Open Enrollment is the period each year when benefits-eligible colleagues can make changes to their health insurance and other select benefits for the upcoming year, without a qualifying event. This season’s Open Enrollment runs November 7 through November 17, 2025, with elections effective January 1, 2026. To participate in Open Enrollment, please visit Hornet HQ and click on the Benefits tab.
The plans and coverages you elect will be effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. All deductibles and co-insurances reset annually on January 1.
Questions? Check out the Enrollment Guide and Frequently Asked Questions. You can also contact Human Resources at HR.Benefits@kzoo.edu, or post your questions in the Open Enrollment Team.
🩺 ASR Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Enrollment
Enrollment for ASR Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance will be available through the Benefits Enrollment Online link (and via Hornet HQ) from November 14 through November 22, 2024.
Eligible retirees who wish to participate should complete the appropriate Open Enrollment form, as they will not have access to enroll through Hornet HQ.
Please visit Benefits Enrollment Online for step-by-step instructions on how to complete your enrollment.
If you need to update your ASR Coordination of Benefits, please complete the Coordination of Benefits form.
Information about both plans, along with associated costs, can be found on the Healthcare page.
Salaries in effect on July 1, 2025 will be used to determine employee contribution amounts.
2026 Changes
Medical
Black Plan
| Benefit Plan Design Element | Tier 1 – Nomi | Tier 2 – HAP/PC | Tier 3 – Out of Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deductibles | $0.00 Single/ $0.00 Family | $2,000 Single/$4,000 Family | $4,000 Single/$8,000 Family |
| Coinsurance | 100% | 70% | 50% |
| Total Out of Pocket Max | $7,150 Single/ $14,300 Family | $7,150 Single/ $14,300 Family | N/A |
| Urgent Care | $35 | $75 | Deds/Coins |
| Emergency Room | $200 | $200 | Deds/Coins |
Orange Plan
| Benefit Plan Design Element | Tier 1 – Nomi | Tier 2 – HAP/PC | Tier 3 – Out of Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deductibles | $0.00 Single/ $0.00 Family | $1,000 Single/$2,000 Family | $2,000 Single/$4,000 Family |
| 100% | 80% | 50% | |
| Total Out of Pocket Max | $7,150 Single/ $14,300 Family | $7,150 Single/ $14,300 Family | N/A |
| PCP | $0.00 | $25.00 | Deds/Coins |
| Specialist | $0.00 | $40.00 | Deds/Coins |
| Urgent Care | $25.00 | $50.00 | Deds/Coins |
| Emergency Room | $200 | $200 | Deds/Coins |
Dental – No Changes
Vision – No Changes
Pharmacy
| Drug Category | Up to 30 Day Supply | 31 – 90 Day Supply |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 – Generic | $15.00 | $35.00 |
| Tier 2 – Brand | $40.00 | $100.00 |
| Tier 3 – Non-preferred Brand or Specialty | $75.00 | $225.00 |
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Enrollment
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA), also known as a flexible spending arrangement, is a special savings account you put money into that you use to pay for certain, qualified out-of-pocket health care costs. You don’t pay taxes on this money. This means you’ll save an amount equal to the taxes you would have paid on the money you set aside. Employees seeking to contribute into an FSA account, must use Benefits Enrollment Online to actively enroll in the plan and set their contribution amount.
Plan Information
| Health Care FSA | Dependent Care FSA | |
| Maximum Contribution | $3,400 | $7,500 ($3,750 if married and filing separately) |
| Elected funds are available | 1/1/2026 | As funds are contributed |
| Expenses must be incurred between | 1/1/2026 – 12/31/2026 | 1/1/2026 – 12/31/2026 |
| Submit Expenses for reimbursement by | 3/31/2027 | 3/31/2027 |
| Rollover Amount | $680 | N/A |
| Rollover funds are available | 4/1/2027 | N/A |
| compatible with an HDHP + HSA Plan | No | Yes |
The Tax Advantage
The flexible spending account plan provides an excellent, tax-advantaged way to budget for current, qualified health care expenses.
- Please review the qualified expenses to calculate the amount you will need for the 2026 calendar year.
- Remember this is a “use it or lose it” savings account with only $680 allowed to “roll over” into the next calendar year (2027).
- Sign up to contribute a set amount per pay frequency (24 pays for bi-weekly and 12 for monthly), which cannot exceed $3,400 ($141.67 bi-weekly or $283.33 monthly) for calendar year 2026.
Voluntary Life Insurance Enrollment: Unum – Still Paper-based Enrollment. Not on Hornet HQ
Protect Your Finances
Kalamazoo College is proud to partner with Unum to offer Voluntary Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (ADD), and Accident Insurance. If you wish to make changes to Voluntary Life and ADD, you may do that now. If you are keeping the same coverage, you do not need to take action.
- Voluntary life insurance is life insurance coverage in addition to the basic life insurance that the College provides at no cost for you.
- Accidental death and dismemberment provide coverage, if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness.
- Accident insurance can pay you money for covered injuries and their treatment.
Unum Voluntary Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (ADD), and Accident Insurance Enrollment packets will be emailed to your K College email address upon request.
- If you wish to make changes to Voluntary Life and ADD you may do that now. If you are keeping the same coverage, you do not need to take action. Evidence of Insurability may be required based on changes you decide to make.
- If you are enrolling for the first time in Voluntary Life and ADD you will be required to complete Evidence of Insurability.
- If you would like to elect Accident Insurance, you may do that now. If you were enrolled previously in Accident Insurance, you must turn in a new form to continue coverage.
- Unum plans and costs are effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
- Unum forms are due to Human Resources by November 22, 2025.
2025 Changes to Basic Life, STD and LTD plans
Basic Life Insurance – No Changes
Short-term Disability (STD) – No changes
Long-term Disability (LTD) – No Changes
Open Enrollment Assistance
Miasha Wilson will be available for open enrollment assistance by appointment and as listed below:
- Wednesday: 11/12 – 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Mandelle Hall Office 106
- Friday: 11/14 – 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Mandelle Hall Office 106
Informational Sessions
Renee Boelcke will be in Mandelle Hall’s Olmsted room to present benefits enrollment information, answer employee questions and address concerns related to the 2025 Benefits package on the following dates and times:
- Friday, November 7, 10:00 a.m
- Monday, November 10, 4:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 11, 1:00 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Burnham and Flower/Acrisure
I wish to keep my Flexible Spending Account contributions the same. Do I need to do anything?
Yes. Please log in to Hornet HQ to elect a new contribution amount for the 2025 plan year.
When will my elected funds be available to me?
For the Health Care FSA, elected funds are all available on Jan 1. For Dependent Care FSA, elected funds are available as they are contributed each pay period.
When do changes take effect?
Changes are effective on January 1, 2026.
Where can I find more information on flexible spending accounts (FSAs).
Detailed information concerning the FSA plan and administrator can be found on the HR Flexible Spending Webpage.
Health, Dental and Vision – ASR (and BHS for Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Autism Services)
When does my deductible reset?
Deductibles, co-insurances and out-of-pocket maximums all reset on January 1, 2026.
When do changes take effect?
Changes are effective on January 1, 2026.
I had a change in other health insurance that I have. Do I need to do anything?
Yes, please update your ASR Coordination of Benefits form.
I see that employee contributions continue to be based in salaries. How does that work?
The annualized base salary in effect on July 1, 2025 is used to determine the employee contribution.
How are pre-65 retiree rates determined and what will they be?
Pre-65 retiree rates are based on the full premium (employer plus employee) with an approximate 30% discount. Pre-65 retirees who began their employment at K before October 2001 are eligible for the grandfathered rates.
Standard Monthly Health Insurance Rates
| Coverage | Black Plan | Orange Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $578.77 | $623.98 |
| Double | $1,389.04 | $1,497.56 |
| Family | $1,736.30 | $1,871.96 |
Grandfathered Monthly Health Insurance Rates
| Coverage | Black Plan | Orange Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $178.77 | $223.98 |
| Double | $989.04 | $1,097.56 |
| Family | $1,336.30 | $1,471.96 |
Where can I learn more about the health plan that is currently in place?
Voluntary Life, AD&D and Accident Coverage – Unum
I don’t want to make any changes to my life and/or accident insurance. What do I need to do?
For life insurance coverage to continue do nothing. You do not need to take action, if you wish to keep your life insurance unchanged. However, for accident coverage, a form must be completed annually. Those who are currently enrolled will receive new forms emailed to their K College email address on 11/14/2024. Other employees will need to email hr.benefits@kzoo.edu to request enrollment forms.
I am enrolling in voluntary life insurance and/or accident insurance for the first time at K. Is there anything else that I need to do?
Yes, enrollment is paper based. Please email HR.Benefits@kzoo.edu for enrollment forms. If you are enrolling for the first time in voluntary life insurance and/or accidental death and disability insurance, you will be required to complete Evidence of Insurability as well. Unum will contact you directly about completing the Evidence of Insurability form.
When do changes take effect?
Changes are effective on January 1, 2026.
How much life insurance does the College purchase for me?
Generally, the College purchases 2x a person’s salary, up to $100,000 in coverage.
How do I calculate the premiums for voluntary life and AD&D insurance
Monthly premiums may be calculated using the link provided. Please contact hr.benefits@kzoo.edu with questions.
How can I learn more about life, accidental death and dismemberment, and accident insurance?
Where to send Questions?
Please address all inquiries to hr.benefits@kzoo.edu to ensure a prompt response during open enrollment.