UMass Boston

Annual Enrollment

2025-2026 Annual Enrollment

The GIC Open Enrollment period begins on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, and will end on Thursday, May 1, 2025. This enrollment window provides an essential opportunity for you to review, enroll in, or modify your health insurance coverage, with all changes becoming effective on July 1, 2025.  If you wish to keep your current GIC health plan, there is no action required, your insurance coverage will continue automatically. Please note, however, that you must re-enroll in the flexible spending accounts (HCSA and/or DCAP), if you wish to continue this benefit.

Highlights: 

  1. The new GIC rates will take effect July 1. Deductions of the new rates will be withheld beginning with the June 20 pay date.
  2. GIC has issued new Benefit Decision guides (See attached). Please note that this guide includes retiree benefits.
  3. The GIC Basic Life Insurance coverage is increasing from $5,000 to $10,000 with a corresponding premium increase
  4. The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) has increased the limit from $3,200 to $3,300. To participate in 2025-2026 plan year, you must re-enroll during open enrollment. Please note that the deadline to incur expenses for the 2024-2025 plan year is September 15, 2025. You must submit claims for reimbursement no later than October 15, 2025. Per IRS regulations, any remaining balances from the 2024/2025 will be forfeited. Any unused balances will not rollover to the new plan year
  5. GIC Members will have access to a digital health benefit for musculoskeletal care through Hinge Health.
  6. Retirees only –  Retiree dental coverage is moving from Metlife to Altus.
  7. Please remember to register for the MyGICLink  Portal to submit your GIC changes.

Other Highlights: 

Trustmark’s Chronic Care + Life Insurance and the MetLife Legal plan have amended their annual enrollment period to align with the GIC’s open enrollment dates. Open enrollment for these benefits now begins on April 2 and will end on May 1 for coverage effective July 1.

  1. Trustmark: This is the final year Trustmark is offering guaranteed enrollment. Participants who elect to enroll during the FY26 open enrollment will not be subject to a medical questionnaire.
  2. MetLife Legal Plan: You may now enroll in or cancel coverage during open enrollment directly on UMass Corestream


Group Insurance Commission (GIC) Annual Enrollment
Wednesday, April 2 – Thursday, May 1, 2025

Open Enrollment is your one-time annual opportunity to:

  1. Change your GIC health insurance plan online via MyGICLink
  2. Cancel or Elect GIC health insurance without documentation
  3. Participate in the Buy-Out program
  4. Add or remove dependent(s) from your GIC health plan without a qualifying event
  5. Enroll in the $10,000 Basic Life Insurance policy (a pre-requisite for the Optional Life Insurance)
  6. Enroll, or re-enroll online to participate in the HCSA/DCAP administered by TASC

Please use the following link to access the GIC’s 2025-2026 Benefit Decision Guide and additional information to help you make an informed decision about your benefit options during Annual Enrollment: GIC Annual Enrollment Information

You may also find additional resources including the GIC Virtual Benefit Fair  at Group Insurance Commission Annual Enrollment | Mass.gov 

GIC Health Insurance Buy-Out:

If you have access to a non-GIC employer sponsored health insurance (for example, through your spouse) it may pay to participate in the Buy-out Program. If you were insured with the GIC on or before January 1, 2025, and continue your coverage through June 30, 2025, you may apply to buy-out of your GIC health plan effective July 1, 2025. Use MyGICLink to submit your completed Buy-Out form no later than May 1, 2025.

Under the Buy-Out plan, eligible state employees receive 25% of the full-cost monthly premium in lieu of health insurance benefits for one 12-month period. For more information regarding the GIC Buy-Out program visit: GIC Buy-Out Program

Optional Life Insurance Non-Smoker Benefit:  

During Annual Enrollment, if you have been tobacco-free (have not smoked cigarettes, cigars or a pipe nor used snuff, chewing tobacco or a nicotine delivery system) for at least the past 12 months, you are eligible for reduced non-smoker Optional Life Insurance rates. You will be required to periodically recertify your non-smoking status in order to qualify for the lower rates.

Flexible Spending Accounts (HCSA & DCAP):

Enroll by May 1, 2025, for the FY26 Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) and/or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) for benefits effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. (Grace period: 9/15/2025).

  • Healthcare Spending Account (HCSA): Minimum $250; Maximum $3,300
  • Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP): Minimum $250; Maximum $5,000
    Remember:  FY25 remaining balances will not rollover to the new plan year.

Important Details:

Note: GIC health insurance premiums have increased. The deductions for the new plan rates will commence on the June 20th pay-date.  For information regarding plan and premium changes please visit GIC Benefit Rates.

Go Digital (RECOMMENDED): If GIC has your email address on file, we encourage you to utilize GIC’s self-service portal for quicker and more efficient open enrollment elections. You can access MyGICLink and register online at:  MyGICLink Member Benefits Portal | Mass.gov
If the MyGIC system does not recognize your email address you will receive a notification indicating “your contact information cannot be found”. If you receive this notice, please email benefits@umb.edu

Alternatively, you may also access the online GIC forms and submit electronically at: GIC (salesforce-sites.com)
Reminder:  Dental Insurance is not part of the GIC annual enrollment window for active employees.  Annual Enrollment dates may vary by Union provider.

Quick Links:

Questions?

  • To speak with a GIC Representative, please contact 617.727.2310
  • Email the Benefits team at benefits@umb.edu
  • For specific questions regarding coverage type, services, and tiering, please contact insurance carrier directly.  The contact information is in the GIC Decision Guide.