Health Coverage for Part-Time Employees and Adjuncts
Special Open Enrollment Period April 2026
The Office of Human Resources at Kean University is reminding eligible adjunct faculty members and part-time employees who are members of a state-administered retirement system, such as ABP, PERS, or DCRP, that the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) is holding a Special Open Enrollment period from April 1, 2026, to April 30, 2026. Plan changes made during the Special Open Enrollment will be effective July 1, 2026.
The current medical plans will no longer be offered. The NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits will automatically move you to a new “26” medical plan with the same carrier that corresponds to your current medical plan effective as of July 1, 2026. For example, “NJ DIRECT” will become “26 NJ DIRECT.”
This Special Open Enrollment will allow active State employees currently enrolled in a SHBP medical plan the opportunity to change their medical plan election to a different new “26” plan, other than the one to which you will be automatically enrolled. You will not be permitted to elect coverage if you previously waived medical coverage, add dependents to your existing plan, or make changes to your dental plan.
You are not required to take any action, unless you would like to change your plan from the one that will be automatically assigned to you effective July 1, 2026.
For information on what is changing, cost calculators and side by side comparisons, please visit the Special Open Enrollment page.
Costs of Coverage
If an eligible adjunct faculty member or a part-time employee elects to enroll and purchase coverage, she or he must pay the full cost of the coverage.
Additional Information
The HR benefits team is here to support you during Open Enrollment. If you have questions regarding the Open Enrollment or your benefits, please free to contact us
- Via email benefits@kean.edu
- Via phone - Paige O’Brien (908-737-3302) or benefits team contacts
- In Person
- Walk Ins welcome for general questions.
- Appointments recommended for in-depth topic reviews.
Medical Plans
Part-time employees of Kean University, including adjuncts, who are currently enrolled in a state administered retirement plan, are eligible to enroll in the Part-Time State Health Benefits Program for medical and prescription drug coverage. Eligible employees who wish to enroll in a prescription drug option must also enroll in a medical plan. Eligible employees who enroll will pay the full share of the premium costs, which will be billed directly to the employee on a monthly basis by the Division of Pensions and Benefits.
The following health plans are available to adjunct employees:
- Horizon - NJ DIRECT (2019) / Aetna - Freedom (2019)
- Horizon - OMNIA / Aetna - Liberty
- Horizon - HMO / Aetna - HMO
- Horizon - NJ DIRECT HDHigh/ Aetna - Freedom HDHigh
Medical Plans Brochures
AETNA 2026 Plan Comparison Guide
Horizon 2026 Plan Comparison Guide
Summaries of Benefits and Coverage for the plans will be available on the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits website once posted under “Review Your Plan Choices.”
Enrolling in the Health Plan for PART-TIME EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING ADJUNCTS
Application for PPO, HMO, Tiered and High Deductible Health Plans
Register for Benefitsolver (use this link if you have not yet logged into Benefitsolver for the first time)
New Hire Enrollment
Generally, coverage may begin after 60 days of continuous employment. However, adjuncts whose appointments/contracts start on September 1st may enroll in coverage as of their September 1st start date. Part-time employees and Adjuncts that begin employment on any other dates are eligible for part-time health benefits following a 60 day waiting period.
Open Enrollment
Eligible participants may also elect to enroll in medical and prescription drug coverage, or make changes to their current coverage during the Open Enrollment period (October 1-31) for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP). All changes to coverage will be effective as of January 1, 2026.
Questions?
Please contact Jennifer Kim at jakim@kean.eduor at (908)-737-3317