USG Open Enrollment ended November 6.

Learn about your 2027 benefits by watching a short benefits overview video to learn about what's new or changing for 2027.

What's New or Changing for 2027

• Premium changes: For 2027, healthcare premiums will increase an average of 6% across all healthcare plans. USG dental plan premiums will increase approximately 2%.
• Pharmacy benefit manager change: Effective January 1, 2027, Express Scripts will be the new pharmacy benefit manager for Anthem members. Express Scripts will work with you if you are impacted by network or formulary changes.
• NEW! EyeMed hearing benefits: Hearing benefits, including hearing exams, prescriptions and hearing aids, will be available through the EyeMed Hearing Indemnity Plan. There are no network requirements, so you can go anywhere (including Costco). This plan can be combined with other benefits.
• Weight Watchers will not be offered to Anthem members as of January 1, 2027.  Instead members will have new ways to support their well-being while earning a reward.
• Well-being Program:  Any qualifying actions you complete between October 1 and December 31, 2026, will apply toward your 2027 reward cycle for Anthem and Kaiser enrolled employees and spouses.

• Action Required: Surcharge Certification

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  If you are enrolled in a USG healthcare plan, you are required to complete certification EACH YEAR during open enrollment for tobacco use and working spouse coverage.  You must certify whether you (and your covered family members age 18+) use tobacco.  You must also certify whether your covered spouse has access to healthcare coverage through their employer.

  Learn more about the tobacco use and working spouse surcharges and when they apply.

  The 2027 Tobacco Use surcharge is $150/month.  It will be applied to each covered member (employee, spouse, child 18+).  Note: one surcharge will be applied for all children who use tobacco.

  The 2027 Working Spouse surcharge is $150/month.  

  Once you enroll for 2027, remember to review your confirmation statement and make any corrections to your surcharge status(es) by December 31, 2026 to ensure your surcharges are captured correctly.

  Remember! Even if you do not wish to make changes to your benefits for 2027, you MUST log into the OneUSG Connect - Benefits enrollment portal and complete your surcharge certifications EVERY YEAR during Open Enrollment if you are enrolled in a USG healthcare plan.

• 2027 Healthcare Plan Options

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  There are no changes to the plan design for any healthcare plans in 2027.  Copays, coinsurance, and deductibles (if applicable) will remain the same.  For more details on USG's healthcare options, review the 2027 Comparison Guide.  The information in the chart is a summary and reflects in-network benefits only.

  

• 2027 Healthcare Plan Premiums

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  USG is working to keep coverage as affordable as possible.  For 2027, national healthcare costs were projected to increase by 9%, but USG has kept employee premium increases to an average of 6% acrosss all healthcare plans. Additional details about the plans and how they compare are located in the Comparison Guide as well as the Online Estimator Tool in the OneUSG Connect - Benefits enrollment portal.

  Employee Monthly Premium	Anthem (USG Self-Insured Coverage)			Kaiser  (Fully Insured)
  Tier	Consumer Choice HSA	Comprehensive Care	BlueChoice HMO	HMO
  Employee	$109.74	$248.90	$301.84	$230.74
  Employee + Child(ren)	$241.16	$491.66	$586.94	$451.12
  Employee + Spouse	$281.36	573.62	$684.78	$526.32
  Family	$401.94	$819.44	$978.24	$751.88

• 2027 Prescription Coverage

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  Anthem members: As of January 1, 2027, your pharmacy benefits will be managed by Express Scripts, part of Evernorth Health.  All Anthem enrolled members will receive a Welcome Kit in December by mail.  Express Scripts will work with employees who may be impacted by network or formulary changes.  They have developed a website to help you learn more about your coverage, find pharmacies, the mail order process, prior authorization steps, and the specialty pharmacy.  Learn more

  2027 Express Scripts Formulary

  2027 Express Scripts Exclusions & Alternatives

  Kaiser members: There are no changes to your pharmacy benefits for 2027. 2027 Kaiser Permanente of Georgia Formulary 

  All members: Although your covered medications (formulary) can change throughout the year, you can expect a number of changes in January.  Even if your medications haven't changed, coverage for them may have, so be sure to check your medications against the approved drug lists.  To see the most up-to-date drug list, you should always log into your account with Express Scripts (after January 1) or Kaiser Permanente.

• 2027 Dental Premiums

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  For 2027, the employee dental plan premiums will increase an average of 2%.  Coverage is through Delta Dental. Maximize your savings by visiting a dentist in the Delta Dental PPO or Premier networks.  Both PPO and Premier dentists cannot charge you more than their agreed upon fees in-network, helping to lower your cost.  Each plan allows you to visit any licensed dentist, so even if you dentist isn't in either Delta Dental network, you still have coverage though you save the most by using an in-network dentist.

  Click to find a network dentist. Enter your zip code and select All from the network dropdown to include PPO and Premier dentists in your search.

  Employee Monthly Premium	Delta Dental Base	Delta Dental High
  Employee	$39.38	$48.66
  Employee + Child(ren)	$74.82	$92.46
  Employee + Spouse	$78.78	$97.30
  Family	$126	$155.76

• 2027 Vision Premiums

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  Vision benefits are provided by EyeMed Vision Care.  There is no change to the premiums for 2027.  The EyeMed Vision Care plan saves you money on routine eye exams and materials (glasses, contacts, sunglasses).  The USG  vision plan includes Eye360, where members receive $0 exam copay plus an extra $50 added to the allowance for eyeglass frames or contact lenses.   The vision plan uses the Insight network. Click to find a network provider near you.  Look to the top of the page and click Find an eye doctor.

  Employee Monthly Premium
  Employee	$6.90
  Employee + Child(ren)	$13.12
  Employee + Spouse	$15.52
  Family	$20.34

• NEW! EyeMed hearing benefits

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  In 2027, enrolled members can receive reimbursement for hearing exams and prescription hearing aids. Hearing benefits will be available through the EyeMed Hearing Indemnity Plan:
  Hearing exam:
  • Adults – $50 reimbursement every 24 months
  • Kids – $50 reimbursement every 12 months
  Prescription hearing aids:
  • Adults – $400 reimbursement per ear every 48 months
  • Kids – $400 reimbursement per ear every 24 months
  Other considerations:
  • No network – members can go anywhere (including Costco)
  • Plan can be combined with other benefits

• 2027 USG Well-being Program

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  For 2027, we’re updating the Well-being Program to give you more flexibility in how you can earn your rewards. The program has the same great rewards plus new resources and time to earn.  

  In place of Weight Watchers, you’ll have new ways to support your well-being while earning a special one-time reward. Whether you’re focused on nutrition, physical activity, stress management or overall wellness, you can enroll in and certify your participation in a program that meets your needs and earn a well-being incentive. 

  Tip: Try Full Plate Living, a no-cost, flexible, plant-rich nutrition approach that helps you build healthy habits for life.

  Reminder: Complete your Health Assessment

  Completing your Health Assessment is a required step for Anthem and Kaiser members to earn rewards.

• Flexible Spending Account Reminder

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  A flexible spending account (FSA) lets you pay for everyday expenses with tax-free payroll contributions, reducing  your federal, state, and Social Security taxes.  If you are contributing to a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) you must re-enroll each year during Open Enrollment. Elections will not roll over for 2027. 

  Additionally, USG provides a grace period of two and a half months after the end of 2026 if you are enrolled in an FSA.  That means, you can continue to incur eligible expenses until March 15, 2027 to deplete your remaining 2026 contributions.  However, you must file for reimbursement by March 30, 2027. If you fail to use all your FSA contributions, you will forfeit those funds. Funds cannot be returned to you per IRS guidelines.

• 2027 Health Savings Account (HSA) Information

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  A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged account that can be used to pay for current or future healthcare expenses.  It is available if you enroll in the Anthem Consumer Choice healthcare plan.  You choose how much you want to put in your HSA each year.  Unused money rolls over each year and stays with you, even if you leave USG.

  2027 HSA contribution limits: Single $4,500, Family $9,000

  2027 USG HSA contribution match: Employee only $325, Family $650

  Your maximum 2027 contribution

  Single $4,500 - $325 (USG match) = $4,175

  Family $9,000 - $650 (USG match) = $8,350

• Switching from an FSA to an HSA?

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  If you switch from a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to a Health Savings Account (HSA) because you elect to enroll in the Anthem Consumer Choice healthcare pland during Open Enrollment, you must have a $0.00 balance in your FSA as of December 31, 2026. If you do not have $0.00 as of the end of the year, your Health Savings Account contributions cannot begin until April 1, 2027, or later. 

  Your contributions will not start automatically. You must contact OneUSG Connect - Benefits at 1-844-587-4236.

• Shared Sick Leave Program Reminder

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  Open Enrollment is your once-a-year opportunity to donate and/or enroll in the Shared Sick Leave pool. The Shared Sick Leave Program allows employees to donate a portion of their unused sick leave to a pool to help coworkers experiencing a serious health condition who have used all of their available paid leave.  Once enrolled, you remain a member of the program throughout your benefits-eligible employment, unless you choose to disenroll.  You must donate a minimum of 8 hours of sick leave.

  To participate, contact your institution’s HR/Benefits Department.

• Update Your Beneficiaries

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  Even if you’re not enrolling in a USG healthcare plan, you should add a beneficiary for your Basic Life and/or Health Savings Account. Beneficiary information can be updated at any time. You will need to have your beneficiary’s name, contact information and Social Security number.

  • Life Insurance: During your enrollment, you will be prompted to add a beneficiary.
  • Health Savings Account: You will need to add a beneficiary through the HSA Bank portal at myaccounts.hsabank.com/Login.aspx.

  Also, remember to update your beneficiary information with your TRS or your retirement vendor (Corebridge, Fidelity, TIAA). Review the contact page for vendor information. 

  To update your USG life insurance beneficiaries, log in to OneUSG Connect - Benefits and: 

  • Select Review and Update Beneficiary from the left menu under Quick Links.
  • Select the life or AD&D plan you want to designate.
  • Select Add or Choose. 
  • Select the beneficiary type from the drop-down menu and click Continue.
  • Enter the beneficiary’s Social Security number, first and last name, date of birth, phone number, email address and mailing address and click Continue.
  • Select primary or contingent and the percentage, if you are designating more than one beneficiary per plan and click Continue.
  • Click Confirm.

  You may also call 1-844-587-4236 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Enhanced Enrollment Support

During Open Enrollment, you’ll have support to help you choose the benefits that work best for you and your family. In addition to our regular call center support, you can schedule an appointment with a Virtual Benefits Counselor.

Virtual Benefits Counselors can help you:

• Review your benefits options
• Get answers to your benefit-related questions, taking into consideration your personal needs.
• Make important benefits decisions

Schedule an appointment with a Virtual Benefits Counselors

Visit benefitsgo/USG and click the link to access the appointment scheduler. You can access the appointment scheduler as early as October 12 (two weeks prior to the start of Open Enrollment). Appointment times are available in 45-minute increments during the Open Enrollment Period from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, with as little as one hour's notice. 

You will receive an appointment confirmation email and a link to a Microsoft Teams meeting immediately. At the scheduled date and time, simply click on the Microsoft Teams meeting link in your confirmation email to join the video call with your Virtual Benefit Counselor.

To enroll without the help of a Virtual Benefits Counselor, go to the OneUSG Connect - Benefits website and click Manage My Benefits for the self-service enrollment portal or call OneUSG Connect - Benefits at 1-844-587-4236 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Prep Tip! To prepare for your Virtual Benefits Counselor video call, make sure you find a quiet place for your call with a good internet connection, allow 30 minutes to complete your enrollment, and have your personal and dependent information (names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers) ready. 

How To Enroll

To enroll or make changes to your USG healthcare and voluntary benefits, visit OneUSG Connect - Benefits, and select Manage My Benefits. If you have questions, call the OneUSG Connect - Benefits Call Center at 1-844-587-4236. Representatives are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Schedule an appointment to meet with a Virtual Benefits Counselor to receive an in-depth benefits review and get help making your 2027 benefits elections. To schedule an appointment, visit benefitsgo/USG during Open Enrollment. 

Enroll anywhere, anytime with the Alight Mobile app!

• Download the Alight Mobile app at alight.com/app, the App Store or Google Play
• Enter University System of Georgia
• Select Login with your employer credentials
   

Frequently Asked Questions

• I am planning to retire in 2027. Do I need to add my spouse during Open Enrollment?

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  If you are planning to retire in 2027, you must be an active USG healthcare plan participant immediately before you retire. You should enroll in the year prior to your retirement to be eligible to continue USG retiree healthcare benefits into retirement. If your spouse currently has other coverage with their employer, you do not need to add them during Open Enrollment. You can add them to your USG retiree coverage if they experience a qualifying life event (such as losing coverage from their employer) if you contact OneUSG Connect - Benefits within 30 days of the date of the life event.

• I am actively working and turning 65 this year. Do I need to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B?

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  As long as you are actively working and covered under a USG healthcare plan, you are not required to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Keep in mind, you may be automatically enrolled in Part A (no cost). Once you retire, you will need to enroll in Medicare Part B. 

• I do not use tobacco, and I updated my status during Open Enrollment last year. Do I need to update my status again?

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  Yes. If you are enrolled in a USG healthcare plan, you must update your status every year during Open Enrollment. If you do not complete your tobacco use certification during Open Enrollment, you will default and be charged a tobacco surcharge $150 per employee and covered dependents (age 18+). We recommend that you review your confirmation statement after enrollment and your first paycheck in January 2027.