladoc, Doctor on Demand will also provide behavioral health and dermatology services. All employees and covered dependent(s) enrolled in UA’s PPO or HDHP medical insurance plan will have access to Doctor on Demand. Fees vary based on visit.
EAP
ComPsych GuidanceResources is your complimentary Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Connect to live services for behavioral care, including phone calls, videos, and digital self-care tools. You and your family can receive up to five (5) free counseling sessions per issue per year! Call 1-888-283-3515 to get started.
The GuidanceResources online dashboard and GuidanceNow mobile app also provide comprehensive resources for your emotional, work-life, legal, financial, physical health and more! You can even assess your well-being to receive personalized plans based on your unique profile and needs.