Open Enrollment 2027
The University of Hartford’s annual open enrollment for medical, dental, vision and optional life insurance as well as pre-tax savings account elections for coverage beginning January 1, 2027, will take place from November 2, 2026 to November 20, 2026.
Open Enrollment will be online/electronic once again this year! Employees will initiate their insurance elections through Softdocs, which integrates directly with Banner. This streamlined process features a smart form designed to guide employees step-by-step through the annual election process. Softdocs will require each employee to use their single sign on (SSO) and Multifactor Authentication. All eligible employees will be provided links and instructions on November 2, 2026.
Elections MUST be made no later than the end of business on November 20, 2026. Please review the information and make changes to your elections as needed. If you do not make an active election, the following will be applied:
- If you are currently enrolled in the POS plan, you will remain in the POS plan if no elections are made.
- If you are currently enrolled in the HDBP plan, you will remain in the HDBP plan if no elections are made.
A brief summary of plan year 2027 benefits is noted below.
Summary for Open Enrollment 2027
The Point of Service (POS) plan and the High Deductible Based Plan (HDBP) will continue to be offered.
- There will be no change in employee premium rates for medical plans. The salary tiers will be under $50,000, $50,00.01 to $100,000, and over $100,000.
- Employees will continue to be able to contribute their own funds to the Health Savings Account (HSA), however, the University contributions to the HSA and Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) will be discontinued.
- Inspira will continue to be the administrator for HSA and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA and DCFSA).
- The Freedom of Choice dental insurance plan will remain with Aetna, with a slight increase in premium.
- The vision insurance plan will remain with United Healthcare, with no increase in premium.
- Basic and optional life insurance plan options will remain with The Standard, with no changes to the premiums.
Getting Started
To initiate the open enrollment process, all employees must access Softdocs and complete the Open Enrollment Form. Softdocs will require each employee to use their single sign on (SSO) and Multifactor Authentication. Step by step directions are available.
Employees adding or removing dependents to plans will need to submit the HRD Dependent and Spousal Names form, available in Softdocs.
If you are making changes to your elections, you may be sent a follow-up email from HRD for more information regarding those changes.
Learn More
1 on 1 Meetings — 1-on-1 meetings will be offered by our broker, Chris Monroe, to discuss individual insurance questions on November 12th. These 25-minute meetings will be held in the HRD office. Sign up for your appointment with the following link.
Open Lab Sessions — To support employees during open enrollment, open lab/drop-in sessions will be available for any employee who would like assistance. All sessions will be held in CC114.
- Wednesday, November 4: 2–4 p.m.
- Monday, November 9: 10 a.m.–noon
- Thursday, November 19: 9 a.m.–noon
University of Hartford Aetna Microsite — Choosing a health plan can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. With this site, customized for the University of Hartford, you can learn about your plan options to determine which one is right for you and your family. You can also learn about all the resources and technology included with your benefits that can help you make time for health and balance the demands of your life. Check out the University of Hartford Aetna Microsite.
Annual Notices — Please read these important Legal Notices Affecting Your Health Plan Coverage
ITS Help Desk Services — ITS Staff are available to troubleshoot login issues and reset passwords. If you are having difficulty accessing the portal to view and complete the open enrollment form, ITS can offer assistance. Their number is 860-768-4357 (HELP) or they can be reached via email at helpdesk@hartford.edu.
Election Information
Medical Insurance
What you need to know:
The Point of Service (POS) plan and the High Deductible Based Plan (HDBP) will continue to be offered.
DOCUMENTS you may need:
Medical Plan Comparison
Summary of Benefits and Coverage: High Deductible with HSA
Summary of Benefits and Coverage: Point of Service
Check out the University of Hartford Aetna Microsite.
Dental Insurance
What you need to know:
The University will retain Aetna to administer the calendar year 2027 Freedom of Choice dental insurance plan, with a slight increase in premium. Inherent to this plan is a feature that allows employees to enroll in either the Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO) or a passive Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). The plan offers members the ability to move back and forth between the DMO and PPO through the course of the year.
DOCUMENTS you may need:
Check out the University of Hartford Aetna Microsite.
Dental Plan Comparison
Vision Insurance
What you need to know:
The University will retain United Healthcare to administer the calendar year 2027 vision insurance plan, with no increase in premium. This comprehensive vision plan provides participants access to a national network of both private practices and more than 100 popular retail chain providers as well as discounts/allowances on lenses, frames, contact lenses, and laser vision correction. The plan features both in- and out-of-network benefits.
Documents you may need:
Life Insurance
What you need to know:
Regular full-time faculty and staff are automatically enrolled in a basic life insurance benefit (valued at 1x base/contracted annualized salary). The University of Hartford pays premium costs associated with this benefit.
- If you are currently enrolled the supplemental, spousal and/or dependent child[ren] optional life insurance plan(s), you can increase your level of coverage up to the guaranteed issue limit, without proof of insurability. If, however, the increase in coverage is greater than the guaranteed issue limit, evidence of insurability is required.
- If you have never enrolled in supplemental, spousal and/or dependent child[ren] optional life insurance plan(s), you can enroll at this time. Employees can elect supplemental life insurance up to 4x salary up to a maximum of $250,000 with no proof of insurability. Elections will be subject to evidence of insurability.
- In order to enroll in spousal or child life insurance, you must have supplemental life insurance. Spousal life insurance cannot be more than 50% of supplemental life. Child life cannot be more than 100% of supplemental life.
- You can enroll in or change your current personal accident insurance election with no evidence of insurability required.
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA)—partners with the HDBP only.
What you need to know:
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA) – partners with the HDBP
The University will not provide HSA funds for calendar year 2027. Monies set aside by participants in a HSA carry over from one year to the next, allowing participants to accrue funds for future qualified expenses, earn interest on deposits, or invest in mutual funds.
For 2027, the annual limit set by the IRS on deductible contributions is $4,500 for individuals with employee-only coverage and $9,000 for family coverage. For employees age 55 and older, an additional catch up amount of $1,000 can be can be contributed.
IRS guidelines governing eligibility for a HSA:
- You must be enrolled in a qualifying deductible based plan.
- Dependent eligibility must meet the IRS definition of a dependent.
- You cannot be covered by another medical plan that is not a high deductible health plan.
- You cannot be enrolled in a health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), including your spouse’s FSA.
- You must not be enrolled in Medicare (or TRICARE) Benefits. *
* If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A or B and/or collecting Social Security income and wish to enroll in a qualifying plan you can do so, but you must first notify Medicare and request dis-enrollment from Medicare. Please refer to your tax consultant to discuss whether it is in your best interest to remain enrolled in Medicare or to dis-enroll and open the HSA.
DOCUMENTS you may need:
Check out the University of Hartford Aetna Microsite.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS (FSA)
What you need to know:
The University will be offering eligible faculty and staff health care and/or dependent care FSA options for calendar year 2027 through Inspira. Because a FSA is subject to the “use it or lose it” provision under IRS guidelines, FSA participants are urged to carefully consider their annual election(s) based on plan and cost-share guidelines.
Health Care FSA – Faculty and staff who enroll in the POS plan, as well as those who do not utilize the University’s group medical insurance, will continue to be able to set aside pre-tax dollars into a Health Care FSA (as a payroll deduction) for qualified expenses. The annual contribution limit for this account is $3,500 for calendar year 2027.
If you do not incur eligible expenses for your full Health Care FSA election during the plan year, the University’s plan allows a portion of your remaining FSA balance to automatically roll over into the next calendar year. The maximum amount that can be rolled over at the end of a plan year is $680. In order to be eligible for your Health Care FSA balance to roll over, you must elect the Health Care FSA for the following year. If you do not re-enroll in a Health Care FSA, any unused funds remaining in the account will be forfeited. The rollover amount is available for the next year only, and any unused rollover funds remaining in the account after one year will be forfeited.
Dependent Care FSA – Participants whose dependent care expenses meet IRS eligibility guidelines for a Dependent Care FSA will continue to be able to set aside pre-tax dollars into a Dependent Care FSA (as a payroll deduction) for qualified expenses. The contribution limit for this account is $7,500 for calendar year 2027.
DOCUMENTS you may need:
Check out the University of Hartford Aetna Microsite.