2026 Benefits Changes
Johns Hopkins Health System (JHHS) open enrollment for 2026 benefits ended on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. Any changes you made during open enrollment will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
If you didn’t do anything during open enrollment, your current benefits will continue in 2026, except flexible spending accounts (FSA). If you wanted a health care or dependent care FSA for 2026, you needed to enroll in one during open enrollment. FSAs don’t carry over year to year.
Employees who were hired or newly eligible for benefits Oct. 15 – Nov. 30, 2025
The benefits plan year is Jan. 1 – Dec. 31. If you’re hired or newly eligible for benefits between Oct. 15 and Nov. 30, you must actively enroll in benefits or waive coverage for the rest of the 2025 and then actively enroll in benefits for 2026.
If you don’t enroll in or waive coverage for 2025, you won’t be able to enroll in coverage for 2026 either. You’ll have to wait until the next open enrollment period, unless you have a qualifying life event.
Submit supporting documentation for dependents by Nov. 30
- Currently cover dependents and will continue to cover them in 2026.
- Enrolled dependents in 2026 coverage during open enrollment.
If you receive this request, you must provide the documentation by Sunday, Nov. 30. If you don’t, your dependents won’t have coverage in 2026.
Visit SmartSource to see if you have a task on your to-do list and submit documentation.
Save Your Confirmation Statement
You’ll need a copy of your confirmation statement if you have questions about your 2026 elections later.
To view your statement:
- Log into SmartSource using your work credentials.
- Select Go to enter the Benefits Marketplace.
- Select Current Benefits under the Benefits dropdown on the left.
- Choose download, email or print and save the statement for your records.
Questions
Contact the HR Support Center at 443-997-5400 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, or hrsc@jhmi.edu .
Llame El Centro De Asistencia de Recursos Humanos al 443-997-5400, opción 9 de 7 a.m. a 5 p.m., de lunes a viernes, o mande un correo electrónico a hrsc@jhmi.edu .
Ver myBenefits En Español
Toda la información de sus beneficios están disponible en esta página de mybenefits, disponible en cualquier dispositivo. Para ver myBenefits en español, seleccione Spanish en el menú desplegable Choose Language.
Visite Recursos En Español para más información sobre los beneficios en español.
What’s Changing in 2026
Employee Contribution Increases
Our benefits package remains strong, provides choices to meet your needs and is as affordable as possible. Recent reports highlight the growing cost of health benefits across the nation.
At Johns Hopkins, our focus is on keeping cost increases below the national average. While there are moderate increases to medical, dental and vision plans, we will continue to provide you access to high-quality coverage and resources that support your health, well-being and peace of mind.
Deductible & Out-Of-Pocket Maximum Increases
The deductible is the amount you pay before the plan starts to pay. The out-of-pocket maximum is the most you’ll pay for covered expenses each plan year.
The deductible and out-of-pocket maximum for the Johns Hopkins Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) medical plan will increase for employees with a salary of $50,000 or more. View the updated amounts in the medical comparison chart.
EHP will mail new ID cards with the updated deductible and out-of-pocket maximum amounts.
FSA Contribution & Carryover Limits
Health care FSA
- You can contribute up to $3,300 in 2026 and carry over up to $660 from 2025.
- You have until March 31, 2026, to use the remaining funds in your 2025 FSA for claims incurred in 2025. Any funds over the $660 carryover limit will be forfeited.
Dependent care FSA
- In 2026, you can contribute up to:
- $7,500 if you’re single or married and file jointly.
- $3,750 if you’re married and file separately.
- You have until March 31, 2026, to use the remaining funds in your 2025 FSA for claims incurred in 2025. You can’t carry over unused funds.