COBRA Participants Open Enrollment Benefits Overview
Dear George Washington University Community,
Our records indicate that you are newly eligible or are currently enrolled in the COBRA benefit continuation program through bswift. As a COBRA-eligible participant, you have the opportunity to elect or change your benefits coverage, including adding or removing dependents during the annual Open Enrollment for the upcoming year. The Open Enrollment period will begin on Monday, October 6, 2025, and end at 8 p.m. (ET) on Friday, October 24, 2025 with any changes effective January 1, 2026.
Any changes requested to your health and welfare plans after the Open Enrollment period will require a Qualified Life Event (QLE), such as a change in marital status, spouse’s work status or coverage, etc.
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 plans. This means Aetna will take over administration of our medical plan offerings (GW PPO and GW Health Savings Plan (GW HSP)), 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 plan designs including deductibles, coinsurance, co-pays, out of pocket maximums, etc. remain 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 PPO or GW HSP will automatically roll forward.
As part of the transition to Aetna as our medical plan administrator in 2026, employees 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 employees, 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
COBRA 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 PPO and HSP medical plans with CVS prescription coverage. There will be no changes in coverage.
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.
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 PPO medical plan
- Progyny Pregnancy and Postpartum Support (available to both GW PPO and GW HSP participants)
- Progyny Fertility and Family Building (available to GW PPO participants)
Pharmacy Benefit Features
- PrudentRx Pharmacy Benefit
- Mandatory Maintenance Choice - All Access with Opt-Out
- Diabetes Management Program with Hypertension
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 COBRA Open Enrollment Guide, contribution rates, and more.
Flu and COVID Vaccines
COBRA participants covered by a GW medical plan can 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 enrollment assistance. The GW Benefits Team is also available to provide support.
How to Enroll
If you are enrolled in benefits through bswift: Beginning October 6, 2025, you may log in to the GW benefits enrollment system at go.gwu.edu/COBRA 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.
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.
COBRA Premium Payments
Once you make your Open Enrollment coverage selection(s), you will receive a coupon book 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 benefits
gwu [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.
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 (benefits[at]gwu[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/COBRA to complete your online consent form to receive your 1095-C electronically. Once available, your form will be securely posted and stored in 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.