Open Enrollment
State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) & Supplemental Benefits Open Enrollment
The annual Open Enrollment begins on October 1, 2026 - October 31, 2026, for plan changes effective January 1, 2027.
Open Enrollment is the opportunity for employees to make changes (adding or deleting dependents, changing coverage levels, etc.) or enroll in a different medical or dental plan. All changes to coverage made during this Open Enrollment period will be effective on January 1 of the following year.
Please note that this is a passive open enrollment. If you would like to remain in the plans you are currently enrolled in for medical/prescription drug, or dental coverage, no action is required.
View the Open Enrollment Events Lineup
VIEWING YOUR CURRENT ELECTIONS
You may view all of your current benefits elections in Workday by clicking on your profile image or initials in the top right corner and choosing "view profile.” Once in your profile navigate to “Benefits” in the blue navigation column on the left-hand side.
You can also access a Benefits Summary (displaying only your medical, prescription drug and dental enrollment) by logging into the mynjbenefitshub.
HOW TO ENROLL / CHANGE YOUR PLAN(S)
During the upcoming open enrollment period, you only need to take action if you are making changes to your medical, prescription drug and/or dental enrollment. To make these changes, you are required to log into mynjbenefitshub.
IF YOU TAKE NO ACTION – your current benefit plan elections for medical, prescription drug and/or dental will carry over to the new plan year. Review your benefits options before you decide.
More information on how to enroll or change your benefits
Please note for first time benefitsolver registration, the Company Key is SHBP/SEHBP (all capital letters)
Please note that health benefit rates may be viewed in the mynjbenefitshub portal.
EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR SHBP COVERAGE
You may view the 2027 employee premium share contribution amounts for all plans by logging into the mynjbenefitshub. Additionally, percentage of salary and percentage of premium contribution worksheets and the online rate calculators will be posted to the NJDPB website under “Calculate Your Costs” section.
Horizon Cost Calculator - 2027
MEDICAL PLANS
The medical plans offered will remain the same in 2027, and both Aetna and Horizon will continue as providers. However, rates and certain plan features may differ from the previous year. If you would like to maintain the coverage you currently have in your medical/ prescription drug plan, no action is required.
The medical plans available to Kean University employees for Plan Year 2027 are as follows:
List of available Medical Plan Designs & Descriptions
Medical Plans for: Union Negotiated Members - AFT, IFPTE, NJSOLEA, NJLESA, PBA, and MANAGERS
Medical Plans for: Members of CWA
IF YOU TAKE NO ACTION – your current benefit plan elections will carry over to the new plan year. Review your benefits options before you decide.
Open Enrollment - Medical plans resources
Plan Comparisons – Medical - CWA
Plan Comparisons – Medical - AFT, Managers, IFPTE, PBA, NJSOLEA, NJLESA
Plan Comparisons – Rx - AFT, Managers, IFPTE, PBA, NJSOLEA, NJLESA
NEW for 2027 - CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE PILOT PROGRAM
During Plan Year 2027, the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) will implement a Centers of Excellence (COE) Pilot Program. The COE, administered by Carrum Health, will apply to all members enrolled in a PPO plan (listed below):
- 26 Aetna Freedom
- 26 Horizon NJ DIRECT
- 26 Aetna CWA Unity Freedom
- 26 Horizon CWA Unity DIRECT
This program will provide an opportunity to reduce members’ out-of-pocket costs for certain non-emergency procedures while keeping a high quality of care. Members enrolled in a PPO plan will be required to consult with Carrum Health prior to scheduling a COE covered procedure. The covered procedures include diagnostic colonoscopies, knee and hip replacements, and bariatric, spinal, and heart surgeries. Please note that diagnostic colonoscopies will continue to be an Ambulatory Surgical Center-covered procedure until the COE program starts.
Carrum will help the member locate a COE-participating location in their area. If the member has the procedure performed by a provider in the Carrum network, they will have no cost share. If the member utilizes a provider in their carrier’s (i.e. Aetna or Horizon) network when a COE-participating provider is available, they will pay a $300 copay. If the member goes out-of-network, they will be subject to all applicable member cost sharing as well as possible billing by the provider for costs not covered by the plan’s reimbursement.
If an SHBP member does not wish to participate in the COE Pilot Program, then the member can enroll in an HMO, HDHP, or Tiered-Network plan during Open Enrollment for Plan Year 2027.
INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR THE TIERED-NETWORK PLAN
The Incentive Program for the 26 Aetna Liberty Plus and 26 Horizon OMNIA plans are available to State employees. The program offers a financial incentive of $1,000 to first-time enrollees who remain enrolled for one year for all coverage levels (i.e., Single, Member and Spouse, Parent and Child, or Family coverage). The incentive shall be forfeited and returned to the SHBP if the subscriber fails to remain enrolled in the Tiered Network Plan for at least one plan year. This program does not extend to children over the age of 26 or COBRA members. For more information regarding this incentive, click here.
AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS (ASC)
Due to continuing increases in health benefit costs, the State Health Benefits Program Plan Design Committee (SHBP PDC) determined that certain plan coinsurance changes were necessary. As of July 1, 2026, new cost sharing rules apply to members with an Aetna or Horizon 26 plan who have certain non-emergency procedures. Members who use an in-network ASC instead of an in-network hospital, out-of-network hospital, or out-of-network ASC will not have to pay 50% of the coinsurance after their deductible.
MEMBERSHIP TO DIRECT PRIMARY CARE MEDICAL HOME DOCTOR’S OFFICE INCLUDED IN THE SHBP
The SHBP offers employees and their covered dependents the opportunity to join a Direct Primary Care doctor's office. This is available as part of the Aetna and Horizon plans and does not require any changes to members’ health plan elections. Members may choose a Direct Primary Care doctor from Marathon Health. More information regarding Direct Primary Care Medical Homes can be found here.
NJWELL PROGRAM
NJWELL provides inclusive and holistic experiences to meet members’ needs through activities and education programming to support healthy lifestyles. NJWELL is open to employees who are enrolled in the SHBP. Spouses and eligible partners can also participate, as long as they are covered by the SHBP plan. Participants have access to specialized programming and benefits, including live wellness events, fitness challenges, and online wellness platforms tailored to their unique needs. Participants can also earn up to a possible $350 in rewards based on points earned from participation in NJWELL. The current NJWELL 2026 Plan Year will be coming to a close on October 31, 2026. Watch your email for upcoming information about NJWELL in 2027. For information about the program, visit the NJWELL page on the NJDPB website here.
TYPE AND LEVEL OF COVERAGE
Members will not be able to select different levels of Medical and Prescription Plan Coverage. For example, a member may not elect to have Single Medical coverage and Member/Spouse Prescription coverage. The level of coverage must be the same for both plans.
WAIVING SHBP COVERAGE
Employees may choose to waive SHBP medical and prescription coverage either during the annual Open Enrollment period or at any time during the year. This waiver must be submitted through mynjbenefitshub. Employees who have previously waived coverage do not need to submit a new waiver each Open Enrollment period.
SHBP VIRTUAL BENEFITS FAIR
The Virtual Benefits Fair will open on October 1, 2026, and will be available throughout the Open Enrollment period by logging in to mynjbenefitshub. Members can browse the Virtual Benefits Fair where they can visit virtual vendor’s booths, access benefit resources, register to attend informative webinars, and enter for a chance to win prizes. The Virtual Benefits Fair also includes information about the new Centers of Excellence Pilot Program.
AETNA & HORIZON WEBINARS
Aetna and Horizon will host a series of live webinars for members during Open Enrollment. Members may register for a webinar by accessing the webinar calendar.
FIND A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
Members can access each carrier’s provider directory and website through mynjbenefitshub, or they can log in to the carrier’s website directly. The Aetna and Horizon provider directories enable members to search for quality in-network health care providers, facilities, and cost-sharing information. Links to carrier websites which include comprehensive search tools can also be found on the NJDPB website.
DENTAL PLANS
Dental plan offered in 2027 will remain the same as the current year. However, your dental rates will differ. The dental plans available to Kean University employees for Plan Year 2027 are as follows: Aetna DMO, Aetna DEP and Horizon DEP. For further details, please click here.
Open Enrollment is also open for:
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Tax$ave Program
Supplemental Benefits Open Enrollment
QUESTIONS DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT?
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.