What's changing for 2027
Your benefits should flex with your life — your goals, your career stage, what matters to you right now. For 2027, we're keeping the foundation strong while making a few updates designed to give you more flexibility and support.
Here's what's changing for 2027.
Medical
Let’s look at what’s changing across your medical plans for 2027 and learn how we’re making it easier for you to get the care you need, when you need it!
A few cost updates. You will see some changes to copayments, including a reduction to non-primary care visit copayments, and changes to outpatient and specialist copayments. Here’s what’s changing:
- The copayment for non-primary care visits under the open access network will reduce from $30 to $25.
- A copayment of $50 will apply to specialist* visits (not including physical therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy).
- The outpatient copayment will change from $50 to $100 for all outpatient services received (not just surgery).
*Specialist visits include visits to any physician who has additional training in one specific area of medicine such as cardiologists, allergists, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, neurologists, hematologist, oncologists, infectious disease specialists, etc.
More ways to get care, on your schedule. You already have access to Doctor on Demand for acute, urgent care or mental health needs. Now, we’re taking it one step further! Starting January 1, you and your covered family members will have access to Virtual Primary Care through Doctor on Demand — providing convenient access to ongoing primary care, everyday urgent care, and mental health support through secure video visits. This new service makes it easier to get care, manage your health, and connect with providers from wherever you are.
It’s care that fits your schedule and best of all — there is no cost to you. Look for more details coming soon!
Prescription drug
One card, simpler coverage. Your prescription drug coverage is moving from Express Scripts to CVS (a Wellmark partner), simplifying your coverage. Now, you'll carry one ID card for both medical and pharmacy benefits instead of two cards. Look for your new ID card, mailed to your home in December!
Health plan premiums
While healthcare and pharmacy costs are projected to increase by approximately 9% this year, EMC continues to make a significant investment in your benefits and has worked to keep premium increases well below the overall trend. Over the past five years, EMC has passed through minimal premium increases annually, compared to the 8-10% average increases seen at many other employers. Rising healthcare and pharmacy expenses, increased claim costs, and evolving pharmacy regulations have made these modest adjustments necessary. These changes help us balance costs today, while continuing to invest in benefits that reflect what our team members actually value—now and as your needs evolve.
Dental
More coverage for certain types of fillings. Coinsurance for posterior composites (white filling on back teeth) will now be 10% for PPO network and 20% for Premier network.
Flexible Spending Account plans
P&A Group will replace WEX Health as the plan administrator for the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). P&A Group is a leading provider of employee benefits including Flexible Spending Account administration. P&A Group offers superior customer service—you are connected directly with live, highly trained benefits experts, dedicated to resolving your questions on the very first call. Current FSA plan participants will receive communications from P&A group with instructions on next steps.
We will be implementing a new feature that allows Health Care FSA participants to carry over up to $680 in unused funds from 2027 to 2028. Starting in 2027, this new carryover feature will replace the grace period that currently allows participants to incur eligible expenses through March 15 of the following year and be reimbursed.
The Health Care FSA maximum will increase to $3,400 per team member.
Thrive Well-being Program
Watch for exciting changes to the well-being program! There will be a new platform through Wellmark Connect that offers you a simplified program with opportunities to save on healthcare premiums and access to resources to support your unique needs.
Supplemental health benefits
Give yourself an extra layer of protection and peace of mind. You can now enroll in supplemental benefits including Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity. Supplemental health plans work hand-in-hand with your medical coverage to help cover life's unexpected moments—from a hospital stay to a sudden accident. They put extra cash back in your pocket when you need it most. Just remember, they're designed to complement your medical plan, not replace it.
Additional time off work
An extra day off, more flexibility for you. You will now have one additional floating holiday each year (you must use it within the year it is provided). The additional floating holiday offers you the flexibility to use your time off according to your individual preferences.
Mark Your Calendars!
Oct. 26 through Nov. 6 is the time to review your benefits, make changes, and confirm your enrollment for 2027.
Starting Oct. 26 at 8 a.m. CT, you can access your open enrollment journey in Workday and complete your elections through the open enrollment event in your Workday inbox. Review, edit, and select your benefits and dependent(s).
If you don’t make changes by Nov. 6, your current health, life insurance, and supplemental health coverage elections will carry over to 2027, except for Flexible Spending Account (FSA) elections. If you want to contribute to an FSA in 2027, you must submit an election by Nov 6.
