2026 -2027 Benefits Open Enrollment

• Medical premiums for all plans increase, except for Anthem COVA HDHP and TRICARE Voluntary Supplement. Aetna COVA HealthAware "You Plus One" and "You Plus Two or More" premiums increase significantly.
• Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contribution maximum increases to $3,400.
• Dependent Care FSA contribution maxiumum increases to $7,500.
• If adding a dependent to coverage, dependent eligibility documentation is required within 30 days from the end of open enrollment.
• All health benefits changes must be submitted by:
  • no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 29 electronically.
  • no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29 if using a paper form.
• Employees who want to continue with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) must enroll for FSA by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 29. Employees must enroll for the FSA benefit every year. 
• To use the Cardinal system, employees will need their 11-digit Cardinal ID Number. This can be found by visiting HokieSpa, selecting the "Hokie Team" tab, and then selecting "Employment Information". There you will see your Cardinal ID number as well as your Virginia Tech ID number. See below for more information on submitting open enrollment changes.

Benefits open enrollment overview

During open enrollment, benefits-eligible Virginia Tech employees may enroll in a health plan and/or flexible spending accounts, change health plans, add or remove dependents, or waive state health coverage. Changes made during open enrollment will be effective July 1, 2026. Employees will see deductions related to changes made during open enrollment reflected on their July 16 paycheck.

The next opportunity employees will have to make changes to their health insurance (without having a qualifying mid-year event) will be in May 2027, the next open enrollment period. The exact dates of open enrollment are determined by the state and are typically announced in mid-April each year.

Summary of health benefits and coverage as of July 1, 2026:

• COVA Care (Anthem) (PDF)
  
• COVA High Deductible Health Plan (Anthem) (PDF)
• COVA HealthAware (Aetna) (PDF)
  
• Kaiser Permanente (for Northern Virginia employees) (PDF)
  
• Sentara Health Plans HMO (for Hampton Roads employees) (PDF)
• Delta Dental Brochure (PDF)

Open Enrollment resources and forms

• DHRM 2026-27 Active Employee Enrollment Form (PDF)
• DHRM 2026-27 Retiree Benefits Enrollment Form (PDF) - Coming Soon
• Open Enrollment Information Sessions
• Submitting Your Open Enrollment Elections in Cardinal
• Spotlight on Your Benefits Newsletter (PDF)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

If you wish to particate in an FSA, you MUST enroll EACH YEAR using the Cardinal system or by completing the state enrollment form (PDF).

For 2026-27, the contribution maximum for the Health FSA increases to $3,400.

For 2026-27, the contribution maximum for the Dependent Care FSA increases to $7,500. 

Inspira Financial is the vendor for Health and Dependent Care FSAs. Enrolling in one or both of these FSAs allow you to contribute money through payroll deductions before federal and state taxes are calculated, creating a cost savings. A monthly administration fee of $2.10 is deducted from your paycheck.  

Check out the FSA Sourcebook (PDF) to learn more about this benefit including plan year contribution limits, qualifying expenses, Inspira Financial master card, and much more.

NOTE: In the Cardinal system, pay periods for Virginia Tech are appearing as monthly instead of semi-monthly, resulting in pay period FSA amounts calculating incorrectly. Be assured that the actual FSA amount withheld from your paycheck will be based on the annual amount you designate and the per pay period amount withheld will be calculated using 24 pay periods instead of 12. 

Need help choosing benefits?

• For health benefits plans, talk to ALEX, an online benefits counseling tool that evaluates your input and recommends a plan tailored just for you. ALEX will be available starting May 16. 
• Review this year's Spotlight on Your Benefits (PDF) for information on plan changes for 2026 and more.

Save on health care premiums with Premium Rewards

By participating in the Premium Rewards Program, an employee and their enrolled spouse can save $17 (employee or spouse) or $34 (employee and spouse) per month on insurance premiums ($204 or $408 annually). This year, an employee and their enrolled spouse will be required to have a wellness exam and complete the online health assessment. 

Employees and their enrolled spouse can sign up for this program at any time during the year, but why wait? To earn a reward beginning July 1, 2026, visit your health care plan provider's website or mobile app to access your health assessment May 1 - 31, 2026. Additionally, you will be required to have a wellness exam between January 1, 2025 - May 31, 2026. Instructions for completion can be found on Pages 17 - 18 of this year's Spotlight on Your Benefits (PDF). Please note that this reward will show up first on the July 16 paycheck. 

Submitting open enrollment changes

Cardinal HCM:

Employees can submit open enrollment changes through Cardinal HCM, DHRM’s electronic submission portal. Changes must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on May 29. Visit this state page for system information and instructions. Visit Virginia Tech's Cardinal system page for information on how to get your 11-digit Cardinal ID Number.

Paper form:

If needed, a paper enrollment form (PDF) is available, but employees are encouraged to use the Cardinal system. If employees use the paper form, they must submit the completed form as follows:

• Electronic submission: Use Virginia Tech HR's secure online dropbox; submit by by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 29.
• In person: Drop off form to the Virginia Tech Division of Human Resources, Suite 2300, North End Center on the Blacksburg Campus by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29.

NOTE: Do not include Social Security numbers on emailed forms. As an alternate identifier, use your nine-digit Virginia Tech ID number.

If you have questions about submitting open enrollment changes or need help with a Cardinal account, contact the HR Service Center at 540-231-9331  or hrservicecenter@vt.edu.   

Open Enrollment Reminders

• Premium and plan benefits may change subject to final state budget approval.
• Participants must complete a health assessment with their current plan administrator and have a wellness exam to receive the Premium Rewards savings. This includes employees who requested a plan change during Open Enrollment from one eligible premium reward plan to the other. The Office of Health Benefits for the state will apply the premium reward for July 1 based on their new enrollment. 
• We encourage all faculty and staff to review their physical address and email address and update, if necessary. To update your addresses, log in to Hokie Spa, select the Hokie Spa tab, then select Personal Information to make updates. 
• Please be sure to check your Cardinal account even if you are not changing any health benefits. This is to ensure that your elections and personal information are correct. Please also be sure to check your paystub for the appropriate health insurance and FSA deductions.

Important Health Care Notices

• DHRM Important Health Care Notices (PDF)
• Premium Assistance Under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) (PDF)