Benefit Changes 2026

2026 Benefit Changes Info

The Montana University System Choices Benefit Plan is a self-insured employer-sponsored plan covering over 16,000 MUS employees, retirees, COBRA enrollees, and family members.

Frequently Asked Questions 2026 Benefit Changes

  • Yes, beginning July 1, 2026, the MUS Plan will implement Employee and Retiree Medical and Prescription Drug benefit adjustments and premium rate increases.

  • Over the past few years, the Montana University System Plan has experienced significant increases in the health care costs and Plan benefits utilization. These increases are driving necessary Plan changes for the upcoming plan year. There are no changes to Dental or Vision Hardware Plan benefits or premium rate increases for FY2027.

  • There is an increase to the In-Network and Out-of-Network Deductible, Out-of-Pocket Maximums, and copayments.

  • Yes, the employer contribution is increasing by $27 from $1,080 to $1,107 starting July 1, 2026.

  • The MUS Benefits Office has pre-recorded an MUS Choices Employee Benefit Plan presentation. A link to watch the recording is available on the MUS Choices website. In addition, the HRS Benefits team will be hosting in-person sessions in the learning lab. Information on time and date can be found on Griz Hub.

    A letter outlining Plan changes was mailed to employees on April 13th. A copy of this letter is also posted on the MUS Choices website.

    In addition, the HRS Benefits team will be hosting in-person sessions at 10am on April 27 and May 6 in the Learning Lab (Emma Lommasson Center).

  • 8 a.m. Thursday, April 27 through 5 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2026

  • Post initial enrollment at the time of hire, spouses can only be added to the plan in the case of a qualifying event. Qualifying events include marriage, birth or adoption of a child, involuntary loss of eligibility for other health insurance coverage. Following a qualifying event, employees have 63 days to add their spouse and submit required documentation.

  • You can drop coverage for a spouse during annual enrollment, but keep in mind they cannot be added back to the plan unless there is a qualifying event.

  • If you want to make changes to your coverage or re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Account, please make your changes online between Monday, April 27 and Friday, May 15, 2026. The enrollment window closes at 5 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2026.

    Visit the MUS Choices website and log in using your UM NetID.

  • If you do not make any changes to your current coverage and do not plan on enrolling in any Flexible Spending Account for the coming year, your will be automatically re-enrolled in your current benefits selections. Your life insurance coverage level will be adjusted to the new coverage level that most resembles your current choice.

  • Yes, the MUS Plan will be changing to a new Flexible Spending Account (FSA) claims administrator beginning with the upcoming Plan Year FY27 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). The new FSA claims administrator will be announced soon!

    HCFSA/LPFSA (Health Care/Limited Purpose FSA)
    • Maximum Plan Year Contributions are increasing from $3,300 to $3,400. Maximum plan year rollover is increasing to $680 from $660 (re-enrollment required for rollover)
    DCFSA (Dependent Care FSA)
    • Maximum Plan Year Contributions are increasing to &,500 for a single employee/married couple filing jointly – or - $3,750 each for a married couple filing separately

  • The Montana University System offers a dependent premium hardship waiver. For more information, please contact the HRS Benefits team by emailing AskHR@umontana.edu or calling the MUS Benefits office at (877) 501-1722.

  • MUS dental claims are reimbursed based on a fixed dental fee schedule.  The fee schedule’s fixed dollar amount is the maximum reimbursement amount paid by the Plan for the specified dental procedure code, regardless of provider network.  Covered Dental Plan enrollees are responsible for the difference (if any) between the provider's charge and the fee schedule’s reimbursement amount. Contact the MUS benefits office at (877) 501-1722 for assistance and information.

If you have other questions that aren’t answered above, please email AskHR@umontana.edu to request an appointment with the HRS Benefits team or call the MUS Benefits office at (877) 501-1722.