What you need to know about health coverage (EUTF) open enrollment

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association suggests members take some time to carefully assess their current health plan enrollment(s) and the health plans available during open enrollment this month. It is in every member’s best interest to analyze the health plans available and decide which plan(s) best meet their family’s health care needs, taking cost and coverage into consideration. You are not required to do anything if you wish to remain with your current plan. Increased health coverage costs start July 1.

The 2025 Hawaiʻi Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) open enrollment period begins May 1 and ends May 30.

During the open enrollment period, you may:

• Add a plan, change from one plan to another, or drop a plan.
• Add an eligible dependent or remove a dependent.
• Change coverage tiers, such as changing from self to family or family to two-party.

If you decide to keep your current plans, you don’t need to take action. You are not required to complete any forms to continue your current coverage.

If you are making changes, submit changes through the EUTF Member self-service portal or complete and submit the EC-1 enrollment form, or EC-1H for those enrolled in HSTA VB plans. Submit your completed form and supporting documents to your employer’s open enrollment designee by May 30, 2025 for changes to be effective July 1, 2025. Please do not submit changes through both the Member self-service portal AND hard copy EC-1/EC-1H form.

Please note: Required supporting documents must be submitted by May 30, 2025. The EUTF will not contact you regarding outstanding supporting documents, and late submissions will not be accepted.

What’s new for 2025-2026

Effective July 1, 2025, dependent children ages 19-25 will be eligible to enroll in EUTF dental and vision coverage through age 25, regardless of student or marital status, and they do not need to live with the employee. Open Enrollment is your opportunity to enroll or re-enroll your child.

HSTA negotiates increases in employer health plan contributions

The Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association is pleased to announce a successful settlement in reopener negotiations that will result in the employer contributing millions more for health premiums under the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF).

This settlement will be added as a supplemental agreement, amending the final two years of the 2023–2027 HSTA contract.

Previously, employer contributions for health premiums were capped at 2024–2025 rates through 2026–2027. Employees would have fully absorbed any premium increases beyond that. For example, the HMSA PPO 80/20 Plan premiums are set to increase monthly as follows: Self +$49, Two-party +$119.02, Family +$150.80.

Under the new agreement, the employer will continue using the same contribution formula, covering 60% of the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 monthly premiums for the HMSA 80/20 PPO Plan, with a 90% cap on premium contributions. This adjustment will result in an additional $7.5 million in employer contributions each year for the next two years.

WATCH: HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. and HSTA Deputy Executive Director Andrea Eshelman detail the successful settlement with EUTF.

Important dates

EUTF open enrollment video for HSTA members

Attend an open enrollment informational session

The EUTF will host in-person informational sessions for open enrollment from May 2 to May 16. The sessions are approximately one and a half hours long. The EUTF will also host webinar informational sessions from May 1 to May 23. On the day of the informational webinar session, employees should click here and click on “Active Employee Open Enrollment Fair.” Employees will be able to view on-demand video presentations from EUTF the insurance carriers, and attend an EUTF live webinar. For the best experience, use an up-to-date version of Google Chrome (preferred) or Safari from a desktop/laptop.