Open Enrollment Toolkit for HR reps
Use the following tools/resources to help you prepare for and answer questions about Open Enrollment (October 1-31, 2026).
Where to Find Open Enrollment Resources
Visit the Open Enrollment webpage on the HR website to find the most updated information, including links to the following tools/resources. We suggest bookmarking this page in your browser so you can easily find Open Enrollment information throughout October.
- Open Enrollment guides for faculty, academic, and support staff
- Detailed instructions on how to participate in Open Enrollment through the EBS portal
- Instructions for how to add a family member or dependent
- Details about the MSU Benefits Fair and HR Site Labs
- Online Benefit Provider Resources
2027 Plan Year Updates
Employees can refer to page 6 of the relevant Open Enrollment Guide to view all updates and reminders.
Here are some important highlights:
- Spouse/OEI affidavit is not required: As a reminder, employees no longer need to complete the spouse/other eligible individual (OEI) affidavit in the EBS Portal to continue coverage for your spouse/OEI. If someone currently covers a spouse/OEI on their health care plan, their coverage will automatically continue in 2027 without any action. However, the spouse/OEI premium threshold requirement still applies. To enroll a spouse/OEI in MSU coverage, the spouse/OEI must enroll in health care coverage through their own current or former employer if the annual premium cost for single-person coverage is $1,850 or less. Employees may still cover a spouse/OEI on their MSU health coverage as a secondary plan. Please review the Open Enrollment FAQs for more information.
- Minor change to online enrollment instructions: Please note the minor change to access the Open Enrollment application within the EBS portal. From the top navigation, employees will now select Me @ MSU and then My Benefits, followed by the Open Enrollment tile. View the Open Enrollment Instructions webpage for more details.
MSU Benefits Fair and Site Labs
Benefits Fair (In-person)
October 22 | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Jack Breslin Student Events Center
MSU benefit providers and MSU HR staff will be available to answer questions and/or help employees enroll in their benefits on-site at the Breslin Student Events Center.
Learn More: Please visit the HR Benefits Fair webpage to find more details about the fair.
HR Site Labs
Employees can participate in an HR Site Lab to receive assistance with enrollment or ask questions about benefit options. We are offering virtual and in-person options.
Learn More: Please visit the HR Site Labs webpage to learn more about how to participate in the HR site labs.
October 9 | Virtual | 9 a.m. to Noon
October 12 | Virtual | 7 to 10 p.m.
October 14 | In-person | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | International Center, 427 N. Shaw Lane, Spartan Rooms B and C, East Lansing, MI 48824
October 20 | Virtual | 2 to 5 p.m.
October 27 | In-person | 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | MSU Union, 49 Abbot Road, Room UB55 (Ground Floor), East Lansing, MI 48824
October 30 | In-person | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | HR Building, 1407 S. Harrison Road, Room 125, East Lansing, MI 48823
Online Benefit Provider Resources
The Online Benefit Provider Resources webpage provides a range of resources from our MSU benefit providers, which employees can access online at any time. Resources include brochures, videos, contact information for further questions, and more. This is an excellent resource, particularly for employees who are unable to attend the in-person benefits fair. Please note, this page is currently being updated and will be ready for the start of Open Enrollment on October 1.
An Open Enrollment Checklist
Do you have employees who require additional support in navigating Open Enrollment? Consider sending them a link to this Open Enrollment Checklist article, which helps employees ensure they choose the best benefit plans for their needs.
Special Instructions for New Hires During Open Enrollment
New hires who start before Open Enrollment still need to complete Open Enrollment to do the following:
- Review the premium threshold amount for a spouse/OEI health coverage in the 2027 plan year.
- Enroll in plans that require annual renewal (i.e., flexible spending accounts).
- Make changes to the current 2026 plan year selections for the 2027 plan year.
New hires who start during or after Open Enrollment must complete Open Enrollment to enroll in plans that require annual renewal (i.e., flexible spending accounts) or to modify plan selections made for the 2026 plan year. If they cover a spouse/OEI, they do not need to complete an affidavit. Please have the new hire fill out the Open Enrollment Offline Enrollment/Change form (link coming mid-September).
New hires who start on or after December 1 do not need to contact HR to obtain an Open Enrollment link for enrolling in FSA plans. FSA plans elected during new hire enrollment will take effect on the first of the month following the enrollment date.
Special Instructions for ACA-Mandated Employees
ACA-mandated employee eligibility must be re-evaluated to determine if they are eligible to enroll or continue in the MSU health plan. In case these employees come across other Open Enrollment materials, we wanted to remind you that they are currently ineligible to participate in Open Enrollment.
At the end of their measurement period, they will be allowed to enroll in, change, or cancel their health care benefits. If they are eligible, an email will be sent to their msu.edu email account explaining their enrollment period and plan options.
Special Instructions for Employees on an Unpaid Leave of Absence (including layoff)
Employees on an unpaid leave of absence during Open Enrollment are unable to complete Open Enrollment online. Please refer to the MSU Open Enrollment Benefits Guide for Special Groups (link available mid-September) for information on how to participate in Open Enrollment and the changes that are allowed.
Questions
Please contact MSU Human Resources at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434 with questions.
