News & Announcements

Office of Human Resources

News & Announcements

Annual Enrollment for 2027 Benefits

 

Annual Enrollment Period: October 1 through October 16, 2026 
Effective Date for Changes: January 1, 2027

Passive Enrollment:

All enrollees are encouraged to login and review your current coverage to verify that your selections are accurate. If you do not make any changes, your current benefits will continue into next year.

Note: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) must be renewed each year. 

New Dependents:

If you’re adding new dependents or a spouse, you will be required to submit documents to prove their relationship to you.

  • Dependent verification documents MUST be submitted within 10 days after your Annual Enrollment deadline.
  • The following documents are NOT acceptable for spouses: car loan statements, utility bills, cell phone bills, cable bills and voided checks.
  • If you and your spouse both work for agencies on the State Group Insurance Program, you cannot cover each other on your insurance, unless you’re enrolled in different plan groups, such as State, Local Education or Local Government. You must also choose only one plan option for your dependent children.

Health Insurance:

For 2027, health insurance premiums will increase due to rising healthcare costs; however, they are lower than both the national and state averages. Premiums will increase by an average of 7.9%.

You will have the choice of the same three (3) health plan options:

  • Premier Preferred Provider Organization
  • Standard PPO
  • Consumer-driven Health Plan

You will also have the choice of the same two (2) carriers:

  • BlueCross BlueShield of TN
  • Cigna

For the PPOs, there will be no increase in health plan copays, deductibles or coinsurance.

For the CDHP, deductibles will increase as recently announced by the IRS, but coinsurance will not. These are your “cost shares” for the out-of-pocket costs you pay when you get care.

Weight-loss surgery will only be covered through the Carrum Health centers of excellence program. There will be no cost share for PPO members and no cost for CDHP members after meeting their deductible. Weight-loss surgery performed by any other provider will not be covered.  

Health plan members enrolled in the Sharecare wellness program will be able to earn an incentive for participating in the Unwinding Anxiety program. Five wellness challenges will offer incentives instead of four.

Member ID Cards:

Those who are newly enrolled, members who changed their last name and members who change plans will receive new medical, behavioral health and pharmacy ID cards for 2027.

All individuals enrolled in the Consumer-driven Health Plan will get new medical ID cards.

When cards will be mailed:

  • BlueCross BlueShield: ID cards will be mailed by Dec.15, 2026.
  • Cigna (both medical and dental): ID cards will be mailed between Dec. 9-18, 2026.
  • CVS Caremark: ID cards will be mailed between Dec. 11-31, 2026.
  • MetLife Dental: ID cards will be mailed between Dec. 9-18, 2026.
  • EyeMed: ID cards will be mailed by Dec.17, 2026.
  • Optum Behavioral Health: ID cards will be mailed by Dec.15, 2026.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

HSA contribution limits will increase in 2027. 

  • Self-only coverage: $4,500 (increase of $100 from 2026)
  • Family coverage: $9,000 (increase of $250 from 2026)
  • Catch-up contribution (age 55+): $1,000 (unchanged)

Current consumer-driven health plan/health savings account members will use their same debit cards. Newly enrolled CDHP members will get a new debit card from TASC.

HSA debit cards will be mailed between Dec. 10-31, 2026. They’ll arrive in an unmarked envelope.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA):

In 2027, the flexible spending account administrator will continue to be TASC. Employees must reenroll in FSAs each year during Annual Enrollment if they want to participate.

Dental and Vision:

Dental and vision premium rates and benefits will not change next year. The same carriers will administer these benefits.

Disability:

Disability coverage will stay with MetLife.

  • Short Term Disability: If you’re enrolled in short-term disability now and you don’t cancel your coverage during Annual Enrollment, you will be automatically enrolled in the only available plan.
  • Long Term Disability: In 2027, only one long-term disability plan will be offered, and all eligible employees will be automatically enrolled. The state will pay 100% of the monthly premium for this long-term disability plan.

Life Insurance:

Life insurance premium rates and benefits will not change next year.

Optum Behavioral Health:

All state and higher education employees, and enrolled health plan members and eligible dependents will now get up to eight short-term counseling visits, per problem, per year, per individual at no cost.

Additional Resources:

Partners for Health: Important 2027 Benefit Updates

Enrollment Materials:

 

Helpful Videos: Annual Enrollment Videos

Need Help:

Benefits Administration
800.253.9981 or 615.741.3590  
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CT  
Fax: 615.741.8196 
e-mail: benefits.administration@tn.gov

Re-employment of Retirees

In April 2025, the Tennessee General Assembly passed, and the Governor signed into law, legislation impacting Return to Work program requirements and optional membership in the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS). Public Chapter 159 – (SB251/HB313) introduces:

  1. a new return to work program for hard to fill position,
  2. defines the term Bona Fide Separation from Service for consistency with federal law, and
  3. eliminates the ability to waive the 60-day waiting period for 120-day temporary employment. Public Chapter 159 becomes effective on July 1, 2025.

For additional information and guidance, please see the Legislation Impacting: Return to Work and Optional Membership announcement or visit Retire Ready Tennessee for Retirees

Retirement Consultations:

Cassandra Wyrick from Empower will conduct on campus for retirement consultations throughout the year. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to discuss their retirement options. This is a valuable chance to get personalized advice on your retirement plans, including the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), 401(k), and other retirement options available to employees. To see time, availability and to schedule an appointment, please click on the link below.