Open enrollment for 2026 employee benefits is underway and will remain open until 4 p.m. on Nov. 21. This annual window gives full-time faculty and professional staff members at Metropolitan State University of Denver the opportunity to review coverage options and make changes for the coming year without a qualified life event, such as marriage or the birth of a child.
This year’s open enrollment is passive, meaning that if employees take no action, their current medical, dental, vision and voluntary coverage selections will automatically roll over into 2026.However, employees who wish to participate in flexible spending accounts must re-enroll annually.
Employees can make changes directly in Workday, where a benefits task should already appear in their inboxes. A Workday job aid provides step-by-step guidance for completing the process. All elections made during this period will take effect Jan. 1, and any changes in payroll deductions will be reflected in December paychecks.
2026 benefits highlights
- Medical plans: MSU Denver will see a 9.8% increase in health insurance premiums in 2026, the result of growing provider costs, claims and prescription drug prices. The University will continue to pay 75% of employees’ insurance premiums.
- Dental and vision: No plan design or premium changes for 2026.
- Flexible spending accounts: MSU Denver will continue to offer a rollover option for medical flexible spending accounts; however, to be eligible for that option, an employee must elect to participate in flexible spending in 2026.
- The rollover amount is $680.
- The 2026 contribution limits are $3,400 for medical flexible spending accounts and $7,500 for dependent-care flexible spending accounts.
- Voluntary benefits: MSU Denver will continue offering optional life, accidental death and dismemberment, accident, critical-illness and hospital-indemnity insurance through Sun Life.
- Long-term disability coverage remains a100% employer-paid benefit.
Resources and Support
- To help employees navigate these options, MSU Denver has partnered with Anthem to produce an open-enrollment highlights video. Employees can also review detailed information in the 2026 CHEIBA Benefits Booklet and 2026 Rate Sheet.
- MSU Denver’s Total Rewards team has scheduled a webinar to answer questions about plan changes, the Workday process for enrolling in programs and more. Attend virtually or in-person 1-2 p.m. Nov. 5 in JSSB 400.
- Employees can also attend the Employee Wellness Fair on Nov. 5, where representatives from Total Rewards and plan providers will answer questions and help employees make informed choices.
- For personalized support, employees may schedule a virtual one-on-one meeting with the Total Rewards team by emailing [email protected].
- Additional details and reminders will be shared throughout the open-enrollment period.
