Open Enrollment 2026

Monday, November 10 - Friday, November 21, 2025

Presentations

2026 Nazareth Benefits Open Enrollment Presentation

2026 Nazareth Benefits Open Enrollment Recorded Presentation

Password: NazRocks!

Handouts

2026 Open Enrollment Instruction Letter

2025 Open Enrollment Benefit Guide

2026 Benefit Cost Sheet 

Medical Insurance Information

2026 Medical Plan Summaries:

Questions on your coverage?  Contact Excellus Customer Service at 800-499-1425 or the Benefit Resource Center at 855-874-6699.

Did you know? All of our plans cover Preventative Services in full.  What is a covered Preventative Service?

2026 Summaries of Benefits and Coverage:

Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP)

The Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) is only eligible to those enrolled in the 3500/7000 HDHP Medical Plan. Once enrolled, the MERP pays all coinsurance and copays after deductible is satisfied.

  • Enrollment in the MERP is separate from enrollment in the 3500/7000 HDHP Medical Plan. 
  • The reimbursement is administered through Benefit Resources (BRI).
    • Employees enrolled in the MERP will submit proof of satisfied deductible directly to BRI.
    • BRI will then process all coinsurance and copay claims, then reimburse the member directly.

To see what the bi-weekly MERP payroll deduction is, please reference the 2026 Rates Chart.

Dental Insurance

Benefits, co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs vary by plan option and tier. Employees may elect coverage for themselves and eligible dependents. 

2026 Dental Plan Summary

Additional Information:

Health Savings Account (HSA)

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a special type of bank account designed to help employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for out of pocket medical, dental and vision expenses.  Employees can change how much they contribute throughout the year.  Unused funds carry over from year to year and are portable.

Annual Contribution Limits for 2026

  • Single: $4,400
  • Family: $8,750
  • Catch up contribution (for employees over age 55): additional $1,000 annually

Additional Information - HSA

HSA Eligibility
  • Must be enrolled in a qualified HDHP plan and can not be covered by any other non-HDHP plan
  • Cannot be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return (except married filing jointly), or currently enrolled in Medicare A or B or Tricare
  • If age 65 or older and:
    • enrolled in Medicare A or B – not eligible to contribute
    • declined Medicare A and B – can contribute
Additional Information

Reminder - only funds that have been deposited can be used for expenses.  

Nazareth employees can elect to have pre-tax contributions made to a personal account with our HSA provider, HealthEquity.  These accounts have a $2.00/ month admin fee that is automatically deducted from your account.  

  • Note: employees can elect to have an HSA with any provider, but these contributions would be made post-tax and employees can take the tax benefit with their annual tax filing.
HealthEquity Enrollment Details

New to HealthEquity?  Deposits cannot begin until you have set up your HealthEquity account. Please complete and print the Health Equity HSA enrollment form and forward to Human Resources for processing.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Care Account:

  • Allows you set money aside each year tax-free to get reimbursed when you have out-of-pocket health expenses for yourself, your spouse and your dependent children.
  • Annually, you can set aside up to $3,400.
  • Due to federal regulations, any unused funds remaining in your account at the end of the plan year will be forfeited.

Dependent Care Account:

  • Allows you to set money aside each year for day care, babysitting, nursery school and day camp expenses you incur so that you and your spouse can work.
  • Allows you to set aside as much as $7,500 each year if you are single or you are married and file a joint tax return. If you are married and file a separate tax return, you may set aside as much as $3,750 each year.
  • Due to federal regulations, any unused funds remaining in your account at the end of the plan year will be forfeited.

Additional Information - FSA

FSA Administrator

Benefit Resource Inc administers both the Health Care and Dependent Care FSA's. 

The monthly administration fee is shared between employees and the University; by the employee is $2.00/month and is taken out through payroll deductions.

Additional Information

Vision Insurance

The University offers a vision insurance plan that includes routine eye exams and equipment (lenses, frames, contacts, etc.). Employees may elect coverage for themselves and eligible dependents. The plan is administered by EyeMed.

2026 Vision Plan Summary:

Additional Information:

Aflac

Cancer Care & Specified Health Event Rider (Critical Care)

Chances are you know someone who’s been affected, directly or indirectly, by cancer. You also know the toll it’s taken on them—physically, emotionally, and financially. That’s why Aflac has developed the Cancer Care insurance policy. The plan pays a cash benefit upon initial diagnosis of a covered cancer, with a variety of other benefits payable throughout cancer treatment. You can use these cash benefits to help pay out-of-pocket medical expenses, the rent or mortgage, groceries, or utility bills—the choice is yours.

And while you can’t always predict the future, Aflac believes it’s good to be prepared. The Aflac Cancer Care plan is here to help you and your family better cope financially—and emotionally—if a positive diagnosis of cancer ever occurs. That way you can worry less about what may be ahead.

Aflac offers two Cancer Care plans - Classic and Premier.

What is a Cancer Care plan?

  • Provides cash benefits based on health services received upon a diagnosis of cancer.
  • Includes benefits for experimental treatment and annual wellness exams.
  • Important for those that have a family history of cancer or are worried about a diagnosis of cancer.

If you enroll in an Aflac Cancer Care plan, you are also able to enroll in a Specified Health Event Rider (Critical Care coverage). See the Specified Health Event (SHE) Rider Summary document for details.

Accident Advantage

Accidents can happen at any time. You could suffer an accidental injury while you are working around the house or walking into work. Or your child may get injured at basketball practice. When an accident happens, it can be costly. Even with major medical insurance, there may be out-of-pocket expenses that you’ll have to pay.

In the event of an unexpected injury, Aflac can help protect your personal finances. They provide individuals and families affordable insurance that helps with expenses that may not be covered by major medical insurance. Aflac pays cash benefits directly to you (unless otherwise assigned), so you can use the cash for anything you want. Which means uncovered medical expenses won’t break the bank if you are injured.

And since they can process your claim quickly, Aflac helps give you the peace of mind knowing you can spend more time recovering and less time worrying about bills.

What is an Accident Advantage plan?

  • Covers accidental injuries.
  • Covered both on and off the job.
  • Beneficial for those who are active, have active children, or are worried about unforeseen injuries.
Enrollment Information

In the event you would like to enroll in coverage, know that you would need to schedule a time to complete the application over the phone with our representative Charlie. Below is a link you can use to schedule an appointment at your convenience:

https://calendly.com/charles_morales/nazareth-university-aflac-open-enrollment

If you do not see a time that works well for you, please contact Charlie at 585-738-2629 or charles_morales@us.aflac.com. As a reminder, all enrollments must be completed by November 21st for coverage effective January 1, 2026. In the event you choose not to enroll during open enrollment, the next time you will be able to do so will be during next year's open enrollment period. 

2025 Benefits Open Enrollment

Log onto HR@Hand (bSwift) to begin your benefits open enrollment.

Open Enrollment 2026 Information Sessions

Human Resources will host three information sessions for Open Enrollment 2026. All are in Beston Hall:

Monday, Oct. 27 - 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 28 - 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 29 - 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The schedule of events will be the same all three days:

11:30 AM

  • Meet with Vendors: AFLAC, Excellus, and TIAA

11:55 AM

  • Welcome and Agenda Overview - Damika Arnold, Chief People Officer

12:00 PM

  • Open Enrollment Health Presentation - Alera Group

12:50 PM

  • TIAA 403(b) Retirement Program Overview

1:05 PM

  • AFLAC Cancer Care & Accident Benefit Overview

1:30PM

  • Meet with Vendors: AFLAC, Excellus, and TIAA

Participating Benefit Carriers:

  • Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield - Medical and Dental
  • TIAA
  • AFLAC - Cancer Care & Accident

Have Benefit questions?

Consider using the Alera Customer Support!

They are a single point of contact for all healthcare needs, insurance related questions, and assistance navigating the Employee Navigator system.

  • Help understanding and navigating your healthcare plan

  • Ordering replacement insurance I.D. cards

  • Locating providers and specialists

  • Estimates for out-of-pocket cost and plan coverage

  • Assistance with resolving provider billing and insurance claims

  • Help with facilitating approvals and prior authorizations for services, as required
  • Support with out of area services
  • Any other related healthcare topic

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Toll-Free Phone: 800-836-0026, Option 2

Email: support@aleracare.zendesk.com