Open Enrollment for 2026 benefits begins Monday, Oct. 13. This is your once-a-year opportunity to change your health, dental, vision and legal plans for the coming year. Open Enrollment ends at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, with benefits selections effective Jan. 1, 2026.
Flexible Spending Accounts require that you re-enroll each year to continue your participation.
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Health Plans for Active Employees
U-M offers five health plans for benefits-eligible faculty, staff and students:
- Community Blue PPO
- Comprehensive Major Medical (CMM)
- Consumer-Directed Health Plan (CDHP)
- GradCare (available only to eligible graduate student employees)
- U-M Premier Care
As announced in November 2024, the Michigan Care health plan is being discontinued as of Dec. 31. If you are currently enrolled in Michigan Care and don’t select a different health plan, you’ll be enrolled in U-M Premier Care.
U-M Premier Care Adds Chiropractic Coverage
The U-M Premier Care plan will cover chiropractic care starting Jan. 1, 2026, with a limit of 24 visits per year. Regular copays will apply.
View the U-M Premier Care page for more information.
View Your 2026 Rates
Cost can be an important consideration when you’re thinking of change. You can check the 2026 benefits rates online in Wolverine Access. After you log into Wolverine Access, search Employee Self-Service, select the Benefits tile, then the Display Benefit Plan Rates tile.
Consider This When Selecting a Health Plan
Before Open Enrollment begins, consider the following while reviewing health plans:
- All costs involved (including premiums and out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, coinsurance and copays)
- The plan’s service areas and access to your preferred doctors and hospitals
- Anticipated health needs for you and your covered dependents
- Your financial needs during the next year
Not sure what health plan is the best fit for your needs? Utilize Benefits Mentor, a decision support tool that can help recommend a health plan based on anticipated utilization, as well as priorities you identify. Benefits Mentor will be updated with 2026 benefits rates and available for members' use on Monday, Sept. 29.
Learn more about available health plans.
You’ll also notice additional changes in the benefits below that allow participants to contribute more or spend less.
CDHP with HSA Values for 2026
The CDHP deductible for 2026 will be $1,700 individual/$3,400 family, and the in-network, out-of-pocket maximum will be $5,500 individual/$10,600 family. The HSA maximum contribution will increase to $4,400 individual/$8,750 family.
View the CDHP page for more information.
Dental Plan Changes
In 2026, the annual maximum benefit will increase to $1,500. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, individuals enrolled in Option 2 and Option 3 may have more coverage for dental services requiring more extensive treatment.
Learn more about the Dental Plan.
Health Care FSA Change
In 2026, you can contribute a minimum of $120 and up to a maximum of $3,300 per calendar year to your Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). The Dependent Care FSA limit in 2026 also will increase to $7,500.
View the Flexible Spending Account page for more information.
For More Info
For more information about U-M health benefits, view the Open Enrollment 2026 web page.
