By SUSAN JONES
The bulk of Pitt staff will have the same health insurance coverage and rates in 2025-26 as they’ve had this year.
Open enrollment runs through May 14. Webinars will be held for each of the three different types of employee classifications (click on the dates to register — Pitt sign on required):
Union of Pitt Faculty bargaining unit members: 10 a.m. May 7
Non-represented employees or union-represented employees with a current contract: Noon, May 8
Staff represented by the USW or Building Trades Council: 1 p.m. May 6
For the roughly 6,300 staff represented by the United Steelworkers and the 70 people represented by the Building and Construction Trades Council, the overall cost of health insurance is going up but the monthly premiums paid by employees will remain the same.
For non-represented faculty and staff and those working under a current contract (such as the Union of Pitt Faculty and the several other staff unions on campus), the premiums for medical and dental are set to go up around 8% while the coverage is largely the same. Vision premiums remain the same.
Staff represented by the USW and the Building Trades Council are in a status quo period while their contracts are being negotiated. The Pitt Staff Union began negotiating its first collective bargaining agreement in December. Trades Council employees have been without a contract since last July.
Those unsure if they’re in the staff bargaining unit can check the latest list online. As a reminder, the list of who is included in the bargaining units for faculty and staff is determined by the union and the University. This is different from joining the union and paying dues. If you are part of the bargaining unit, then you are represented by the union, even if you don’t sign a union card and join.
“Open enrollment started today and we only have two weeks,” Linda Tashbook, a member of the Senate Benefits & Welfare committee, said at the group’s April 30 meeting. “I think that the benefits office did really a terrific interface this year. You can easily see what has changed, and get a feel for what’s available in terms of the benefits options.”
Rate increases for some
While premiums are going up for all those outside the two unions negotiating contracts, the difference is that for people in the faculty union bargaining unit, the co-pays, deductibles and prescription costs stay the same as last year.
Non-represented faculty and staff who are not in the staff union and Trades Council bargaining units will experience some plan design changes, including rate increases in the Panther Gold plan. The changes include:
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For the Panther Gold plan, the deductible is doubling from $150 for individuals and $300 for families to $300 and $600. The annual out-of-pocket maximum goes from $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families to $2,500 and $5,000. Co-pays also are increasing for some services: For a basic doctor’s office visit, the co-pay goes from $25 to $30, and for a specialist, from $50 to $60.
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The Panther PPO plan is largely the same, although the annual maximum out-of-pocket amount increases from $3,000 individual/$6,000 family to $4,500 and $9,000.
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The Panther Basic co-pays, deductible and annual max remain the same.
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Prescriptions also will cost slightly more. At retail outlets, preferred generics go from $16 to $20, while preferred brand medications will cost $50, up from $45 last year. Mail-order 90-day supplies (also available through Falk Clinic and the University Pharmacy) will increase from $32 to $40 for generics and $90 to $100 for brand names.
Another change this year is an increase in how much employees and their covered spouse/domestic partner can earn in reward dollars from $200/$400 to $300/$600. This applies to all Pitt employees who sign up for a UPMC health plan, regardless of their union status.
Reward dollars can be earned by completing healthy activities such as preventative care (wellness visits, vaccinations, etc.), completing the annual MyHealth Questionnaire, and participating in biometric screenings. The money is deposited into a Health Incentive Account that can be used to offset medical expenses. Find more information at: hr.pitt.edu/incentives.
Enroll via Pitt Worx
Open enrollment takes place in Pitt Worx, the University's human resources and payroll system.
If you do not wish to make changes to your benefits elections, no action is necessary. However, the Office of Human Resources encourages everyone to make sure that their dependents and elections are accurate and up-to-date.
On the open enrollment website — openenroll.hr.pitt.edu — you can select your employment status category to review your 2025-26 plan options, rates, documents and enrollment instructions. Enrollment information also can be found on the Pitt Worx Hub.
If you are adding dependents that were not previously covered, you must add them in "Before You Enroll" and upload their required documentation in Document Records prior to making your benefits elections. For instructions on how to complete these actions in Pitt Worx, please visit the Pitt Worx Hub.
Open enrollment is the only time that you can make changes to your benefits elections unless you experience a life event (qualified status change), such as a marriage, divorce, birth or adoption. You also can sign up for MetLife Legal or MetLife Supplemental Medical Plans during open enrollment.
For questions regarding open enrollment or benefits at Pitt, contact the Benefits Department by submitting an online request or by calling 833-852-2210. Benefit representatives are available 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
Susan Jones is editor of the University Times. Reach her at suejones@pitt.edu or 724-244-4042.
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