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Human Resources

2027 Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment ends Monday, November 16th!

Monday will be your final day to make changes to your benefits for 2027. Employees are encouraged to review the 2027 Open Enrollment materials online, revisit their current benefit elections through Employee Self-Service, and consider any changes needed for themselves and their families. You have one opportunity left to schedule your on-campus flu shot and wellness screenings. All changes to 2027 benefit elections must be completed during the Open Enrollment period. All changes made take effect January 1, 2027.

🩺Introducing Garner Health – New for 2027

Beginning January 1, 2027, employees enrolled in Loyola's Aetna HDHP or PPO will have access to Garner Health, a free, optional program that helps members find high-quality, in-network healthcare providers. Members who select eligible providers through Garner may also qualify for reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket medical expenses, up to $1,000 for individual coverage or $2,000 for family coverage, subject to program requirements. No Open Enrollment election is required.

Garner Health Information Webinars

Learn how Garner works, how to find eligible providers, and how to take advantage of the program's benefits.

Thursday, November 19, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM CT - [Click to Join]
Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM CT – [Click to Join]
Friday, January 22, 2027 | 12:00–1:00 PM CT – [Click to Join]

Unable to attend? A recording of the webinar will be posted on our website for those who cannot participate in the live sessions.

Visit the Garner Health page for additional program information.

💉 Flu Shots & Wellness Screenings

 

Empower Health will be on campus to offer flu shots and wellness screenings to benefit-eligible faculty, staff, and their spouses. Off-site appointments are also available. 

Faculty and Staff (and their spouses) can book on-campus or off-site appointments with Empower Health for their annual wellness screenings and flu shots.

Campus Time Date Location
Health Sciences 7:30am-12:30pm Thursday, October 15, 2026 SSOM - Alumni Center Lounge, Room 196
Water Tower 7:30am-12:30pm Wednesday, October 21, 2026 Schreiber Center - Wintrust Hall, Room 908
Health Sciences  7:30am-12:30pm Tuesday, October 27, 2026 SSOM - Alumni Center Lounge, Room 196
Lakeshore Campus 7:30am-12:30pm Thursday, November 5, 2026 Halas Rec/Damen Student Center – Student Den
⚠️ Flu shots are mandatory for HSC employees 📲 Vaccination records will be uploaded to the Loyola Health App within 2 business weeks of receiving your vaccination. Please print copies of your consent forms and bring them to your appointment. 

💻 2027 Information Sessions

 

The 2027 Benefits Information Sessions are your opportunity to learn about all benefit changes for 2027.

Join a Virtual Information Session:

Date  Time Registration
Monday, October 19, 2026 11:00am Closed
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 10:00am Closed
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 11:00am Closed

Unable to attend one of our 2027 Open Enrollment Information Sessions? Watch the recorded presentation to learn about the 2027 benefit offerings and important changes for the upcoming plan year.

📅 2027 Open Enrollment: Key Dates & How to Prepare

 

  • Open Enrollment Dates:  Friday, October 30 – Monday, November 16, 2026 
  • Access via Employee Self-Service

Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your benefits and make elections for the upcoming plan year. With several important changes coming in 2027, employees are strongly encouraged to attend an Open Enrollment Information Session or webinar to learn what is changing, how the changes may affect you and your family, and what actions you may need to take during Open Enrollment.

Elections made during Open Enrollment will be effective January 1 – December 31, 2027, and changes during the year are limited to if you experience a qualifying life event.

📋 Open Enrollment: Resources and Tools

 

  • Employee Self-Service – Review your current elections and make your 2027 benefit selections.
  • 2027 Open Enrollment Guide – Review plan changes and monthly medical premiums.
  • 2027 Benefits Booklet – Explore available benefits and coverage options.
  • 2027 Benefits Webinar - Review the recording to learn more about benefits changes for next year.
  • 2027 Health Insurance Rates- Aetna HDHP and PPO
  • Flimp – Compare medical plan options using the interactive decision-support tool.
  • 2027 Aetna Plan Documents & SBCs – Review detailed PPO and HDHP coverage information.

Additional resources will be available as they are finalized.

Need assistance? Contact Human Resources at benefits@luc.edu or (312) 915-6175.

🚨 What’s Changing for 2027

 

To help you make informed benefits decisions, we’ve highlighted important updates for 2027 below. Please review these changes carefully and refer to the 2027 Open Enrollment Guide for complete details as you consider the coverage that best meets your needs and those of your family.

Medical Plan Updates
Both medical plans will have higher premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums in 2027. Review the Open Enrollment Guide for updated costs and coverage details.

Loyola Medical Center Coverage Changing for 2027
Loyola University Medical Center will remain in Aetna's network, but the enhanced 90% coverage benefit will end. Beginning in 2027, employees will pay 20% of covered costs after meeting their deductible, instead of 10%.

OptiMed – Site of Care Optimization
A new program designed to help members access certain medical services at appropriate, cost-effective locations. More information coming soon!

Weight Management Program and GLP-1
Beginning in 2027, members using covered weight-loss medications must enroll and participate in CVS Weight Management Enhanced to maintain coverage for these medications.

New! Garner Health
Garner helps employees find high-quality doctors and offers eligible members reimbursement of up to $1,000 for individual coverage or $2,000 for family coverage toward qualifying medical expenses.

FEDLogic Resources
FEDLogic is a new, free, confidential resource to help employees navigate Medicare, Social Security, disability, survivor benefits, and Medicaid.

First Stop Preventive Care & Wellness
First Stop Health Complete Care expands in 2027 to include virtual primary care, urgent care, and preventive care services.

First Stop Health Behavioral Health Expanded Resources
First Stop Health continues to offer employees and their families no-cost virtual counseling and expanded mental health support.

Formulary Realignment
CVS Caremark will introduce a new prescription drug formulary in 2027, which may change coverage or requirements for certain medications.

💰 2027 Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA & FSA)

 

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) allow eligible employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified healthcare and dependent care expenses.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Available to employees who meet HSA eligibility requirements, including enrollment in a qualifying High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).

2027 IRS Contribution Limits:

  • Individual Coverage Contribution Limit: $4,500 (Your contribution max of $3,900 + Loyola's contribution of $600.00)
  • Family Coverage Contribution Limit:  $ 9,000 (Your contribution max of $7,800 + Loyola's contribution of $1,200.00)
  • Age 55 or Older: Additional $1,000 catch-up contribution

HSA funds roll over annually and remain yours, even if you leave Loyola. Annual contribution limits include both employee and employer contributions. The IRS annual limits include both employee and employer contributions. Employees should account for Loyola’s contribution when determining their annual HSA election.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

You must make a new FSA election each year during Open Enrollment. Your prior-year contribution election does not automatically renew.

2027 FSA Contribution Limits:

  • Healthcare FSA: $3,500 – Eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses.
  • Limited Purpose FSA: $3,500 – Eligible dental and vision expenses; compatible with an HSA.
  • Dependent Care FSA: $7,500 – Eligible dependent care expenses, including care for qualifying children under age 13. This remains the same for 2027.

Any funding remaining up to the $680 allowable amount will roll over to the 2027 calendar year and will be available in your balance after May 2027. The IRS rollover limit for the 2027 to 2028 year has increased to $700.00.

Important Enrollment Reminder

If you currently contribute to an HSA or FSA, review your 2027 contribution amount during Open Enrollment and make any necessary adjustments.

💵 Monthly to Biweekly Pay Frequency Change & 37.5-Hour Standard Workweek -  Effective January 2027

 

Beginning January 1, 2027, Loyola will implement two important workforce changes that may affect how your pay looks in 2027 and your work schedule:

1. Transition to a Biweekly Pay Schedule

All employees who are currently paid monthly, including faculty, will transition to a biweekly pay schedule effective January 1, 2027. At that time, Loyola will move to a single payroll frequency, with all employees paid on a biweekly basis. This change was first communicated to impacted employees in August and communications will continue throughout this fall semester. Employees are encouraged to review the available resources and begin planning for the new pay frequency.

2. Change to a 37.5-Hour Standard Workweek

Also beginning in January 2027, certain employee groups will transition from a 40-hour standard workweek to a 37.5-hour standard workweek. This change will primarily affect employees at the Health Sciences Campus, including those in the Stritch School of Medicine, Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.

This change was first communicated to impacted employees in August, and communications will continue throughout this fall semester. Employees and managers are encouraged to review the available resources and begin planning for this change. Again, these two changes are separate from Open Enrollment, but affected employees should continue to familiarize themselves with the transition details and available support resources.


🔗 Learn more and access transition resources:

https://loyolauniversitychicago.sharepoint.com/sites/paycadencehourstransition 

Key Takeaways

✅ Monthly-paid employees will move to a biweekly payroll schedule effective January 1, 2027.
✅ Certain employee groups will move from a 40-hour to a 37.5-hour standard workweek beginning January 2027.
✅ These changes are independent of Open Enrollment. 
✅ Employees and Managers should review transition resources and prepare in advance. 
Review the Payroll Cadence & Hours Transition SharePoint Website for information and resources. 

📰 Open Enrollment Communications Library

Last Updated: 11.13.2026