Health Benefits Open Enrollment Begins October 19

Dear UMBC Faculty and Staff,

Open Enrollment for State of Maryland health benefits begins Monday, October 19, and ends Friday, November 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. During this period, eligible employees may enroll in, cancel, or change their health benefits. All changes take effect January 1, 2027.

If you are keeping your current health benefits, no action is needed unless you want a healthcare or dependent daycare flexible spending account (FSA) in 2027. You must enroll in an FSA during Open Enrollment each year, even if you currently have one.

Prepare for Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment will take place online in SPS Workday. Before October 19, please log in to confirm you can access your account. Visit Accessing SPS Workday for instructions.

Review the Department of Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management (HRSTM) Open Enrollment website for the 2027 rates, State Benefits Guide, wellness information, and virtual and in-person information sessions with benefits vendors. Employees will also receive weekly Open Enrollment email alerts from the State of Maryland.

New for 2027: Contractual Employee Premium Deductions

Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible contractual employees’ health benefit premiums will be automatically deducted from their biweekly paychecks on a pre-tax basis. 

Adding New Dependents

If you are adding new dependents to your coverage, review the required dependent documentation. You must attach the required documents to your SPS Workday Open Enrollment event by Friday, November 13, at 5 p.m.

Join the October 28 Information Session

HRSTM will host a live, virtual Open Enrollment Information Session via Webex on Wednesday, October 28, at noon to review changes, updates, and reminders. A recording will be available on the HRSTM Open Enrollment website by November 3.

Confirm Your Mailing Address

To help ensure you receive communications from benefits vendors, please confirm that your home address is correct in PeopleSoft HR. Select the My WorkView tile on your homepage to access your personal information. If your address is incorrect and you need help updating it, please contact HRSTM.

For more information, visit the HRSTM Open Enrollment website or contact the Benefits and Wellness team at hrbenefits@umbc.edu.

HRSTM Benefits and Wellness Team