Welcome to your 2026 Open Enrollment!
The following is an overview of changes you will see in 2026. This year will be a passive enrollment process. To make updates or changes to your benefits elections, log in to LORA Self Service to confirm or change your elections. If your beneficiaries have changed in 2026, please be sure to update your beneficiary records. As a reminder, if you participate in Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts you must re-enroll every year. Below is a brief overview of the programs offered. More details can be found by clicking on the tabs at the top of the page.
What's Changing This Year!
The following is an overview of changes you will see in 2025. This year will be a passive enrollment process. To make updates or changes to your benefits elections, log in to LORA Self Service to confirm or change your elections. If your beneficiaries have changed in 2024, please be sure to update your beneficiary records. As a reminder, if you participate in Flexible Spending Accounts, you must re-enroll in FSA plans every year.
Medical and Pharmacy Changes
- UnitedHealthcare continues to be our medical provider for 2026. You will still have four plan options to choose from: Core, Basic, Plus, and HDHP.
- Premiums for the Core, Basic, and Plus plans will be increasing by 3% for 2026. The premiums for the HDHP will remain the same.
- There are changes to our pharmacy providers in 2026. Beginning January 1, our pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) will be Express Scripts (ESI) by Evernorth. Speciality Medications savings and alternative funding programs will now be administered by NFP RX Solutions. Please note, your new ID cards will be branded with Evernorth (not ESI).
Wellness Programs
UHC Rewards will continue to be part of our wellness program in 2026. The new annual reward amount is increasing to $250. More information on the program will be shared during the Benefits Fair and Open Enrollment presentations.
Dental
Cigna continues to be our Dental provider for 2026. Please remember to check in advance of your appointment to ensure your dentist remains in the network. You will see a slight increase in premiums for the 2026 plan year.
Vision
The vision coverage premium and plan design will remain the same for 2026. You can obtain an ID card by visiting www.unumvisioncare.com.
Lincoln Financial
- Lincoln Financial will continue to be our life and disability provider for 2026.
- During this year’s Open Enrollment, you will be allowed to enroll yourself and your spouse up to the guarantee issue amounts without any health questions. This includes employees who are currently enrolled and would like to increase your benefits. The guarantee issue amount is $250,000 for employees and $20,000 for spouses. If you were previously denied or withdrew medical underwriting, this increase will not be available to you.
- If you elect an amount above guarantee issue, you will be required to complete Evidence of Insurability (EOI).
- If you are currently enrolled with more than the guarantee issue amount, your benefit amount will be “grandfathered” in. You’ll be able to keep your current election.Current elections will automatically round up to the next higher $10,000 increment to fit within the new plan design, when needed.
Worksite
- Hospital Indemnity, Accident and Critical Illness benefits will remain with Lincoln Financial for 2026.
Employee Assistance Program
Reminder: Loyola provides employees with a confidential Employee Assistance Program at no charge. Skilled behavioral professionals can suggest solutions to problems caused by stress or changes in life.
- Employees enrolled in a Loyola Medical Plan through UnitedHealthcare will have access to the UHC EAP Core program.
- Employees that do not participate in Loyola's medical insurance may access Employee Assistance Program benefits through Aetna/Horizon Health.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Associated Bank will be our new administrator for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) in 2026.
- For 2026, the maximum contribution limit for a Health Care FSA is $3,400.
- For 2026, the maximum contribution limit for Dependent Care FSA is $7,500.
- If you had a Health Care FSA in 2025, you can roll over up to $660 of any remaining balance into 2026. You must re-enroll in the FSA to take advantage of the rollover provision.
Health Savings Accounts (HDHP only)
If you elect the HDHP plan option, you will also be eligible to elect a Health Savings Account (HSA) through Optum Bank. Benefits of an HSA include:
- The money you deposit is tax-free
- An HSA can be used to pay for IRS qualified medical expenses including dental and vision. For a full list of services please visit Qualified Medical Expenses Tool | Optum Now.
- Monies in the account rollover year after year with no limit – there is no “use it or lose it” provision.
- Loyola will contribute $250 for employee only coverage or $500 for family coverage (Employee + Spouse and/or Child). The contribution will be funded throughout the year.
This Digital Benefits Guide only summarizes your benefit plans. If there is a discrepancy between the information in this document and the carrier plan document, the carrier plan documents will always govern.