Open Enrollment
Plan Year 2026 State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Open Enrollment
October 1, 2025 through October 31, 2025
Open Enrollment Period
The State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) Open Enrollment period for Kean University employees begins on October 1, 2025, and ends on October 31, 2025.
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, 2026.
Tax$ave FSA Open Enrollment Information
VIEWING YOUR CURRENT ELECTIONS
You may view all of your current benefits elections in Workday by clicking on the Benefits and Pay App (in Workday), and then clicking Benefits/Benefit Elections in the navigation bar on the left. You can also access a Benefits Summary (displaying only your medical, prescription drug and dental enrollment) by logging into the mynjbenefitshub.
HOW TO ENROLL - ONLINE ENROLLMENT THROUGH MYNJBENEFITSHUB
All health benefit elections must be submitted online through mynjbenefitshub which can be accessed via the myNewJersey account portal or via mynjbenefitshub.nj.gov. Employees should log in to review their Benefits Summary for accuracy even if they are not making any changes during the Open Enrollment period. Also, it is essential that mynjbenefitshub have accurate mailing and email addresses on file so members can receive important information from the Division of Pensions and Benefits.
Mynjbenefitshub / benefitsolver Login
The Company Key is SHBP/SEHBP (all capital letters)
Employee Guide to Logging into Benefitsolver
More information on how to enroll or change your benefits
Please note that health benefit rates may be viewed in the mynjbenefitshub portal.
Employees will have until October 31, 2025, to submit their elections and upload new dependent documentation through mynjbenefitshub.
MEDICAL PLANS
The medical plans offered will remain the same in 2026, and both Aetna and Horizon will continue as providers. 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 2026 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.
Plan Comparison - Choosing the best plan for you
Side-by-side plan comparisons may be found at the links below:
AETNA 2026 Plan Comparison Guide
Horizon 2026 Plan Comparison Guide
For AFT, IFPTE, PBA, NJSOLEA, NJLESA and Managers
For CWA
Details such as summaries, and rates for the plans will be available on the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits website once posted.
INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR THE TIERED NETWORK PLAN
The Incentive Program for Aetna Liberty Plus and Horizon OMNIA is available for 2026. 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 employee fails to remain enrolled in the Tiered-Network Plan for at least one plan year. For more information regarding this incentive, members may visit Incentive - Tiered Network.
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.
Members also must elect to enroll in both Medical and Prescription. If a member wishes to waive coverage, both Medical and Prescription coverage must be waived. See the “Waiving SHBP Coverage” section for more information.
WAIVING SHBP COVERAGE
Kean 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.
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.
How do I check if my doctor is in network with Horizon?
Click on the Horizon Doctor & Hospital Finder. Then, enter the appropriate zip code and plan prefix code. See below for details.
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The card prefix is NJX for all of the PPO plans [All NJ DIRECT plans; CWA Unity DIRECT plans], including the NJ DIRECT High Deductible Health plans].
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The card prefix is SNJ for all of the Horizon HMO plans.
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The card prefix is NJO for OMNIA.
How do I check if my doctor is in network with Aetna?
Aetna Medical Plans – Find a provider link
Aetna DEP/DMO – Find a provider link
MEMBERSHIP TO DIRECT PRIMARY CARE MEDICAL HOME DOCTOR’S OFFICE INCLUDED IN 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 join Marathon Health, or if they are a first responder, they may join Integrity 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 2025 Plan Year will be coming to a close on October 31, 2025. Watch your email for upcoming information about NJWELL in 2026.
EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR SHBP COVERAGE
Pursuant to Pension and Health Benefit Reform (P.L. 2011, c. 78) and with the expiration, renewal, or extension of collective negotiations agreements, employees must pay a percentage of the cost of the medical and prescription plans, except for those listed below:
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Members participating in the Aetna Freedom/CWA Unity Freedom or Horizon NJ DIRECT/CWA Unity DIRECT plans will contribute a percentage of their salary toward the cost of benefits.
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Members participating in a Tiered Network plan will contribute 75 percent of the Aetna CWA Unity Freedom and Freedom or Horizon CWA Unity DIRECT and NJ DIRECT contribution rates in #1 above.
Percentage of salary and percentage of premium contribution worksheets and online rate calculators will be posted to the NJDPB website under “Calculate Your Costs” section.
PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS AVAILABLE FOR HDHP PARTICIPANTS
Employees participating in one of the High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) are able to use tax-deferred contributions from their paychecks to fund their Health Savings Account (HSA). If one of your employees chooses to enroll in one of the High Deductible plans, a separate HSA Contribution Form is required to be completed by the employee and returned to the employer to contribute to an HSA.
DENTAL PLANS
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Dental plans offered in 2026 will remain the same as the current year. The dental plans available to Kean University employees for Plan Year 2026 are as follows: Aetna DMO, Aetna DEP and Horizon DEP.
Dental coverage is offered to eligible employees through the Employee Dental Plans. Dental plans are offered based on two different plan designs — Dental Plan Organizations (DPO) and a Dental Expense Plan (DEP).
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One DPO is available: Aetna DMO
DPOs contract with a network of providers for dental services. When an employee or dependent uses a DPO dentist, diagnostic and preventive services are covered in full. Most other eligible expenses require a small copayment. Members must use a provider that participates with the selected DPO to receive coverage. Be sure to confirm that the dentist or dental facility is taking new patients and participates with the SHBP Employee Dental Plans.
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Two Dental Expense Plans (DEP) are available: Aetna DEP and Horizon DEP.
The DEP is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan that allows members to obtain services from any dentist; however, using an in-network provider will reduce an employee’s costs. After satisfying an annual deductible (no deductible for preventive services), members are reimbursed a percentage of the reasonable and customary charges for eligible services.
The employee cost for coverage under a dental plan is 50 percent of the actual dental plan premium. Therefore, the employee cost varies depending on which dental plan an employee chooses; however, the rate for coverage under a DPO remains considerably less expensive than the Dental Expense Plan.
Dental Rates (will be posted once announced by the DPB)
Prefer to Do Everything From Your Phone?
Visit mynjbenefitshub to download the MyChoice benefits app to manage and access all your benefits information on the go. Get instant answers by chatting with SOPHIA, your virtual benefits assistant, on the mynjbenefitshub and on the MyChoice benefits app. SOPHIA can answer many of your benefits questions 24/7 in over 50 languages.
Learn more about the MyChoice Benefits App
Fall 2025 Open Enrollment Benefits Fair
The Human Resources Team, Horizon, Aetna and many others (including Carebridge EAP and the ABP financial service providers) will be available to answer all of your Open Enrollment questions.
Employees who are curious about plan changes, new offerings and more concerning their benefits are encouraged to attend this event to gather first-hand knowledge to make informed decisions.
📅 October 15, 2025
🕒 12pm to 2pm
📍 MSC Atrium
This year we are also offering massages and consultations from our partners at Alliance Orthopedics!
🕒12 PM – 2 PM
📍 MSC Greek Lounge
Drop in – no registration required!
LIVE WEBINARS & VIRTUAL BENEFITS FAIR
30 Minute Kean Benefit Basics Series
The Office of Human Resources Benefits Unit will be hosting a series for the month of October to educate you on the robust benefits you are offered as an employee.
This is a virtual series that highlights supplemental benefits, our EAP, discount programs, and Q&A sessions to equip you to make any needed changes during the Open Enrollment Period.
RSVP for one or more of our sessions here!
👉Legal and Vision Plans with MetLife - October 1 | 3:30 PM – 4 PM
👉Life Insurance Plans with Lincoln Financial - October 3 | 11:30 AM - 12 PM
👉AFLAC Overview - October 7 | 12:30 PM – 1 PM
👉Carebridge EAP Overview - October 10 | 12:30 PM - 1 PM
👉 Q&A Session with Kean Benefits Team Part-Time & Adjunct Benefits - October 17 | 11:30 AM - 12 PM
👉Carebridge EAP Overview - October 22 | 3:30 PM - 4 PM
👉 Q&A Session with Kean Benefits Team - October 24 | 11:30 AM – 12 PM
VIRTUAL BENEFITS FAIR
The Virtual Benefits Fair will open on October 1, 2025, 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.
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.
QUESTIONS
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
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Via email benefits@kean.edu
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Via phone - Paige O’Brien (908-737-3302) or benefits team contacts
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In Person
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Walk Ins welcome for general questions.
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Appointments recommended for in-depth topic reviews.