News & Announcements
2027 Open Enrollment
The 2027 open enrollment period will begin on Monday, November 2, 2026 and end on Friday, November 20,2026. Open Enrollment is the opportunity to make changes to your benefits. It’s the perfect time to reflect on how you used your coverage in 2026 and see if it makes sense for you to continue with (or change) your elections for the 2027 plan year.
Keep in mind that while you’re encouraged to review your benefit options, you’re not required to make any changes. If you take no action during open enrollment, your medical, dental, vision, life, and legal coverage elections will remain the same in 2027.
If you want to have a flexible spending account (FSA) or dependent care spending account (DCSA) in 2027, you must enroll during the open enrollment period. These accounts require an annual election, so if you want one in 2027, you must elect it during open enrollment, even if you had one in 2026.
What’s New in 2027?
Anchor Choice Plan with HSA Deductible Increase
Applies to All Employees
If you’re planning to enroll or continue in are the Anchor Choice Plan with Health Savings Account (HSA), there's an important change you need to know about. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has updated the rules for high-deductible health plans in 2027.
The 2027 deductibles are:
- $1,750 for employee-only coverage
- $3,500 for family coverage
However, the State has you covered! To keep Anchor Choice a great value, the State is increased the amount of its annual HSA contribution1 to match the new deductibles. That means your full annual deductible, whether you're an individual or a family, will still be covered.
Make Open Enrollment Work for You - Check Out the Virtual Benefits Fair
The virtual benefits fair—your one-stop website for benefits information—has a fresh look and updated resources to guide your benefit choices. Find presentations, new videos, and downloadable PDFs from the State’s benefit vendors, and so much more!
This year, we especially recommend reviewing the State’s two videos:
- Selecting Your Medical Plan – A quick overview of your medical plan options
- The Anchor Choice Plan with HSA: Is It Right for Me?
Don’t miss the videos from BCBSRI about the medical plan designs and CVS Caremark to learn more about the prescription drug coverage.
Review the BCBSRI 2027 brochure to make the most of your State of Rhode Island Anchor medical plan benefits. This guide outlines your three plan options and highlights resources that are available to you regardless of which plan you select.
Did you know that you can speak privately with a Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) representative to get assistance with your medical plan choice? During open enrollment you can schedule a virtual one-on-one session to review your options. Representatives are available Tuesdays and Thursday, November 2 – November 20, from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. If you are registered at bluecareconnectRI.com, you will receive an email with a link to schedule your private appointment.
You should also consider having a talk with ALEX, the State's online benefits decision support platform. ALEX will help you understand and make decisions about your health benefits.
Review the 2027 Employee Benefit Plans FAQs. It contains important information regarding Open Enrollment and making your benefit elections.
For the most complete information about your benefits, the OEB website has complete information on all benefit offerings for active employees.
During open enrollment, you can:
- Review your current benefit elections and determine if you want to continue with (or change) your elections for the 2027 plan year.
- Add or remove eligible dependents and upload supporting documentation*
- Waive medical coverage. If you waive medical coverage, you may be eligible to receive a medical waiver opt-out payment. If eligible, you must formally elect the waiver payment in ERP. Failure to select this option will result in loss of entitlement to the medical waiver opt-out payment.
- Enroll in a flexible spending account (FSA) or dependent care spending account (DCSA). These accounts require an annual election, so if you want one in 2027, you must elect it during open enrollment, even if you had one in 2026.
*If you add a spouse, domestic partner, or child to your coverage, you'll be required to provide documentation verifying eligibility. Please note that photographs of official documents cannot be accepted. Note: You must submit your documentation when making enrollment elections during the open enrollment period. If you do not provide documentation at the time of enrollment, your elections will not be processed.
REMEMBER: Enroll through ERP!
Open enrollment is conducted entirely on ERP, the online enrollment platform. The ERP platform is intuitive and user friendly, so you should find it easy to make your elections using the system. However, if you need support, please visit the ERP website for employee job aids and training materials. There is a job aid specifically for electing benefits during open enrollment.
At the end of your enrollment process, you’ll see an on-screen summary and will be able to review a printable 2027 Benefit Confirmation Statement in ERP. You can also find your 2027 benefit elections in your ERP task inbox by clicking “Archive” on the left side of the screen. Just confirm that the information reflects your choices and the correct elections for you and your dependents. Changes to your elections can be made in ERP until 11:59 p.m. on the last day of open enrollment (Nov. 20, 2026).
Please note: If you added a dependent, your elections may be pending approval while OEB reviews the supporting documentation you provided for your dependent.
If you are having issues logging into your ERP account, please submit a ticket for login assistance via the ERP Help Desk.
Other items to note
Designating a PCP
PCP coordination of care is no longer required for most State of Rhode Island employees. However, you are required to choose a PCP if you are a member of one of the following University of Rhode Island non-classified unions:
- Council 94 Local 2877A Maritime Professional Association
- Council 94 Local 2877 Professional Technical Administration Association - URI
- NEARI Physicians Association – URI
- NEARI Professional Staff Association – URI
If you want to change the current PCP assignment for yourself or your dependent(s), just call the BCBSRI State of Rhode Island Employee CARE Center at 401-429-2104 or 866-987-3705. CARE Center hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
NOTE: If you are adding coverage for yourself or a dependent for the first time, you will need to wait until you receive your BCBSRI ID card. Your ID card should arrive by mail to your home address by the end of December.
Will I get new ID cards for this year?
Your current BCBSRI medical ID card and CVS Caremark pharmacy ID card do not expire, so you can continue to use your current ID card(s) in 2027. However, if you change medical plans, add or remove a dependent, or are enrolled in the Anchor Choice plan, you will automatically receive a new BCBSRI card and CVS Caremark ID cards.
Please dispose of any older cards you may have and bring this new card with you when you receive care in the new year.
Your new ID card(s) should be mailed to your home address by the end of December.
2027 Medical/Rx Plan Comparison
Medical Plan Comparison Chart - Certain University of Rhode Island non-classified unions
2027 Health Plan Rates
Working Rates (100% full plan costs from which 15%, 20% and 25% co-shares are determined)
Working Rates - Certain University of Rhode Island non-classified unions
Co-Share Rates
Effective January 1, 2027
- 2027 Co-Shares - Classified & Unclassified 26 Pay Period Employees
- 2027 Co-Shares - Classified & Unclassified 20 Pay Period Employees
For RITA and State Police Command Staff
Non-classified union & non-union employees working in higher education should refer to their college/university website (URI, RIC, CCRI) for their co-share tables.
2027 COBRA Premiums
COBRA Premiums – Certain University of Rhode Island non-classified unions
Pre-65 Retiree Premiums
Life Insurance –
2027 Active Employees Life Insurance Rates
2026 Rates
2026 Health Plan Rates
Working Rates (100% full plan costs from which 15%, 20% and 25% co-shares are determined)
Working Rates - Certain University of Rhode Island non-classified unions
Co-Share Rates
Effective January 1, 2026
- 2026 Co-Shares - Classified & Unclassified 26 Pay Period Employees
- 2026 Co-Shares - Classified & Unclassified 20 Pay Period Employees
For RITA and State Police Command Staff
Non-classified union & non-union employees working in higher education should refer to their college/university website (URI, RIC, CCRI) for their co-share tables.
2026 COBRA Premiums
COBRA Premiums – Certain University of Rhode Island non-classified unions
Pre-65 Retiree Premiums
Life Insurance –
2026 Active Employees Life Insurance Rates
Legal –
The bi-weekly premium costs for 26-pay period employees are:
| 2026 | |
| Individual | $3.11 |
| Family* | $4.78 |
The bi-weekly premium costs for 20-pay period employees are:
| 2026 | |
| Individual | $4.04 |
| Family* | $6.21 |
* Covers employee, spouse, and dependents.
2026 Medical/Rx Plan Comparison
Medical Plan Comparison Chart - Certain University of Rhode Island non-classified unions
Pick Your Person!
The choice is yours. The benefits are theirs. How your benefits are distributed after your death is entirely up to you, but you have to make your elections. This fall, please review and confirm your current beneficiary designations to be sure your choices are still accurate and up to date. To find out more about reviewing and designating your beneficiaries, visit the Naming Your Beneficiaries page of the virtual benefits fair. Please note that the Office of Employee Benefits does not keep beneficiary information on file for employees; each separate plan maintains its own information.