Open Enrollment

2027 Open Enrollment is Oct. 12–Nov. 6, 2026

2027 Open Enrollment is for App State permanent employees. The changes made during Open Enrollment take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

What's New for 2027

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 2027.
Health Care Premiums: Standard PPO Plan (70/30) and Plus PPO Plan (80/20)	2027 Open Enrollment Guide: Important changes to 2027 premium rates - Review the plan summaries on www.shpnc.org for the most up-to-date plan details. There will be increases to premiums. Active members will have a monthly increase ranging from less than $2 to around $8 for individual coverage and less than $29 to $42 per month for family coverage.
NEW Tiered Provider Network Plan	There will be four tiers of providers, and your out-of-pocket costs will vary based on the tier of the provider you choose: Preferred: You’ll have lower deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and copays than what you are currently paying when you receive care from a preferred provider. Access: You’ll generally have the same out-of-pocket costs as you have today, but in some cases costs may be lower when you receive care from an access provider. Non-Preferred: You’ll have significant increases to your out-of-pocket costs when you receive care from a non-preferred provider. Out-of-Network: You’ll continue to have higher out-of-pocket costs when you receive care from an out-of-network provider since these providers are not included in the Plan’s broad, national network.
UNC Plan Updates	Employee Voluntary Life Insurance Plan: The monthly cost of coverage for employee voluntary life insurance (with matching AD&D rider) has slightly decreased Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Plans: The monthly cost of coverage for employee voluntary AD&D as well as employee and family AD&D has decreased.
NCFlex Changes	2027 NCFlex Enrollment Guide Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) - The Health Care FSA maximum annual contribution is increasing to $3,400. Cancer and Specified Disease Vendor Name Change to The Standard: https://mybenefits.standard.com Critical Illness Plan: Rates are increasing

Where to Enroll/Make Changes

1. Between Oct. 12 and Nov. 6, 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.
Log into UNC Empyrean for enrollment/changes to NCFlex benefits (all benefits except health)
- Dental
- Vision
- Accident
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- UNC Voluntary Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (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 2027. If you want to participate in either of the FSAs, you must make an election during Open Enrollment. Keep in mind:

The 2027 Health Care FSA maximum annual contribution limit has increased to $3,400.
The 2027 Dependent Day Care FSA maximum annual contribution limit for 2027 remains $7,500.
All other elections made through this platform will remain in effect for 2027 unless you make a change during Open Enrollment.

Need More Information?

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

Appointments and Drop-in Hours

Human Resources is here to support you during Open Enrollment. Schedule an appointment (in person or virtual) with an App State Benefits representative for Open Enrollment assistance, or stop by during our drop-in hours listed below.

Note: To ensure everyone receives dedicated support during Open Enrollment, Human Resources cannot accommodate unscheduled walk-ins at our main office. For general assistance or quick questions, please visit our new Human Resources Service Center to submit a support request.

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.

Boone Campus Drop-in Hours

Drop-in support is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Room 165 (Elk Knob) in Plemmons Student Union, on the following days:

Thursday, Oct. 15
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Monday, Oct. 26

Hickory Campus Drop-in Hours

Drop-in support is available on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Faculty Commons.

For more assistance, Hickory employees can also make a virtual/Zoom appointment with a Benefits staff member.

Assistance with Enrollment Platforms

eBenefits (Benefitfocus): During the Open Enrollment period of October 12 - November 6, 2026, 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

Video - 2026 Open Enrollment for Active Members
Open Enrollment Outreach Events and Webinars
UNC System Enrollment Guide (at-a-glance overview of all coverages)
NCFlex Enrollment Guide (overview of Dental, Vision, FSAs, and supplemental coverages)
State Health Plan of North Carolina

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

You will only use eBenefits (Benefitfocus) to make your 2027 elections for health coverage through the State Health Plan. You will use the UNC (Empyrean) platform to make all other 2027 benefit elections, including all NCFlex and UNC System benefits.
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.
Any elections you made through the UNC (Empyrean) enrollment platform last year—UNC voluntary life insurance and AD&D, cancer and specified disease, UNC Supplemental Disability, and critical illness—will remain in effect for 2027 unless you make a change during Open Enrollment.
If you enrolled in the Plus PPO Plan (80/20) through the State Health Plan during 2026 and want to participate in that option in 2027, you must enroll for coverage on the eBenefits (Benefitfocus) platform during Open Enrollment.

Office of Human Resources