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

T​​​​​​​he 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 in May. It is in every member’s best interest to analyze the available health plans and decide which plan(s) best meet their family’s health care needs, taking cost and coverage into account. You are not required to do anything if you wish to remain with your current plan. Increased health coverage costs start July 1.

The 2026 Hawaiʻi Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) open enrollment period begins May 1 and ends May 29.

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.

*Reminder: dependents up to age 26 no longer need to be full-time students to qualify for any plan, including dental and vision

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 them through the EUTF Member self-service portal, or complete and submit the EC-1 enrollment form or the 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 29, 2026 for changes to be effective July 1, 2026. 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 29, 2026. The EUTF will not contact you regarding outstanding supporting documents, and late submissions will not be accepted.

What’s new for 2026-2027

HMSA 90/10 plan will close to new subscribers July 1

One important plan change is the closure of the HMSA 90/10 plan to new subscribers, effective July 1, 2026. Enrollment will be limited to those enrolled on June 30, 2026, and if you disenroll, you will not be allowed to re-enroll in the HMSA 90/10 plan. Those enrolled as of June 30, 2026, may still add or remove dependents during OE or if you experience a qualifying event during the year.

Maximum out-of-pocket costs will be reduced on some plans

Effective July 1, 2026, the medical maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) under the EUTF HMSA 75/25 PPO plan will be reduced from $5,000/$10,000 (single/family) to $3,300/$6,600. The prescription drug MOOP under the EUTF CVS 80/20 PPO plan will also be reduced from $4,350/$8,700 to $3,150/$6,300. The MOOP is the most you will pay for covered services or products in a calendar year. If you’ve exceeded the new MOOP amount prior to July 1, 2026, you will not receive a refund.

Dependent children up to 25 are eligible for coverage, even if they aren’t students

Dependent children ages 19-25 are eligible to enroll in EUTF active 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 your child.

As a result of the advocacy of an Oʻahu teacher, EUTF no longer requires annual certification of full-time student status.

For information on other recent plan changes made, refer to the Reference Guide or the EUTF website.

Important dates

EUTF open enrollment video for HSTA members (recorded in May 2025)

Attend in-person, virtual open enrollment informational sessions

Active employees can attend in-person or virtual informational sessions to learn more about the EUTF open enrollment process. Representatives from EUTF, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, Verdegard, CVS, HDS, VSP, and Securian will be there to assist with benefits and open enrollment questions. Click here to see the full schedule of sessions happening in May. Pre-retirement workshops hosted by EUTF are listed as well.

Take the EUTF Employer Satisfaction Survey

The EUTF invites you to complete the Employer Service Satisfaction Survey link below. They appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve their services.