Health care open enrollment under way

Separate dates are set up for pre-Medicare and Medicare retirees

By Michael Pramik, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

Oct. 15, 2026 – Open enrollment has begun for the 2027 OPERS Health Care Program, giving eligible retirees the opportunity to review their coverage, make changes if needed and prepare for the coming year.

While some will simply confirm that their current coverage still meets their needs, others may want to explore new medical, prescription drug, vision or dental options before enrollment deadlines arrive.

The open enrollment process differs depending on whether you are Medicare-eligible or not, so now is a good time to review your materials and understand the decisions you’ll need to make before coverage begins Jan. 1, 2027. The OPERS website has been updated to include a wealth of information about open enrollment.

Start with a coverage checkup

No matter which health care program you participate in, open enrollment is an opportunity to ask a simple question: Does my current coverage still work for me?

Take time to review materials from OPERS, Via Benefits and your insurance carriers. Look for changes in premiums, covered services, provider networks, prescription drug formularies and other plan details that could affect you in 2027.

You also may want to revisit your vision and dental coverage needs, especially if you carry coverage through multiple providers.

Know your open enrollment deadlines

Open enrollment dates vary by coverage type:

Pre-Medicare benefit recipients

Open enrollment runs between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15. Contact Via Benefits here.

Medicare-eligible benefit recipients

Medicare’s annual enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Contact Via Benefits here.

OPERS vision and dental plans

Benefit recipients who want to enroll, make changes or cancel coverage in the OPERS vision or dental plans must do so by Dec. 15. Requests received after that date cannot be accepted. If you are satisfied with your current coverage, your enrollment will automatically continue into 2027.

Watch for your open enrollment materials

All eligible benefit recipients will receive personalized information in the mail this fall.

Eligible Health Reimbursement Arrangement participants will receive a personalized statement showing their 2027 monthly HRA allowance, along with vision and dental premium information and educational materials about the OPERS health care program. They’ll also receive the 2027 Open Enrollment Insert, which provides information about open enrollment, the OPERS health care program, and more.

Benefit recipients who are enrolled in OPERS vision and dental coverage but are not eligible for the HRA will receive premium information, vision and dental enrollment materials and forms needed to make coverage.

Be sure to review these materials carefully when they arrive.

Pre-Medicare participants: Review your funding decision

If you are eligible for the OPERS HRA and have not yet reached Medicare eligibility, open enrollment is also your opportunity to review your HRA funding decision.

Each year, eligible participants can choose whether to receive support through the OPERS HRA or pursue the Premium Tax Credit available through the federal health insurance marketplace. A change made during the 2027 open enrollment period will take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Remember that choosing the HRA option does not automatically enroll you in medical insurance. You still must obtain medical coverage. However, declining participation in the HRA means turning down OPERS-provided funds that could help reimburse qualified medical expenses.

Medicare participants: Review your prescription drug plan

Open Enrollment is the best time to update your Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug, and OPERS vision and dental plans. If you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or non-OPERS dental/vision plan, you can make changes any time of year.  To avoid delays, we recommend updating Medigap plans outside the Open Enrollment period, unless you’re unhappy with your current coverage.

Also, remember that you must enroll or remain enrolled in a Medicare plan through Via Benefits to continue receiving HRA deposits.

Schedule time with Via Benefits

If you have questions about your medical coverage or are considering changes for 2027, a conversation with a Via Benefits adviser can help.

Appointments are not required, but they are strongly recommended during open enrollment. Advisers can review your current coverage, answer questions about plan changes and help you evaluate available options.

To reduce wait times, OPERS has published call-volume charts identifying the best days and times to contact Via Benefits.

Don’t overlook vision and dental coverage

Open enrollment isn’t just about medical insurance. It’s also the only time each year eligible benefit recipients can enroll in, make changes to or cancel OPERS vision and dental coverage.

If you are enrolled in vision or dental coverage through both OPERS and another provider, review your benefits carefully to determine whether maintaining both plans still makes sense for your situation.

Benefit recipients who are happy with their current OPERS vision and dental coverage do not need to take any action. Coverage will continue automatically in 2027.

HRA participants: Check your automatic reimbursement settings

If you are enrolled in OPERS vision and/or dental coverage and have an HRA, your premiums may qualify for automatic reimbursement through Via Benefits when funds are available.

Open enrollment is a good time to log in to your Via Benefits account and verify that your reimbursement preferences are still correct.

Important reminder for members who become Medicare-eligible before age 65

Some OPERS benefit recipients become eligible for Medicare before turning 65 due to disability or other qualifying circumstances.

If you receive notice from the Social Security Administration that you are eligible for Medicare, you must notify both OPERS and Via Benefits within 30 days. Your HRA allowance changes once you become eligible for Medicare, and timely notification helps prevent overpayments that would have to be repaid later.

Learn more

To help benefit recipients understand the open enrollment process, OPERS has created educational videos covering both HRA-related topics and the OPERS vision and dental plans.

Open enrollment may not require changes for everyone, but it is an important opportunity to review your health care decisions, understand your options and make sure your coverage remains aligned with your needs for the year ahead.