2027 USG Open Enrollment: Your Guide from Elwood & Goetz

As the leaves fall and excitement for the holidays rises, it’s easy to overlook open enrollment. Your team of financial advisors is here to support you every step of the way, helping you make informed decisions that align with your financial goals.

Note: This guide provides high-level recommendations and is not a substitute for personalized financial advice within the context of your comprehensive financial plan. If you are an Elwood & Goetz (E&G) client, please contact your team anytime with questions.

Non-clients interested in our services are welcome to schedule a consultation to learn more about our wealth management services. We provide a no-cost second opinion, including reviews of one’s current investment and tax plan.

Please take advantage of this open enrollment period to align your benefits with your goals and secure peace of mind for the year ahead.

About Elwood& Goetz

Founded in Athens, Georgia, home of the University of Georgia, E&G has a long history of working closely with USG employees and the UGA community. Many of our clients currently work for or have worked within USG, and several distinguished UGA professors are on our advisory team. This experience allows us to provide informed guidance on USG benefits and retirement plans each year.

Key reminders for 2027 USG open enrollment‍

  • Open enrollment begins on Monday, October 26, 2026 and ends Friday, November 6, 2026.
  • When making health insurance plan changes always check with your doctors to ensure they will remain in-network with the new plan.
  • You must complete tobacco use and working spouse certifications during open enrollment in the OneUSG Connect Benefits system, or surcharges will apply.

2027 USG Benefit Changes Highlights

  • Premium Increases: Employees will see increases of $4–$52 per month depending on the plan and coverage tier.
  • Pharmacy Benefit Manager transition from CVS Caremark to Express Scripts (ESI) for Anthem members: ESI will work with USG employees who may be impacted by network or formulary changes. CVS pharmacies will remain in network and can continue to be used by members.
  • Health Savings Account Match: No change for 2027.
  • Well-Being Incentive: The $100 incentive for employees and covered spouses will continue.
  • Weight Management Programs: Because the program is associated with the CVS contract, the Weight Watchers program for Anthem members and spouses will be discontinued as of Dec. 31, 2026.
  • NEW! EyeMed Hearing Benefits: Enrolled members can receive reimbursement for hearing exams and prescription hearing aids.
  • Dental Premiums: Employee dental plan premiums will increase an average of 2%.
  • Vision and Life Insurance Premiums: No change for 2027.
  • Tobacco and Working Spouse Surcharges: Continue at $150 per month, with required annual certification.

University System of Georgia Employee Benefits and Recommendations

Health Insurance Options

USG offers four health insurance options: Anthem Consumer Choice HSA, Anthem Comprehensive Care, Anthem Blue Choice HMO, and Kaiser Permanente HMO. Each provides valuable coverage, but the best choice depends on your anticipated healthcare needs, financial circumstances, and preferences for accessing care.

For many employees, we favor the Consumer Choice HSA plan. It offers the lowest monthly premiums, flexibility to receive care both in and out of network, and access to a Health Savings Account(HSA) with valuable tax advantages and a USG employer match. For employees who can comfortably manage the higher deductible, the combination of lower premiums and HSA savings opportunities can make this plan particularly attractive, even when some medical expenses are anticipated.

However, the lowest premium does not necessarily mean the lowest overall cost. The Comprehensive Care plan offers lower deductibles and more predictable copayments for many services, which may appeal to employees expecting significant healthcare expenses or preferring greater predictability when receiving care. The HMO options can also be appropriate, particularly when preferred physicians, specialists, and hospitals participate in their networks.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in 2027, we recommend taking a closer look at the maternity and newborn benefits under each plan. Consider the anticipated costs of prenatal care, delivery, and potential complications, along with your preferred physicians and hospital. The Consumer Choice HSA plan may still be attractive, but the Comprehensive Care or HMO options could provide greater value depending on your circumstances.

Our recommendation: Rather than comparing premiums alone, evaluate your total potential annual healthcare costs—including premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, prescription expenses, and available HSA benefits. Consider both an ordinary year and a year involving significant medical expenses. The goal is to select the coverage that provides the best combination of cost, flexibility, and financial protection for your family. Please contact your financial planning team for assistance.

For example, in 2027, the Consumer Choice HSA plan costs $5,010 less annually in premiums than Comprehensive Care for family coverage. That's a meaningful difference before considering the USG HSA match, tax benefits, and differences in healthcare expenses. For some families, the annual premium savings alone can exceed several thousand dollars. When combined with thoughtful HSA contributions and investment strategies, choosing the right health plan can have a meaningful impact on both current cash flow and long-term financial security.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

We continueto view the Health Savings Account as one of the best benefits available,thanks to its unique tax advantages and rollover features. Contributions aremade pre-tax, grow tax-free, and can be withdrawn tax-free for qualifyingexpenses.

For 2027,maximum contributions (including employer match) are:

  • $4,500 for individual coverage
  • $9,000for family
  • An additional $1,000 catch-upcontribution for employees age 55 and older
  • Employer match: $325 (individual),$650 (family)

We generally recommend redirecting premium savings from choosing the Consumer Choice HSA plan (instead of Comprehensive Care) into your HSA account to maximize both your tax savings and the employer match.

A couple final notes on HSAs: Contributions are not allowed for employees enrolled in Medicare Part A. At age 65 or older, Social Security beneficiaries are generally automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A. You may choose to delay Medicare Part A enrollment until retirement if you wish to continue contributing. (Note that Part A coverage can be retroactive up to six months, potentially creating excess HSA contributions).

If you’re switching from a general-purpose Healthcare FSA to the Consumer Choice HSA plan must have a $0 FSA balance on December 31,2026, or your HSA contributions generally cannot begin until April 1, 2027, or later. Payroll contributions do not automatically restart; you must contact OneUSG Connect Benefits.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

For those not enrolled in the HSA plan, the Health Care FSA remains an option. 2027 contributions are pre-tax but must be used within the plan year (with the grace period ending March 15, 2028, and reimbursement deadline of March 31, 2028). 2027 limits are:

  • Health Care FSA: Up to$3,400 for healthcare, prescription, dental, and vision expenses.
  • Limited Purpose FSA: Available if you are also contributing to an HSA; limited to dental and vision expenses. Up to $3,400.
  • Dependent Care FSA: Up to $7,500 ($3,750 if married filing separately). Covers daycare, preschool, summer camp, and other qualifying dependent care expenses. Both parents must be employed to qualify. The grace period for 2027 is the same as the Health Care FSA (expenses prior to March 15, 2028, and reimbursement deadline of March 31,2028).

For employees that contributed to an FSA during 2026,expenses that were incurred through March 15, 2027, are eligible for reimbursement by March 31, 2027. Any unused contributions after that date will be forfeited.

‍Dental Insurance

USG offers two dental insurance options through Delta Dental: the Base Plan and the High Plan. Both provide coverage for preventive care, while the High Plan offers greater benefits for major dental procedures and orthodontic treatment. Dental premiums are increasing by approximately 2% on average for 2027.

  • Base Option: $1,000/person annual maximum, noorthodontia.
  • High Option: $1,500/person annual maximum, withup to $1,000 of lifetime orthodontia coverage.

Our recommendation: Dental insurance can be valuable, particularly for families anticipating more than routine preventive care. However, if you generally need only two cleanings and exams each year, the annual premiums may exceed what you would otherwise pay out of pocket. For example, the 2027 employee-only Base premium is $39.38 monthly, or approximately $473 annually, and routine care by itself may not justify that amount.

We recommend comparing the annual premiums with your family's anticipated dental expenses, including fillings, crowns, oral surgery, or orthodontics. The High Plan may be particularly attractive for those expecting significant dental work, although it's important to consider annual benefit limits and orthodontic coverage maximums.

Regardless of which plan you choose, using an in-network dentist can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs through negotiated rates.

Vision Insurance

USG's EyeMed vision insurance premiums remain unchanged for 2027, ranging from $6.90 per month for individual coverage to $20.34 for family coverage. The plan helps cover routine eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses, with additional savings available through participating in-network providers.

Our recommendation: Vision insurance can be particularly valuable for individuals and families who regularly purchase prescription glasses or contact lenses. However, if your only anticipated expense is an annual eye exam, the additional premiums may not be worthwhile, especially if your health insurance already provides coverage for routine exams. We recommend comparing the annual premiums against your family's anticipated vision expenses and confirming that your preferred eyecare providers participate in the EyeMed network.

New for 2027: EyeMed members will also have access to reimbursement benefits for eligible hearing exams and prescription hearing aids, adding potential value to the coverage. The new hearing benefit makes EyeMed more attractive for some employees who otherwise might not need vision insurance. USG provides reimbursement of $50 for eligible hearing exams and up to $400 per ear for prescription hearing aids, subject to age-based frequency limitations. This is worth considering when evaluating the annual premium.

Life Insurance

The University System of Georgia continues to provide $25,000 of basic life and $25,000 of AD&D insurance at no cost. Employees can elect additional group life coverage up to 8x salary, subject to underwriting requirements above certain levels. Spousal and dependent coverage remain available, with no changes to premiums.

We recommend reviewing your beneficiary designations during open enrollment. For many, it may also make sense to compare USG group life insurance with private individual policies, which can sometimes be more cost-effective if you are in good health.

Short-Term Disability Insurance

USG's short-term disability insurance replaces 60% of your weekly earnings, up to $2,500 per week, if you are unable to work due to a qualifying illness, injury, or pregnancy-related disability. Benefits begin on the 15th day of disability and can continue for up to 11 weeks.

We generally recommend evaluating this coverage based on your emergency savings, available paid leave, and your household's dependence on your income. Employees with substantial cash reserves and accumulated leave may be comfortable covering a temporary loss of income themselves. However, for those with limited reserves or significant financial obligations, short-term disability insurance can provide valuable financial protection.

Planning for pregnancy? Short-term disability coverage can be particularly valuable for maternity-related income protection. However, employees enrolling after their initial eligibility period, including during open enrollment, generally must provide evidence of insurability (medical underwriting). If you are already pregnant or anticipate becoming pregnant, we recommend confirming your eligibility and applicable coverage limitations before making an election.

Long-Term Disability Insurance

We strongly recommend participating in USG’s long-term disability plan. If you are unable to work for an extended period due to injury or illness, this coverage replaces 60% of your salary, up to $15,000 per month. Premiums are based on your salary, and the protection offered makes this one of the most valuable benefits available.

Critical Illness and Accident Insurance

USG offers supplemental critical illness and accident insurance through Aflac. Critical illness insurance provides a lump-sum payment following the diagnosis of certain covered medical conditions, while accident insurance pays specified benefits for qualifying injuries and related medical care. Both are designed to supplement your primary health insurance and help offset unexpected expenses.

Our recommendation: While these policies can provide additional financial protection, we generally consider them a lower priority than comprehensive health insurance, adequate disability and life insurance, and maintaining sufficient emergency savings. Employees with limited cash reserves, high out-of-pocket healthcare exposure, or concerns about specific medical risks may find these supplemental benefits worthwhile.

Before enrolling, we recommend weighing the premiums against the potential benefits, coverage limitations, and your ability to absorb unexpected expenses without additional insurance.

Lifestyle Benefits Packages

USG also offers a variety of lifestyle benefits, including discounts for services like roadside assistance, identity theft protection, legal plans, and pet care. Enrollment should be based on your specific needs and the value of the services offered. Before enrolling in optional benefits, consider whether you already have similar protection through existing insurance policies, financial institutions, or other memberships.

Conclusion

We hope this guide simplified the University System of Georgia (USG) open enrollment process and provided the clarity you need to choose your benefits. For personalized guidance, please contact your financial planning team at Elwood & Goetz. We are here to help explain and evaluate all your options and provide you with optimal recommendations.

If this guide was helpful, feel free to share it with a colleague or friend within the University System of Georgia. At Elwood & Goetz, we believe informed decisions about employee benefits are an important part of a thoughtful financial plan. We're always happy to help USG employees and their families understand how today's benefit elections fit into their longer-term financial goals.

For more information and additional resources, you may want to check out the USG website, where you can register for virtual sessions on open enrollment.

If you’re not an E&G client but you’re interested in potentially working with our financial planning team, please reach out. Beyond benefits selection, we’re ready to help you plan for all areas of your financial life. Schedule a no-cost discovery meeting or call today to learn more.