What’s Changing for 2025
View a summary of the key changes being made to our benefits for 2025.
We’re excited for 2025’s Open Enrollment, and we think you will be, too! The enhancements this year can help you get the most from your healthcare dollars and offer you more transparency than ever. Open Enrollment for your 2025 benefits begins October 25 and ends November 8. Shop your available benefits, get a valuable recommendation from our new decision support tool, ALEX, and select the plans that provide the best coverage, value, and options for you and your family.
EMPOWERING YOU THROUGH BENEFITS
At Western Governors University, we recognize the value of our people and understand individual wellbeing is intertwined with life at work and at home. That’s why WGU is committed to fostering a supportive and fulfilling work experience through a robust rewards package with comprehensive benefits. We've designed our benefits with flexibility and diversity in mind, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. We actively seek feedback and utilize data-informed insights to continually enhance our offerings, ensuring they remain innovative, equitable, and scalable. At WGU, we are not just building a workplace; we are cultivating a community that values the health, happiness, and success of every employee and their family.
Inflationary pressures on healthcare costs continue to create challenges for organizations and their employees across the United States. As in past years, escalating costs are rising at a faster pace than other business expenses, with medical plan costs representing a substantial portion of the overall benefits outlay. Even in this context WGU is committed to offering in 2025 excellent benefits coverage through innovative, empowering plans—without passing along substantial cost increases. That's why we're thrilled to announce a modernization of your medical plan options. Starting in 2025, we're transitioning to UnitedHealthcare (UHC), Surest, and CVS Caremark for medical coverages and pharmacy benefits. UHC and Surest offer a vast national network of top-tier medical providers at competitive prices, and CVS Caremark greatly expands your prescription-filling options.
While the administration of the High Deductible Health Plan will be transitioned to UHC and CVS Caremark, the plan design and WGU HSA contributions will remain the same. The traditional Low Deductible Health Plan option will be replaced in 2025with the new Informed Choice Health Plan or ICHP. The ICHP’s Surest app and member support are a leap forward toward simplifying the healthcare experience for you. This new type of plan eliminates deductibles and coinsurance and instead lets you simply access care through transparent, upfront copays and numerous virtual care options. With the ICHP, you also get a new wellness incentive account, called a Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA), through ThrivePass, helping you fund nontraditional wellness expenses.
We often think of Open Enrollment as an option. But with WGU’s many enhancements for 2025, I encourage you to closely evaluate each plan to find the right match for your goals, financial situation, and total wellbeing. When you review your choices objectively, you become a more responsible steward of your benefit dollars. To ensure that you have the best decision support available, we are launching ALEX. ALEX is an engaging new online tool that will help you make your WGU medical plan choice using just a few key inputs you provide based on your situation.
There is much to consider during Open Enrollment for 2025, so please read on to learn more about your enhanced options and tools for 2025. Then make time to carefully evaluate all WGU benefit plans to determine the best elections for you.
Bonnie Pattee
Senior Vice President, People & Talent
Review this page to find out what’s new and what’s changing so you can make the best decisions for 2025 Open Enrollment. Then, complete your 2025 benefits elections during the enrollment period October 25 – November 8, 2024.
Eligibility
Review eligibility details for you and your dependents.
How to Enroll
Enrolling is easy! Find out how.
Decision Support
These tools and resources will help you make informed decisions about your benefits.
Every year, we closely review our benefits to deliver you plans that encompass health and wellbeing, financial protection, and more. This year, we’re moving beyond one-size-fits-most benefit options and elevating the game, because to WGU, our fiscal responsibility means more than just checking bottom line boxes. It extends to modernizing your healthcare so you can drive your wellbeing decisions with more choices, better information, and greater transparency. Review the chart below for a high-level overview of what’s new for 2025. Remember, if a category isn’t listed, there are no changes.
| What’s Changing for 2025 | |
| Medical Plans | WGU’s High Deductible Health Plan will transition from Cigna to UnitedHealthcare. The HDHP pairs low-premium, high-deductible coverage with a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) that helps you save money and plan for future medical expenses. This combination gives you more control over your money, and rewards you for making healthy, cost-conscious choices. WGU’s Low Deductible Health Plan will be replaced by the Informed Choice Health plan, or ICHP. This plan uses the same network of providers as the HDHP, and is one to consider if you like pricing transparency and choice:
Our medical plan enhancements from this year will carry into 2025, too. The increased number of dietician visits as well as acupuncture will continue to be covered. Your options for virtual visits are expanding. As MDLive phases out in 2025, you will have access to UHC’s network of 24/7 Virtual Visit providers, including Dr. On Demand, Teledoc, and Amwell. You will schedule virtual visits through your plan’s app. |
| Wellbeing Incentive moving to Lifestyle Savings Account (LSA) | As the LDHP is replaced with the new ICHP, the approach to wellbeing incentives will also change. Those who enroll in the ICHP will automatically be set up with a Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA). The LSA program, powered by ThrivePass, will provide benefits to employees for completing wellbeing activities. You will be able to earn $150 for each qualifying activity, up to a maximum of $750, with plenty of options for using them. While funds are not tax free, services for physical fitness, spa, healthy eating, athletic gear, and more are included in ThrivePass. If you qualified for the 2025 wellbeing incentive and were in the LDHP plan, you will get $750 by February 2025 deposited into your Lifestyle Spending Account. This deposit will be in addition to any incentive you earn during 2025. |
| Prescription coverage by CVS Caremark | All your pharmacy benefits will be available via CVS Caremark. You will have expanded options to receive pharmacy benefits through Costco, CVS, Kroger (Smith’s), Sav-On, and Walgreens, among others. Your medications can be delivered to your home via the CVS Caremark mail order program, too. Most pharmacy benefits will be enhanced or stay the same, backed by CVS Caremark’s commitment to cost transparency and implementing formulary strategies that drive down prices. |
| ALEX |
When it comes to making decisions, WGU understands the value of expert advice. ALEX is a new decision support tool that helps you make benefit decisions and learn more about WGU’s offerings. |
| 2ndMD | 2ndMD connects you with board-certified, leading doctors across the country for an expert second opinion via video or phone on an array of procedures. |
| Spring Health | Spring Health’s offerings are expanding in 2025:
|
| Carrot | Starting in 2025, all pregnancy support will be provided through Carrot. This includes pregnancy and labor/birth support, postpartum support (up to 6 weeks), and bereavement support related to pregnancy or infant loss, as well as Doula support services. |
| Telehealth Enhancements | As MDLive phases out in 2025, you will have access to UHC's network of 24/7 Virtual Visit providers, including Dr. On Demand, Teledoc, and Amwell. You will schedule virtual visits through your plan's app. |
| Employee Contributions | There will be a modest increase in your payroll deductions for medical coverage on the HDHP plan. Depending on your coverage election, your payroll deductions will increase between $2 and $11 per paycheck. If you participated in Cigna’s LDHP plan last year, you’ll see lower costs on the ICHP plan next year. All other premiums paid via payroll such as dental and vision deductions will remain the same. |
| Health Savings Account (HSA) | The annual HSA contribution limits released by the IRS will increase from $4,150 to $4,300 for employee-only coverage and from $8,300 to $8,550 for family coverage. |
| Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) | The IRS has not yet released the healthcare FSA limit for 2025. It is currently $3,200 for 2024. If you elect the maximum FSA amount, your contributions will be updated to the new maximum when released. When making your 2025 elections, remember that any remaining balance of $610 or less will be carried over to the next year. You will lose any funds in excess of $610. You will have until March 31, 2026, to submit healthcare claims for eligible expenses incurred during 2025. |
2025 Employee Contributions for Medical Coverage
| Plan/Tier | Employee Cost Per Paycheck (Biweekly Rates) |
|---|---|
| HDHP | |
| Employee Only | $37.99 |
| Employee + 1 | $111.52 |
| Employee + Family | $186.10 |
| HDHP enrollees can quality for the HSA contribution from WGU | |
| WGU HSA Match | Employee Only: $38.46 per paycheck ($1,000/yr max) Employee + 1 or Family: $76.92 per paycheck ($2,000/yr max) |
| WGU HSA Wellbeing Contribution | $750 Annual |
| ICHP | |
| Employee Only | $53.08 |
| Employee + 1 | $161.54 |
| Employee + Family | $242.31 |
| WGU LSA Wellbeing Contribution | $750 Annual |
Not Making Any Changes to Your Benefits?
If you don’t enroll, your current benefits elections will continue next year with this year’s plan choices.
The UnitedHealthcare High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) will have the same coverage as the Cigna HDHP.
The ICHP with Surest will replace the Cigna Low Deductible Health Plan (LDHP) and will include automatic enrollment in the Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA).
Have an FSA? You must take action during Open Enrollment if you want to contribute to an FSA in 2025.
Who Can Enroll in WGU Benefits?
WGU employees in regular positions classified to typically work 30 or more hours per week are eligible to enroll in WGU’s benefits program. Positions classified for fewer than 30 hours per week are generally not eligible for medical, dental and WGU-paid life and disability benefits. If your position is classified as part-time, temporary, intern or intermittent, other eligibility rules may apply for purposes of vacation, sick and holiday eligibility. You may also cover your eligible dependents under WGU’s medical, Health Savings Account (HSA), prescription, dental, vision and life benefits.
| FT Employees in Regular Positions Classified to Work 30+ Hours per Week | PT Employees in Regular Positions Classified to Work Less Than 30 Hours per Week |
| Medical, Telehealth, Dental, Vision and Pharmacy | Vision |
| Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) | Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) |
| Supplemental Benefits (Accidental Injury, Critical Illness and Hospital Care Insurance) | Supplemental Benefits (Accidental Injury, Critical Illness and Hospital Care Insurance) |
| WGU-Paid Life and Disability Benefits (STD and LTD) | Voluntary Life and AD&D |
| LegalShield and IDShield | LegalShield and IDShield |
| Discounted WGU Tuition | Discounted WGU Tuition |
| Retirement Savings Plan | Retirement Savings Plan |
| Paid Holidays and Flexible Time Off | Paid Holidays and Sick Time (prorated) |
| PerkSpot (Discount Program) | PerkSpot (Discount Program) |
| Wellbeing Programs, including Mental Healthcare | Wellbeing Programs, including Mental Healthcare |
| Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) | |
| Paid Parental Leave and Family Planning |
| FT Employees in Regular Positions Classified to Work 30+ Hours per Week | PT Employees in Regular Positions Classified to Work Less Than 30 Hours per Week |
| Medical and HSA (if hired to work full-time 30+ hours) | |
| Retirement Savings Plan (eligible to receive WGU contributions after 1,000 hours worked during first year of employment) | Retirement Savings Plan (eligible to receive WGU contributions after 1,000 hours worked during first year of employment) |
| PerkSpot (Discount Program) | PerkSpot (Discount Program) |
| Paid Holidays, and Sick Time | Paid Holidays and Sick Time (prorated) |
| Discounted WGU Tuition | Discounted WGU Tuition |
| Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health | Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health |
| WGU Wellbeing | WGU Wellbeing |
Note: Special medical plan eligibility is extended to employees otherwise ineligible for WGU medical coverage, if their 12-month average of actual hours worked exceeds 30 per week.
Who Is an Eligible Dependent?
Your eligible dependents Include:
- Spouse or domestic partner (any gender)
- Your child(ren) and your covered spouse’s or domestic partner’s child(ren) up to age 26 (end of their birthday month)
- Disabled child(ren) who became disabled on or before age 26
Domestic Partner Eligibility
- Registered domestic partner as well as children of your domestic partner
OR
- You maintain the same principal place of residence and intend to do so in the future
- You agree to be responsible for each other’s basic living expenses in the event that either of you is unable to provide such expenses for themselves
- You are both 18 or older
- Neither of you is married
- You are not related by blood to such a degree that you would be prevented from marrying in the state in which you reside
- Neither of you has maintained coverage for another domestic partner under any health plan within the last six months (this excludes any domestic partner who has died within the last six months)
You agree to notify WGU immediately upon your failure to satisfy any of the criteria of domestic partnership
Dependents not eligible for coverage under WGU benefits include grandchildren, parents, cousins, friends, roommates, neighbors and fiancés (unless a domestic partner). WGU implemented a process to verify the eligibility of all dependents (spouses/partners or children) on WGU health coverage. This process lowers compliance risk, preserves enrollment accuracy and helps control claims costs and premium increases. Employees covering dependents will be asked to provide documentation to verify each covered dependent’s eligibility. If you believe you may be covering an ineligible dependent and need to discuss options, visit the WGU People Center to submit a request for additional assistance.
After reviewing your benefits options, make your enrollment selections during WGU’s annual Open Enrollment.
Enrolling Is Easy!
Visit Workday. Enroll online at your convenience, any time of day or night between October 25 – November 8, 2024. Workday will guide you through the benefits enrollment process every step of the way.
Log In
On the Workday homepage, look for a task in your Workday inbox, which is located in the upper right-hand corner. One of the pending tasks is to enroll in your benefits. When you click this task, you will follow the on-screen instructions to make your benefits elections.
Make Your Elections
You’ll use Workday to enroll in your benefits each Open Enrollment.
Review Your Benefits and Program Offerings
During Open Enrollment, you’ll receive a task in Workday to enroll in your benefits for the upcoming year. Be sure to review the 2025 Open Enrollment What’s New Brochure for more details about our benefits for the upcoming year, so you can determine which plans best fit your needs. You can also learn more about who in your family is eligible to be covered by our plans.
Ready to Enroll?
Enroll in the following benefits via Workday
- Medical
- Accidental Injury Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Hospital Care Coverage
- Dental
- Vision
- Health Savings Account
- Health Care Flexible Spending Account
- Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Legal Assistance
- Identity Protection
Important Reminders!
- Certain information about your dependents may be required to enroll or requested from you after enrollment is completed. You will be notified if any information is required for coverage you elect for eligible family members.
- Make sure you’ve provided beneficiary information for your life insurance.
Note: After Open Enrollment ends, you cannot change your benefits elections unless you experience a qualifying life event, such as getting married, having a baby or adopting a child.
Choosing the right plans is important for both your health and your financial wellbeing. You can find everything you need to know about selecting your benefits for the new year on the current platform. If you need additional support, the resources below will help you understand your options and select the ones that provide the right coverage and value for you and your family.
NEW! ALEX – Your Decision Support Tool for Medical Plans
Starting this Open Enrollment, access ALEX, a tool to help you learn more about your medical benefits and decide what medical plan to enroll in. Once you complete your profile and answer questions about your coverage needs, ALEX will recommend a WGU plan for you. You can also use ALEX to learn about our new benefit offerings for 2025. Visit start.myalex.com/wgu to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions – 2025 Open Enrollment
Where can I learn more about the ICHP plan?
Check out a preview of Surest here.
How can I find out if my current doctor in-network?
Both the HDHP and ICHP use a national network called Choice Plus. Specifically in Utah, the network is called Options PPO.
What if I’m being treated for a health issue by a health care professional who isn’t in the Choice Plus or Options PPO Network?
If you are receiving treatment from an out-of-network healthcare professional, with both the HDHP and ICHP, there is a process to request extended coverage for 2025 for certain conditions. Contact the benefits team through the WGU People Center.
When will I get my new medical ID cards?
You will be receiving new medical ID cards that you will use for medical and prescription services. You will receive one member ID card for each member enrolled. Watch for those ID cards to arrive in December 2024 if you enroll in a WGU medical plan. Your digital ID cards are also available online.
Am I required to have a primary care physician (PCP) in order to have a 24/7 Virtual Visit?
No. You don’t need a PCP or even a referral to use a 24/7 Virtual Visit.
What happens once I reach the 24/7 Virtual Visit provider group’s website?
The first time you use a 24/7 Virtual Visit provider you will set up an account with that provider group. This includes sharing some medical history information, pharmacy preference and insurance information.
Will dental plans be changing in 2025?
No changes will be made to the dental plans. Both the DPPO and the DHMO will remain with Cigna.
Will I get new dental ID cards?
You can download your digital ID card to your phone through myCigna.com and the myCigna app.
Will I get new vision ID cards?
Under WGU’s vision plan through EyeMed, you don’t need an ID card as long as you use an in-network provider. Your provider will be able to locate your coverage record by your name and other details. If you would like a printed vision plan ID card, you can still request one through eyemed.com/member.
Will I get a prescription drug card?
You will use your medical ID card for prescription services.
I completed all the requirements for the wellbeing incentive. What does that mean for 2025?
Congratulations! If you qualified for the 2025 wellbeing incentive and were in the LDHP plan, you will get $750 by February 2025 deposited into your Lifestyle Spending Account. This deposit will be in addition to any incentive you earn during 2025.
What kinds of expenses are covered by the LSA?
Eligible expenses related to wellbeing, fitness, mental health, and more are covered. For the complete list,
Why would I want an LSA?
The LSA allows you to earn money by completing wellbeing activities. You can receive $150 per activity up to a maximum of $750 per year. Participating in the LSA means you’re getting paid just for making healthy choices!
- 2025 Open Enrollment What’s New Brochure: Read highlights of what’s changing for 2025, along with key dates and actions to take during Open Enrollment. This brochure will be mailed to your primary address listed in Workday in late-October. If you moved during 2024, you can check your primary address by viewing your profile in Workday.
- ALEX: ALEX, your decision support tool, can help you learn more about your benefits and decide what medical plan to enroll in. Once you complete your profile and answer questions about your coverage needs, ALEX will recommend a WGU plan for you. Access this exciting new program to ensure you’re making the most of your WGU benefits!
- WGU Benefits Open Enrollment Presentations: WGU will be hosting live (and recorded) 2025 Open Enrollment presentations that will highlight all WGU benefits and changes to look for in the upcoming year. Following each live presentation, there will be a live Q&A to help answer any questions you may have. Keep an eye on the WGU IntraNest and your WGU email for dates and times.
Your enrollment checklist
Use this checklist to make the most of your Open Enrollment opportunity:
- Access WGU benefits information and Workday resources on the current site, or visit the WGU People Center to submit a request for additional assistance.
- Compare medical plan options. Access ALEX, your decision support tool, to help you learn more about your benefits and decide what medical plan to enroll in.
- Enroll in benefits. Elect the coverage that best supports you and your family. Consider any options your family members may have access to before electing to cover them on WGU’s plans.
- Make sure your information in Workday is accurate, including your home address and dependent information.
- Ensure plan beneficiaries are current in Workday for life insurance, in your retirement account with Transamerica, and within your HealthEquity HSA account.
- Complete your benefits elections in Workday during the enrollment period — October 25 – November 8, 2024. Remember to print and save a copy of your enrollment confirmation within Workday.
TIP: Think about the whole cost.
When choosing a medical plan, it’s important to think about the whole cost of coverage — the amount you’ll spend out of your paycheck, as well as out of your pocket (copays, deductibles and coinsurance).
TIP: Review Your Benefits Even If You’re Not Making Changes
Even if you don’t plan to make any changes during Open Enrollment, it’s always a good idea to double-check your elections to ensure that your current coverage still fits the needs of you and your family for the year ahead.