LTD Recipients Open Enrollment Benefits Overview
2026 Open Enrollment Period: October 6 - 24, 2025
Dear George Washington University Community,
Welcome to the 2026 Benefits Open Enrollment season!
Open Enrollment begins on Monday, October 6, 2025, and ends at 8 p.m. (ET) on Friday, October 24, 2025.
The Open Enrollment period is your annual opportunity to review the benefits offered by the university and to change your benefit selections for the upcoming year. You can add or remove benefits, dependents, and more. Any changes requested to your health and welfare plans after the Open Enrollment period will require a Qualified Life Event, such as a change in marital status, spouse’s work status or coverage, etc.
*Important: The Open Enrollment period that runs October 6-24, 2025, is only for those LTD recipients or dependents who are continuing benefits via bswift. For those continuing benefits through Via Benefits, please see the "Post-Age 65 LTD Recipients and dependents" section below.
Be well,
GW Benefits
Benefits Overview
It is important to prioritize your health and well-being goals. Open Enrollment 2026 provides the opportunity for you to reevaluate your current benefits and make choices for the year ahead that will allow you to maximize your health and well-being.
Please take a moment to review this summary of what’s changing and what’s staying the same for the upcoming year.
Vendor Change: Aetna as GW's Medical Plan Administrator for 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, GW will partner with Aetna as the new administrator of GW's medical plan. This means Aetna will take over administration of our medical plan offering (GW LTD PPO), replacing our current provider, UnitedHealthcare. Note: Prescription drug coverage will continue to be provided through CVS Caremark.
There will be no changes to the medical plan designs or lapse in coverage—only the administrator is changing. The structure of the plans, including coverage levels, coinsurance, and copays, remains the same. The provider network, service experience, and support tools will transition to be managed by Aetna.
Note: If you do not take action during open enrollment, your current medical election, i.e. GW LTD PPO will automatically roll forward.
As part of the transition to Aetna as our medical plan administrator in 2026, LTD recipients can expect several enhancements designed to improve the overall healthcare experience. These service improvements aim to make it easier for you to access care, navigate your benefits, and receive personalized support, while maintaining the quality and coverage you rely on.
- Enhanced Member Support: Dedicated customer service line for GW plan participants, offering personalized assistance
- Improved Digital Tools: Access to Aetna’s enhanced member portal and mobile app for easier navigation of benefits, claims, and provider searches
- Expanded Provider Network: Broad national network that maintains access to most current providers while offering additional in-network options
- Simplified Navigation: Streamlined coordination for claims, referrals, and pre-authorizations
- Focused Health Resources and Communications: Access to timely wellness communications and care management programs tailored to chronic conditions, preventive care, and mental health support
For more information, please join us for an upcoming webinar with Aetna.
Tip! Want to check if your preferred provider is in-network before the transition?
Visit www.Aetna.com and follow these steps:
- Click “Find a doctor” at the top of the page.
- Under the “Don’t have a member account?”, Select “Plan from an Employer”.
- Under "Continue as a Guest", Enter your ZIP code.
- On the next screen, under "Select a Plan", scroll to “Aetna Open Access Plans" and select "Aetna Choice POS II (Open Access)” as your plan and click "Continue".
This will help you confirm whether your provider is part of Aetna’s network.
2026 Medical Contribution Overview
LTD recipients and their dependents under age 65 will see an increase of 6.5% in premiums for 2026. As noted above, GW will continue to offer the GW LTD PPO with CVS prescription coverage. There will be no changes in coverage.
Our Shared Responsibility
As we expect continued upward pressure on the cost of our medical plans, it's important to remember we all play a part in helping control costs.
Our medical plans are self-insured which means the university pays the claims. Aetna will process the claims from health providers for GW plan participants and their covered dependents.
Our premiums for the medical plans are based on our claims experience. High volume and / or high-cost claims in a year directly impact the premiums we pay as participants in the following year.
But you can help. When you get regular wellness visits and timely screenings, use in-network providers, and thoughtfully consider care, you generally incur less in claim costs, which has a direct impact on next year’s premiums.
Post-Age 65 LTD Recipients and dependents
For LTD recipients and dependents age 65 and older enrolled in coverage with Via Benefits, the Open Enrollment period will be October 15 – December 7, 2025. For more information, contact Via Benefits at (855) 232-5748.
Note: LTD recipients enrolled at Via Benefits who opted to continue dental and/or vision coverage through bswift, please see “How to Enroll” section for more Open Enrollment details.
2026 Dental Contribution Overview
Dental premiums for GW’s dental plans are increasing, and as a result contributions
What's Staying the Same for 2026
The following programs and benefits will continue to be available in 2026.
Health & Well-Being Benefits
- Group Home and Auto Insurance
- Health Advocate
- Pet Insurance
- Identity Theft
- Progyny Fertility and Family Building (available to GW LTD PPO participants)
- Real Appeal
- Tobacco Cessation
Pharmacy Benefit Features
- PrudentRx Pharmacy Benefit
- Mandatory Maintenance Choice - All Access with Opt-Out
- Diabetes Management Program with Hypertension
Medical Plan Features / Programs
- Centers of Excellence
- Freestanding Imaging and Labs Preferred Network
- Virtual Visits
- GW Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) Benefit Coverage Tier on the LTD
DID YOU KNOW?
Your UHC Vision plan includes express vision exams (some state restrictions apply), a broad pediatric vision benefit, expanded benefits for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and a hearing discount.
Tools, Information, and Services Available to You
The annual Open Enrollment period is a time of opportunity. As you review the 2026 benefit programs and changes, you are welcome to include your family in the planning process, if applicable.
Visit the 2026 Open Enrollment website at go.gwu.edu/2026oe to access the LTD Open Enrollment Guide, contribution rates, calendar of events, and more.
In-Person Open Enrollment Events
Meet GW's vendor partners, ask questions and receive enrollment assistance during the annual Open Enrollment events. Check out our events page at go.gwu.edu/2026oeevents for details.
View the Open Enrollment Events
Virtual 1:1 Appointments
Have questions about your 2026 medical plan? Register for a 10-minute appointment with Aetna. Appointments are one-on-one and offer you a chance to ask questions specific to your situation.
Flu and COVID Vaccines
In partnership with the Medical Faculty Associates (MFA), flu and COVID vaccine clinics will be held at the Foggy Bottom Campus and Virginia Science and Technology Campus (VSTC) during October including on the open enrollment fest dates. Those who wish to receive their vaccine(s) at one of the clinics are strongly encouraged to register in advance. Insurance Information will be collected during the registration process. GW LTD recipients enrolled on a GW medical plan, please have your UHC ID card available when registering. For more details, visit GW Flu and COVID Vaccines Services.
LTD recipients covered by a GW medical plan can also visit area pharmacies and convenience care clinics to receive a flu shot and COVID shot at no cost. If visiting one of these, please present your CVS Caremark ID card.
If you are not covered on a GW medical plan, please verify costs with your health insurance company. Most plans will cover the full cost of seasonal flu shots.
Please note: If you require a high-dose flu shot, generally recommended for those over age 65, please consult with your healthcare provider or pharmacy in advance regarding availability.
Call Center Hours
We understand the need for timely and accurate responses to your benefit questions and concerns during this period. The GW Benefits Call Center is available 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET Monday - Friday. Call (866) 365-2413 for assistance with any benefits questions or for enrollment assistance. The GW Benefits Team is also available to provide support.
How to Enroll
Beginning October 6, 2025, you may log in to the GW benefits enrollment system at go.gwu.edu/directbill to review, change, or select your benefits options. You are allowed to log in to the enrollment system and make changes as often as you would like during the three-week Open Enrollment period.
The deadline to make changes is 8 p.m. (ET) on October 24, 2025. Please remember that most changes made during the Open Enrollment period become effective January 1, 2026.
IMPORTANT: If you choose not to continue medical coverage during Open Enrollment, you will not be eligible to participate in GW medical plans in the future.
Reminder
If you do not wish to make any changes, no action is needed. All of your eligible 2025 benefit elections (medical/prescription, dental, and vision) will roll over to 2026. However, we recommend that you review your current elections to ensure that they still provide the coverage you need.
GW LTD PPO Medical Plan Pre-Medicare and Medicare Rates
The GW LTD PPO has different rates for plan participants depending on the Medicare eligibility of the LTD recipient and dependents. If you and/or your dependents are eligible for Medicare, are paying the higher GW LTD PPO Pre-Medicare rates and would like to be enrolled at the GW LTD PPO Medicare rates, please contact GW Benefits at benefits
gwu [dot] edu (benefits[at]gwu[dot]edu) or (571) 553-8382 for further assistance.
We strongly encourage you to contact Health Advocate at (866) 695-8622 prior to enrolling in medical coverage, especially regarding your Medicare eligibility status and how Medicare coordinates with the university’s medical insurance plans.
Direct Bill Premiums
Once you make your Open Enrollment coverage selection(s), you will receive payment invoices after the Open Enrollment period has ended, which you can use to submit your payments to bswift beginning January 2026 and going forward. Note: your monthly plan cost(s) may change for the new plan year even if you do not make any changes to your coverage.
Tip: Add Dependents
If adding a new dependent to coverage during Open Enrollment, supporting documentation (e.g. copies of birth or marriage certificates) must be received by Benefits by Friday, October 31, 2025. You can submit documentation two ways:
- You have the ability to upload documents in your Employee Profile on the confirmation page (at the top of the screen, click My Profile, then click Employee File) after making your benefit elections in the benefits enrollment system; or,
- You may submit your supporting documentation via email at benefitsgwu [dot] edu (benefits[at]gwu[dot]edu) or fax at (571) 553-8385. If emailing, please be sure to send via secure email.
Dependent enrollment is pending until documentation is received and verified. Please note that your spouse/domestic partner and dependents cannot enroll in any university-sponsored plan unless you are also enrolled.
In the coming weeks:
- The 2026 Open Enrollment Guide will be available prior to the Open Enrollment period and linked as a quick reference in the enrollment system
- If you have any questions in advance of the 2026 Open Enrollment period, please contact the GW Benefits Call Center at (866) 365-2413 or email benefitsgwu [dot] edu.
Reminder: 1095-C Tax Form Electronic Consent
Did You Know that you can receive your 1095-C form electronically? Save time, support sustainability, and keep things secure. Login to go.gwu.edu/directbill to complete your online consent form to receive your 1095-C electronically. Once available, your form will be securely posted and stored to your employee file.
What is a Form 1095-C?
Eligible plan participants will receive a Form 1095-C tax document annually, which reports information about your medical coverage.
While you will not need to include your 1095-C with your tax return filing or send it to the IRS, you may need information from your 1095-C to help complete your tax return. Think of it as your “proof of medical insurance” for the IRS.
Please contact the Benefits Call Center at
866-365–2413 with any questions
you have in advance of the Open Enrollment period.