Postdocs Open Enrollment Benefits Overview
2027 Open Enrollment Period: October 5 - 23, 2026
Dear George Washington University Community,
Welcome to the 2027 Benefits Open Enrollment season! Open Enrollment begins on Monday, October 5, 2026, and ends at 8 p.m. (ET) on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Open Enrollment provides an annual opportunity to reflect upon your current benefit elections and make any needed changes for the upcoming 2027 calendar year, including adding or removing eligible dependents. Any changes to your health and welfare plans must be completed during the 2027 Open Enrollment period*, with changes going into effect on January 1, 2027.
If you choose not to take action, your existing coverage options, from 2026 will roll over into 2027.
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 2027 benefit programs.
Similar to last year, we’re offering a Benefits Enrollment Support Drop-In event on October 20, 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.
Have questions about a GW medical plan?
Your Aetna Concierge is here to help. Call 844-989-8811, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, for personalized help with your GW medical plan, including coverage, costs, providers, available resources, and more.
Prefer to schedule in advance? Limited Aetna 1:1 appointments are also available to answer questions specific to your needs. Visit the OE events page for details.
Take time this Open Enrollment season to review your benefits, explore your options, and make the choices that are right for you and your family.
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 2027. 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.
Important Reminder for Postdoc Scholars: Under IRS regulations, the value of GW-provided benefits for Postdoc Scholars and their eligible dependents is considered taxable income to the Scholar and will be reported as required under applicable federal, state, and local tax laws. You will be responsible for paying any resulting tax liability. This will be reported annually on your 1099.
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 2027 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 2027 benefit offerings, introduce our 2027 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 October 1st, listen at your convenience and reach out to benefitsgwu [dot] edu with any questions.
Vendor Change: MetLife as GW's Life, Disability, and Leave Administrator
Beginning January 1, 2027, GW will transition from Lincoln Financial to MetLife for Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, and Leave Administration programs.
This change follows a comprehensive review process focused on enhancing the employee experience while maintaining affordability. There will be no changes to plan designs or employee contributions as a result of this transition. GW will work closely with MetLife in the coming months to help ensure a smooth transition.
For more information, please join us for an upcoming webinar with MetLife.
If you do not make any changes to your Life, AD&D or disability benefits during Open Enrollment your current benefit elections will automatically transition to MetLife effective January 1, 2027.
2027 Medical Plan Contribution Overview
The Postdoc Medical Plan contributions will increase 9.8% in 2027. The monthly full-time Postdoc contribution increase will range from approximately $11 to $57, depending on your coverage level and salary band.
Navigating Healthcare Costs Together: While medical and prescription costs continue to rise, GW remains committed to offering health benefits that deliver value to you and your families through competitive coverage, quality care, and support. As we anticipate continued upward pressure on healthcare costs, we encourage you to:
- Use in-network providers to take advantage of lower negotiated rates
- Choose generic prescriptions when available to reduce pharmacy costs
- Leverage preventive care, which is covered at 100% in-network
- Take advantage of well-being programs that support your physical and mental health
Medical and prescription benefits will continue to be provided by Aetna.
Tip! Want to check if your preferred provider is in-network?
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.
2027 Dental Contribution Overview
Dental premiums for all GW dental plans are increasing for 2027. As a result, postdoc contributions will increase for all dental plan options and coverage tiers. Monthly increases will range from approximately $1 to $2 for the DMO, $2 to $5 for the Low PPO, and $3 to $8 for the High PPO, depending on coverage tier. GW will continue to offer the DMO, Low PPO, and High PPO plans through Aetna, with no changes to plan design or coverage for 2027.
Coming Soon: Onsite Dental Clinic at GW
Convenient dental care is coming to Western Market! Onsite Dental will soon open a new clinic at 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The clinic will be in-network under all three GW Aetna dental plans and will provide postdocs and eligible dependents with access to comprehensive dental care on campus.
Additional details regarding scheduling and clinic operations will be shared in the coming months.
What's Staying the Same for 2027
The programs below will continue for 2027.
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
- Group Home and Auto Insurance
- Pet Insurance
- Identity Theft
2027 Vision Contribution Overview
Vision contributions for participating employees will not increase in 2027. 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
Whether you're enrolling for the first time or thinking about changing your coverage, the annual Open Enrollment period is an important opportunity to explore your options and make benefits decisions that support your health, well-being, and financial goals. As you review the 2027 benefit programs, 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 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 2027 benefit offerings, introduce our 2027 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 October 1st, listen at your convenience and reach out to benefits@ gwu.edu with any questions.
Event information is available at go.gwu.edu/2027oeevents.
Flu and COVID Vaccines
In partnership with Safeway, flu and COVID vaccine clinics will be held on campus 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 Aetna ID card available when registering.
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 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 and now includes access for up to five friends or family members. The app includes guided meditations, sleep programs, exercises, and more. Kids' programs include themes such as calm, kindness, and bedtime. Get started with Headspace and invite your loved ones to join you on your well-being journey.
The GW Benefits Enrollment System
Beginning October 5, 2026, 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 23, 2026. Please remember that most changes made during the Open Enrollment period become effective January 1, 2027.
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 30, 2026. 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 2027 Open Enrollment.
- The 2027 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 2027 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.