Office of Human Resources

Benefits Open Enrollment

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What's New for 2026

 

Action Needed:  Primary Care Provider (PCP) Designation

You will need to log in to eBenefits (Benefitfocus) to designate your Primary Care Provider under Aetna during Open Enrollment to continue to enjoy lower copays when visiting that provider in 2026.

Standard PPO Plan (70/30) and Plus PPO Plan (80/20)

Important changes to 2026 premium rates - Review the plan summaries on www.shpnc.org for the most up-to-date plan details.
* Subscriber-only premiums will be based on salary, helping reduce costs for lower-salaried employees.
* Subscribers no longer have to complete the Tobacco Attestation to reduce premiums.
* Deductibles and copays in both plans have changed.
* The Lantern Surgery Benefit: when you need a planned, non-emergency procedure, there will be no cost ($0) for the surgery for members who use a Lantern provider —no deductibles and no copays. Members will receive more information directly from Lantern regarding this benefit. Medicare Primary members are not eligible.



NCFlex

  • 2026 NCFlex Enrollment Guide
  • Dental Plans - Premiums are increasing.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) - The Health Care FSA maximum annual contribution is increasing to $3,300.

Where to Enroll/Make Changes

1. Between Oct. 13 and Oct. 31, visit the UNC System Open Enrollment page. 
2. Look for the Appalachian State University button under both the eBenefits and Empyrean headings. Log in using your App State username and password.

  • Log into eBenefits for enrollment/changes for your Health Plan. You will need to log in to designate your Primary Care Provider under Aetna during Open Enrollment. If you enrolled in the former Enhanced PPO Plan (80/20) through the State Health Plan during 2025 and want to participate in that option (Plus PPO Plan) in 2026, you must enroll for coverage during Open Enrollment.
  • Log into UNC Empyrean for enrollment/changes to NCFlex benefits (all benefits except health)
    • Dental
    • Vision
    • Accident
    • Flexible Spending Accounts
    • UNC Life Insurance
    • UNC Voluntary AD&D
    • UNC Supplemental Disability
    • Cancer and Specified Disease
    • Critical Illness
    • TRICARE Supplement coverage

 

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) require re-enrollment every year, so your benefit election from last year will not roll over for 2026. If you want to participate in either of the FSAs, you must make an election during Open Enrollment. Keep in mind:

  • The 2026 Health Care FSA maximum annual contribution limit has increased to $3,300.
  • The 2026 Dependent Day Care FSA maximum annual contribution limit for 2026 is $7,500.
  • All other elections made through this platform will remain in effect for 2026 unless you make a change during Open Enrollment.


Need More Information?

Need more information or have questions? You've got options!

Make an Appointment

Make an appointment here. Choose to meet with an App State Benefits staff member either in-person or virtually for Open Enrollment.

Drop-in Hours 

App State Benefits representatives are available for drop-in appointments  on the following days:

  • Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. in Room 165, Elk Knob, Plemmons Student Union

  • Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. in Room 165, Elk Knob, Plemmons Student Union

  • Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. in Room 165, Elk Knob, Plemmons Student Union

Note: Human Resources cannot accommodate unscheduled drop-in inquiries during Open Enrollment. Please make an appointment or visit during the drop-in hours listed above.


Hickory Campus 

App State Benefits representatives are available for drop-in appointments in Hickory on the following days:

  • Thursday, Oct 23, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Faculty Commons

For more assistance, Hickory employees can also make a virtual/Zoom appointment with a Benefits staff member (choose Open Enrollment > virtual). 

  

Assistance with Enrollment Platforms

eBenefits (Benefitfocus):  During the Open Enrollment period of October 13 - October  31, 2025, the Eligibility and Enrollment Support Center will have extended hours. Call 855-859-0966, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m., ET, and Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., ET.

UNC (Empyrean):   Call the University of North Carolina Benefits Service Center at 833-862-1490, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., ET.

Other Resources

You can also call the State Eligibility and Enrollment Support Center at 855-859-0966. Hours during Open Enrollment: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Important Reminders About Open Enrollment

  1. You will only use eBenefits (Benefitfocus) to make your 2026 elections for health coverage through the State Health Plan. You will use the UNC (Empyrean) platform to make all other 2026 benefit elections, including all NCFlex and UNC System benefits.
  2. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) require re-enrollment every year, so your benefit election from last year will not roll over to the UNC (Empyrean) platform. If you want to participate in either of the FSAs, you must make an election on the UNC (Empyrean) platform during Open Enrollment.
  3. Any elections you made through the UNC (Empyrean) enrollment platform last year—UNC life insurance, UNC voluntary AD&D, UNC supplemental disability, cancer and specified disease, and critical illness—will remain in effect for 2026 unless you make a change during Open Enrollment.
  4. If you enrolled in the Plus PPO Plan (80/20) through the State Health Plan during 2025 and want to participate in that option in 2026, you must enroll for coverage on the eBenefits (Benefitfocus) platform during Open Enrollment.