Post Docs 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.
Open Enrollment provides an annual opportunity to reflect upon your current benefit elections and make any needed changes for the upcoming 2026 calendar year, including adding or removing eligible dependents. Any changes to your health and welfare plans must be completed during the 2026 Open Enrollment period*, with changes going into effect on January 1, 2026.
If you choose not to take action, your existing coverage options, including medical/prescription, from 2025 will roll over into 2026.
Open Enrollment Events
This year’s Open Enrollment period will offer both in-person and virtual opportunities for support. We invite you to join us for our annual OE Fest experience, where activities vary by location and may include complimentary vision screenings, vaccine clinics, massages, and more. You’ll also have the chance to speak directly with GW benefit plan providers and receive assistance with the enrollment process.
Virtual webinars, hosted by our vendor partners, will be offered throughout OE to provide detailed information about the 2026 benefit programs.
New this year, we’re introducing a Benefits Enrollment Support Drop-In event on October 23—a smaller, one-stop opportunity designed to help you make informed decisions about benefits tied to Open Enrollment. At this event, you can explore benefit options, ask questions, receive personalized guidance from the GW Benefits team and participating vendor partners, and complete your enrollment on-site.
Please mark your calendar and be on the lookout for chances to win exciting prizes and swag this Open Enrollment season.
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.
Our Benefits Call Center and our team are always here to help you along the way.
Be well,
GW Benefits
*Changes requested outside of Open Enrollment must be accompanied by a Qualified Life Event.
Online Enrollment via the GW Benefits Enrollment System
During the Open Enrollment season, employees will elect benefits through the GW benefits enrollment system, which has a single-sign-on capability. When you are logged into your GW computer with your UserID and password, you will automatically be able to enter the enrollment system to elect and/or make changes to benefits for 2026. When logging in to the enrollment system from a non-GW computer, you will be prompted to log into Microsoft online and will subsequently enter the enrollment system.
Benefits Call Center
The Benefits Call Center is here to support you as you review your benefit elections and make your Open Enrollment decisions. As you elect benefits via the GW benefits enrollment system, benefits counselors are available to help answer questions along the way. The service is available M - F, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET. Please have your GWID available.
On the Go? Download the mobile app, enter our company code GWbenefitscenter, along with your GWID and password (date of birth in MMDDYYYY format), and take your GW benefits with you wherever you go.
We are Here to Help
Email any questions to benefits
gwu [dot] edu (benefits[at]gwu[dot]edu). Or, call the Benefits Call Center at (833) 698–0324.
Reminder: Give your address a checkup!
Each year, take some time to review and confirm your campus, check & W-4, and work location* addresses in GWeb to ensure you receive timely information. Log in to GWeb and access the Employee Information tab to confirm and/or update your address information.
*Work Location is defined as the physical location where you are working more than 50% of your time.
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 intentional 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.
We invite you to listen to the on-demand virtual Coffee Chat where we will provide an overview of your 2026 benefit offerings including our new medical vendor partner, introduce our 2026 Open Enrollment Guide, highlight important features of the GW Benefits enrollment system, and recap well-being programs available to you and your family.
This session will be available on-demand beginning September 29th, listen at your convenience and reach out to benefitsgwu [dot] edu with any questions.
Vendor Change: Aetna as new medical plan and prescription benefit provider for 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, the GW Postdoc PPO including both medical and prescription benefits will be provided by Aetna. This means that the plan design and benefit coverage as well as the plan administration (i.e. provider network, service experience and support tools) will be provided by Aetna replacing our current providers, UnitedHealthcare/OptumRx.
Note: If you do not take action during open enrollment, your current medical election, i.e. GW Postdoc PPO will automatically roll forward— if you currently participate in the GW Postdoc PPO and make no election you will continue in that plan administered by Aetna; if you currently waive coverage and make no election, you will waive coverage for 2026.
As part of the transition to Aetna as our medical plan administrator in 2026, Postdocs 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 explore the Discover the Aetna Healthcare Experience session - On Demand.
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 "Managed Choice® POS (Open Access)” as your plan and click "Continue".
This will help you confirm whether your provider is part of Aetna’s network.
*If by chance, a preferred doctor is not in Aetna’s network, please reach out to GW Benefits. Although in network status is not guaranteed, Aetna’s network team will reach out to the provider to explore network status.
2026 Medical Plan and Contribution Overview
Beginning January 1, 2026, the GW Postdoc PPO will include the following changes and expanded coverage:
- Walk-in Clinic In-network (e.g. CVS Minute Clinic): increased coverage to 100% no deductible
- Acupuncture: added coverage for 10 visits per year, 100% after $30 copay in-network, 60% out-of-network
- Allergy Injections: increased in-network coverage to 100%, no deductible, no copay
- Outpatient Mental and Substance Abuse Therapy Visits: increased coverage to 100% in-network, no deductible, no copay; 80% after deductible out-of-network
- Durable Medical Equipment: out-of-network coverage added at 60% after deductible
The Postdoc Medical Plan contributions will increase for 2026. The monthly full-time postdoc contribution increase will range from approximately $10 to $51, depending on your coverage level.
2026 Pharmacy Overview
Beginning January 1, 2026, when you elect the GW Postdoc PPO, your accompanying prescription drug coverage will include the following programs/features:
- Maintenance Choice with Opt-Out: This program allows members to fill 90-day supplies of long-term (maintenance) medications at the lowest cost either by mail or via an in-network participating pharmacy including CVS Pharmacy. This program is mandatory for all 90-day fills unless the member opts out.
- Transition Fill Program: This program allows a one-time fill within the first 90-days of eligibility for a non-specialty drug that has prior authorization, step therapy, or is a non-formulary drug.
- Choose Generics Program: This program encourages members to use generic medications instead of brand-name drugs when available. Generics contain the same active ingredients, strength, and dosage as their brand-name counterparts but typically cost significantly less. Note: If you do choose the brand name drug when a generic equivalent is available, you will be responsible for both the generic drug copay and the the difference in cost between the brand and generic drug.
- Specialty medications: Beginning, January 1st, specialty medications must be filled through an Aetna in-network specialty pharmacy. Learn More Here: Specialty Pharmacy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is my medication covered by Aetna?
- To find out if your medication is covered, check the 2025 Advanced Control Plan- Aetna formulary (Note: 2026 formulary will be available starting January 1, 2026.)
- Is my pharmacy in the Aetna network?
- To see if your pharmacy is in-network, check Aetna Network Pharmacies
- When prompted, use following pharmacy network name: Aetna National Pharmacy Network (most common)
- Where can I find more information?
- Review additional Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
*A note about prior authorizations for medications: Any prior authorization from OptumRx does not carry over to Aetna. Members will need to contact their doctor to request a new pre-authorization review.
2026 Dental Contribution Overview
Dental premiums for GW’s dental plans are increasing, and Postdoc contributions will increase
What's Staying the Same for 2026
The programs below will continue for 2026.
Health & Well-Being Benefits
- Family Care Benefits from Bright Horizons
- Health Advocate
- Headspace
- SimpleTherapy
- Capital Bikeshare
- Tobacco Cessation
- Critical Illness
- Hospital Indemnity
- Legal Resources
- Active & Fit Direct
- Life and AD&D
- Disability Insurance (Basic LTD)
- Group Home and Auto Insurance
- Pet Insurance
- Identity Theft
2026 Vision Contribution Overview
Vision contributions for participating employees will not increase in 2026. The Basic and Enhanced vision plans will continue to be offered through UnitedHealthcare and there will be no changes in coverage or plan design.
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.
Tip: Try Health Advocate
Receive personalized, prompt, and reliable expert help in navigating the healthcare maze, while saving time and money, with Health Advocate. Need assistance understanding your medical bills, or looking for more information about treatment options? Health Advocate can help you and your family members at no cost. For details, visit hr.gwu.edu/health-advocate.
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.
Several resources and information sessions are made available to you during the weeks leading up to and during Open Enrollment. We encourage you to attend our open enrollment events, including in-person Fests and virtual Postdoc Coffee Chat to ask questions as you choose plan(s) and benefits that are the best fit for you and your family.
View the Open Enrollment Events
Virtual Coffee Chat with Benefits
We invite you to listen to the on-demand Virtual Coffee Chat where we will provide an overview of your 2026 benefit offerings including our new medical vendor partner, introduce our 2026 Open Enrollment Guide, highlight important features of the GW Benefits enrollment system, and recap well-being programs available to you and your family.
This session will be available on-demand beginning September 30th, listen at your convenience and reach out to benefits@ gwu.edu with any questions.
Event information is available at go.gwu.edu/2026oeevents.
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 vaccines(s) at one of the clinics are strongly encouraged to register in advance. Insurance Information will be collected during the registration process. GW Postdocs enrolled on a GW medical plan, please have your UHC ID card available when registering. For more details and appointment scheduling, visit GW Flu and COVID Vaccines Services.
Postdocs covered by a GW medical plan can also visit area pharmacies and convenience care clinics to receive a flu shot at no cost. If visiting one of these, please present your UHC 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.
Tip: Be Kind to your mind with Headspace
Headspace, the mindfulness app, is available at no cost for Postdocs. The app includes guided meditations, sleep programs, exercises and more. Kids programs include themes such as calm, kindness, and bedtime.
The GW Benefits Enrollment System
Beginning October 6, 2025, Postdocs may log in to the GW benefits enrollment system 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.
Tip: Add Dependents and Keep Beneficiary Information Up-To-Date
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.
Each year it is also good practice to review your life insurance beneficiaries during open enrollment. While Beneficiaries can be changed at any time during the year, this may be a good time to review and update the information if necessary. Visit go.gwu.edu/enroll4benefits to review.
In the coming weeks:
- You will receive more detailed information regarding 2026 Open Enrollment.
- 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 Benefits Call Center at (833) 698-0324 or email benefitsgwu [dot] edu (benefits[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Reminder: 1095-C Tax Form Electronic Consent for Postdoc Associates
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/enroll4benefits 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 employees 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
833-698–0324 with any questions
you have in advance of the Open Enrollment period.