The Open Enrollment period for Plan Year 2026 is underway and will continue through May 15 for WVU benefits-eligible faculty and staff.
Open Enrollment is your only opportunity to add, drop or make changes to many of your benefits for the 2026 plan year without a qualifying life event. It is also the perfect time to review your current coverage(s) and important information that may impact your premiums and claims.
As a policyholder, it is your responsibility to make sure your information is correct and up-to-date to ensure your premium is accurate and your claims are processed correctly.
Review the following items and update where applicable:
Tobacco status — A tobacco-free premium discount is offered to life insurance and health insurance policyholders who verify through a tobacco affidavit that you and any enrolled dependents have been tobacco-free for six months — by Jan. 1 for Plan Year 2026. If your or any dependent’s tobacco status has changed, you must update your status in the PEIA Manage My Benefits portal.
Dependents — Do you need to add or remove any dependents? Life events such as divorce may end dependent eligibility. Ex-spouses and ex-stepchildren are no longer eligible to be insured under your policy and must be removed from all coverages immediately. Other life events such as a marriage, adoption or birth may result in new dependent eligibility.
Spousal Coverage — A monthly spousal surcharge is required by West Virginia law if your spouse is offered health coverage other than PEIA through their employer but has enrolled in PEIA coverage. If this applies to you, your coverage type is called “Family with Spousal Surcharge” in the PEIA Shopper’s Guide. If your spouse’s coverage offering has changed, you must report the change in the PEIA Manage My Benefits portal.
Coordination of Benefits — Health plans use COB to determine which plan will pay benefits first, and to make sure that together they do not pay more than 100% of your bill. If you cover any dependents, you must update your COB annually to prevent denial of claims. PEIA PPB plan policyholders can make this update by visiting UMR.com and logging in to your UMR account or by calling 1-888-440-7342. The Health Plan policyholders may update their COB information by calling 888-847-7902.
Contact WVU Shared Services at 304-293-6006 or SharedServices@mail.wvu.edu with any questions, or visit in person for a video chat option at one of the Shared Services Storefronts.