The ADOA/ASRS Health Insurance Open Enrollment seminar featured presentations from Tracie Caruthers representing ADOA, Randi Gray representing ASRS and Joleen McBride representing UHC. 

Tracie started the seminar by presenting on the changes that are taking place with the health insurance plans offered by ADOA. The United Health Care triple tier plan is being replaced with a PPO plan for 2026. Those who are currently enrolled in the three-tiered plan will be automatically converted over to the PPO for 2026. There will also be premium increases for 2026. The new rates can be found in the Retiree Enrollment Guide (link below). Tracie also briefly covered the changes that were made to the administrative system used to view current benefits and make changes if needed – AZ360. A new quick reference guide is available on the ADOA benefits website along with the complete enrollment guide. Both of these guides have step-by-step instructions on how to login to the new system, how to view your current benefits and how to make changes if you choose to do so. Tracie stressed that this is a passive enrollment, so if you don’t plan on making any changes, you don’t need to do anything. You current benefits will be rolled over to 2026. If you have any questions, you can submit a ticket to the ADOA Benefits office at the link below (Benefit Services Contact Form & Service Request). Links to the complete enrollment guide and the quick reference guide, along with a link to Tracie’s presentation slide deck, are as follows:

• ADOA Retiree Enrollment Guide
• Retiree Enrollment Quick Reference Guide
• Benefit Services Contact Form & Service Request
• Presentation Slide Deck

Randi Gray, from ASRS, presented next. She provided an overview of important dates, plan options, and enrollment information for both Medicare and non-Medicare members. She also discussed the available dental plans and premium changes for the upcoming year. This is a passive enrollment for this year, which means you if you do not wish to make any changes you will be automatically re-enrolled in your current plan for 2026.

Joleen McBride from UHC presented details the two health insurance plans – an Arizona-only HMO and a nationwide PPO. She went over the differences between the two plans including network restrictions, out-of-pocket expenses and coverage for urgent care and emergencies both locally and worldwide. She also discussed routine benefits, such as vision and hearing coverage. Joleen encourage members to use the online provider directory to find covered providers. She further covered the benefits of the Medicare health plans including free wellness programs, virtual healthcare services and preventive care rewards.

Links to the material presented and available for ASRS are as follows:

• ASRS Open enrollment video and materials
• 2026 Open enrollment Medicare presentation
• Health Insurance Terminology & 2026 Part D Changes video
• ASRS United Health Care plan website