Open Enrollment ends on Friday, May 29.  The Human Resources Office will be closing on Friday, May 29 at 12:00 p.m. due to the Modified Summer Schedule. 

The 2026 Spotlight on Your Benefits will be emailed to your JMU email addresses. Please be sure to read the Spotlight thoroughly as this year features additional health programs to your existing health insurance coverage. You may also access Open Enrollment information through the  Department of Human Resource Management web page.

Enroll in Health Benefits Online with Cardinal Employee Self Service! 

The Cardinal Human Capital Management System (HCM) has an Employee Self Service feature, allowing you to make changes to your health benefits and FSA online.

• Login to Cardinal (you can find your Cardinal ID on the Employee tab in MyMadison)
• Click on Cardinal Human Capital Management (HCM)
• Select Benefits Details
• Select Benefits Enrollment and follow the instructions (available May 15-29)
• In Cardinal Employee Self Service, you may review your current health benefits record, update your personal information, and enroll or make changes to your health plan and/or membership. You may also enroll in one or both FSAs. Enroll online beginning May 15 but no later than May 29 at 11:59 p.m.

If you do not have online access, then complete the fillable Enrollment Form for Employees, and return to the JMU Benefits Team, second floor of the Wine-Price Building, no later than the close of business on May 29. The fillable health coverage form may also be sent through campus mail to MSC 7009, by fax to 540-568-7916, or by email to benefits@jmu.edu.  

Ask ALEX for Advice
Evaluate and compare health plan options with ALEX, your online benefits counselor! ALEX will use your input to let you know how the different health insurance plans work for you. Visit ALEX Benefits Counselor (myalex.com).

Earn Premium Rewards to Reduce Your Monthly Premiums!*
Premium rewards are reductions in health plan premiums for participants in the COVA Care and COVA HealthAware plans who complete a health assessment and have an annual preventive visit, well-adult or well-woman exam in the designated time period.  A step-by-step guide is provided to assist in completing your health assessment.An employee and/or their enrolled spouse can reduce the premium by $204 annually ($17/month) or $408 annually ($34/month) for both employee and enrolled spouse if they fulfill the requirements to earn a premium reward. 

1. Visit your plan’s website or mobile app to access your health assessment. Complete or update your health assessment between May 1 and May 31.  Health assessments submitted before May 1 will not count for the new plan year!  Please keep a copy of your confirmation.
2. New Requirement - Wellness Exam: Have an annual preventative visit, well-adult or well-woman exam completed, processed and paid, between January 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026. The annual preventive visit, well-adult or well-woman exam must have been completed under the COVA Care and COVA HealthAware plans. The health plan administrators will send notification of this information. There is no information that you need to provide; however, keep a copy of your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) which shows that your claim has been processed and paid.

*The university reduces the amount of your health insurance premium by the premium reward amount.

Flexible Spending Accounts
As a reminder you must re-enroll each year to continue participating in flexible spending accounts. The maximum Health FSA contribution is up to $3,400/plan year. The maximum Dependent Care FSA is up to $7,500/plan year, depending on your tax filing status.

Lunch & Learns

The Benefits Team will be leading Lunch & Learns during Open Enrollment. Attend a webinar to learn more about the changes to Health Insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts for the upcoming plan year. 

• Monday, May 18 at 12:00 p.m. Sign up!
• Wednesday, May 20 at 12:00 p.m. Sign up!
• Tuesday, May 26 at 12:00 p.m. Sign up!

Aflac
Michael Glover, JMU's Aflac representative, will be available during open enrollment.  You may call him at 540-997-3201 or email him directly at michael_glover@us.aflac.com.

For more information, please view Aflac's website.

Pierce
Pierce Insurance, the broker for Cancer Advocate Plus, Chubb LifeTime Benefit Term, pet insurance, legal and identity theft coverage, and home/auto insurance, is available by phone to assist with questions and enrolling at 800-421-3142. More information can also be found at https://pierceins.com/jmu/. 

Contact Human Resources at 540-568-3593 or email benefits@jmu.edu with any questions concerning Open Enrollment.