Open Enrollment FAQs

What happens if I don't do Open Enrollment?

If you choose not to complete the 2027 Open Enrollment event in Workday, your current 2026 elections for health, dental, vision, and your Health Savings Account (HSA) will automatically continue into 2027.

Your 2026 HSA employee contribution amount will also carry over to 2027. Note: You may change your HSA employee contribution amount at any time during the year.

If you enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2026 and do not complete Open Enrollment, your FSA election will not carry over to 2027. You must actively enroll in an FSA each year.

If you begin making changes during Open Enrollment but do not submit your 2027 Open Enrollment event in Workday, your in-progress changes will not be saved. Your current 2026 elections will remain in effect for 2027, except for your FSA elections, which will not carry over.

Can I start my Open Enrollment process and save it to finish it later?

Yes. You can use the Save for Later button to save your progress and return to your Open Enrollment event at any time, provided you submit it in Workday before Open Enrollment closes on October 17 at 11:59 p.m.

How will I know if I am benefits eligible? 

You will receive a Workday inbox task during Open Enrollment. Allowing you to choose benefits. 

Can married UVA employees share a health plan?

Yes. If both spouses work for UVA, they may choose which spouse enrolls in coverage and which spouse waives coverage, or they may each enroll in their own health plan.

A non-UVA spouse who has access to health coverage through their employer that meets the Affordable Care Act's affordability and minimum value standards is not eligible to enroll as a dependent on a UVA health plan, except if all of the employer's available health plans are HMOs and the spouse lives outside the HMOs' service areas. In that case, the spouse is eligible to enroll as a dependent on the UVA employee's health plan.

How do preventive care services compare between the three health plan options?

Preventive care services (in-network only) are the same for all three health plan options, and are covered at 100%, with no deductible.

Where can I obtain a flu vaccine? What is the cost?

UVA employees and their dependents covered by the UVA Health Plan may obtain a flu shot through their Primary Care Physician, or at a pharmacy in Aetna's National Pharmacy Network.

Flu shots will be offered at all locations of the 2026 Benefits & Well-Being Expo.

Note: If you went to a participating pharmacy and were charged for your flu vaccine, you can submit a reimbursement to Aetna. Complete steps 1-25 in the reimbursement form, and attach your receipt and other supporting documentation.

What health plan do I choose if I’ve been newly granted a J Visa, or if I’m granted a different type of visa after having a J Visa?

If you have been newly granted a J Visa during the year, you must move from the UVA Health Plan to the UVA J Visa Health Plan. These are two entirely different health plans, and moving from the UVA Health Plan to the UVA J Visa Health Plan is allowed throughout the year in order to comply with federal health coverage requirements.

If you have been on the UVA J Visa Health Plan and are newly granted a different type of visa, you must stay on the UVA J Visa Plan for the rest of the calendar year. You must elect enrollment in the UVA Health Plan during the next Open Enrollment. 

Can I enroll in Health Savings option and HSA if I’m enrolling or am enrolled in Medicare?

No. If you enroll in Medicare, you are not eligible to enroll in the Health Savings option or contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA).

The UVA Health Plan does not allow you to change health plan options during the plan year. If you expect to enroll in Medicare during the upcoming calendar year, choose a different health plan option.

Enrolling in Medicare while covered under the Health Savings option may affect your HSA eligibility and could result in IRS tax consequences.

When making your Open Enrollment elections, choose the health plan option that best meets your needs for the entire calendar year.

Can I sign up for the Health Savings option with the HSA if my spouse on my UVA Health Plan is enrolled in Medicare?

Yes. You may use HSA funds for your spouse even if your spouse is on Medicare. The spouse must be declared on your federal income taxes as a dependent (i.e. filing jointly), and the expense in question is not already covered by Medicare. Otherwise, if the expense is eligible, not already covered by insurance, and your spouse is a tax dependent, then you may use HSA funds to pay for it.

You and your Medicare-eligible dependent will still receive $1,500 seed money for your Health Savings HSA.

Do I (or my spouse) have to enroll in Medicare once I turn 65? I am already enrolled in the UVA Health Plan.

You do not have to enroll in Medicare until you end your employment with UVA. Your benefits counselor will provide you with the form CMS-L564 to negate the late enrollment penalty. 

You can choose to enroll in part A and waive part B, but this will terminate your eligibility for UVA's Health Savings option. 

Can my spouse and I both have an HSA?

Yes, both spouses can have their own individual HSA, whether they work for the same employer or different employers. However, the IRS maximum contribution is a household maximum, so the combined contribution of both spouses, along with any employer contribution, cannot exceed $8,750. If each spouse has employee only coverage, each spouse cannot contribute more than $4,400 each, including employer contributions. 

I am turning 65 this year. Can I have an HSA?

If you will be enrolled in Medicare Part A or B at any time during the year, you should not enroll in the Health Savings option since you cannot contribute to an HSA while on Medicare (employer contributions are included in this). You will not be able to change your plan option during the plan year, so please make sure your choices for the following calendar year are appropriate for the entire year.

I am changing from Health Savings option to UVA PPO or Choice and I have an HSA.  What do I need to do?

You can keep the funds in your HSA and continue to use them for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. However, you can no longer contribute to the HSA. 

There is no requirement to spend down your HSA before moving to another plan, even if you will enroll in an FSA. 

If you or your spouse enroll in a full health care FSA, neither you or your spouse can contribute to an HSA.

You may enroll in an HSA and a Limited FSA and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement FSA to maximize your savings.

I am changing from the UVA PPO or Choice to the Health Savings option. I had a full healthcare FSA in 2025. What do I need to do in order to have an HSA in 2027? 

You must spend down your FSA funds to $0 by 12/31/2026 to open your HSA in January 2026. If you have any funds left in your FSA in 2025, your HSA cannot be opened until April of 2026, after the FSA grace period has ended. 

We recommend that you do not wait until the last week of December to spend the funds so that there is enough time for processing payments. 

Can my spouse and I both have a FSA?

Both spouses can each have a Healthcare FSA whether they work for the same employer or different employers and both can contribute the maximum amount to each account.

Dependent Care Accounts, however, have a household limit of $7,500, so, if you and your spouse both have a DCA, your combined annual contribution cannot exceed $7,500. 

If you end employment at UVA before depleting funds in your FSA, you will lose them.

Can I enroll in an Full FSA if my spouse has an HSA?

No, the IRS does not allow for a household to have both.