It’s that time of year again, and Open Enrollment is just around the corner! From October 27 to November 24, employees have the opportunity to make important benefit changes for the upcoming year. All elections made during this period will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Your Open Enrollment activity will be posted to your Workday inbox on October 27, and all changes must be submitted through Workday.

What Can You Do During Open Enrollment?

This is your annual opportunity to:

  • Change your medical or dental plan
  • Add or remove dependents
  • Enroll or re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
  • Re-attest to the spousal surcharge questionnaire

What’s Changing in 2026?

Here are some key updates to benefits for the upcoming year:

  • FSA Contribution Limit: Increased to $3,400 (Regular and Limited options available)
  • HSA Contribution Maximums:
    • $4,400 for individuals
    • $8,750 for families
    • Additional $1,000 allowed for those age 55+
  • Hearing Aid Coverage: No longer capped; covered every 36 months
  • UMP Plus: Will no longer be offered
  • ClassPass Affinity: Ending for Kaiser plans
  • CDHP Deductibles:
    • $1,700 for individuals
    • $3,400 for families
  • Uniform Dental Plan: Annual deductible removed for children under 15
  • DCAP Contribution Limit:
    • $7,500 for single or joint filers
    • $3,750 for separate filers
  • Bargaining Agreement FSA: Increased to $300 for eligible employees earning less than $68,004

Submitting Elections in Workday: Don’t Miss This Step!

When making your elections in Workday, be sure to reach the final page where you can save or print your confirmation. If you don’t see this page, your elections haven’t been submitted and won’t be processed.

If you reopen the event to make changes or review your selections, you must re-submit your elections by going through the entire process again. Reopening the event overrides your previous submission.

To reopen the event, search for “Employee Benefits Open Enrollment Selection” in Workday.

Need Help?

Attend an upcoming Open Enrollment presentation or view a recorded session for additional guidance. Visit the HRS Open Enrollment website for a list of dates and recorded sessions. You can also visit the Washington State Healthcare Authority website for a full list of changes and plan-specific details.

Make sure to mark your calendar and take action early—Open Enrollment is your chance to ensure your benefits align with your needs for the year ahead!

Content Credit: HRS Benefits; Carey Musburger, Sr. Assistant, Learning and Organizational Development