Updates and Changes for 2026

If you’re currently in the Triple Choice Plan, it’s a good idea to confirm your providers will be in the new PPO network.

New PPO Medical Plan for 2026

• No in-network deductible
• No provider tiers
• Broad provider network.
• No referrals needed
• Carriers: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and UnitedHealthCare

If you are currently enrolled in the TCP, you will be automatically transferred to the PPO unless you switch medical plans.

• New HSA vendor: Inspira replaces Optum. Account transfers to Inspira in December
• 2026 deductibles increasing: $1,700 for employee only, $3,400 for family
• Carriers: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and UnitedHealthCare
• University contribution: $30 per pay period for employee-only coverage; $60 per pay period for family coverage
• Increased total maximum contributions per IRS:

• Unum replaces The Hartford.
• Supplemental life premiums are decreasing.

Coverage available through Unum. 

• Elections for spouse/partner and children can now be made separately for more flexibility.
• Spouse/domestic partner coverage: Available in $5,000 increments, up to $50,000
• Child coverage: Available in $5,000 increments, up to $50,000.

• The Hartford will replace Securian Life.
• Supplemental life premiums are decreasing.

• Spouse/child coverage: Available in increments of $2,000, $4,000, $6,000, $10,000, $12,000, $15,000, and $50,000.

   

• Coverage moving from MetLife to The Hartford.
• Premiums are decreasing.
• The waiting period for illness/pregnancy has been reduced to 15 days from 31 days for new hires. 

• No change to the waiting period for injury (first day).

• U of A short-term disability premiums are decreasing (Unum).

• Hartford replaced MetLife for ORP participants
• New claims go with The Hartford; Old claims stay with MetLife 

• Health Care FSA Annual Contribution Max: $3,300 with $660 rollover.
• Dependent Care FSA Annual Contribution Max: $7,500.
• Must be re-elected each year.

Note: Enrollees in the High Deductible Health Plan with Health Savings Account may not enroll in the full Health Care FSA, but may enroll instead in the Limited Health Care FSA. The Limited Health Care FSA covers expenses related to dental, vision or out-of-network preventive care services.

Premiums are increasing slightly.

Premiums increasing in 2026

• BCBS of AZ and UHC Medical members will receive new ID cards in January.
• HDHP members get new HSA account info from Inspira in December
• For UHC Solstice Dental, Delta Dental and Avesis Vision, new cards will only be sent if you made changes to your elections.
• You can also view ID cards online through your carrier’s website or app. For assistance, please use these dedicated phone numbers to contact the carriers.
• If you enrolled in a digital-only ID card, your card will be updated automatically as needed by January 1.