What You Need to Know
Open Enrollment for the USA Choice Plan, USA Select Plan, and the USA Consumer Plan (HDHP), along with SouthFlex begins on Monday October 13, 2025.
Online Benefits Enrollment: Employees are required to login to Employee Navigator to view benefit elections, make changes to health insurance enrollment, enroll in new coverage, add or remove dependents, enroll in SouthFlex for plan year 2026, add VSP vision coverage, add life insurance beneficiaries, enroll in Aflac policies and much more!
Please visit Employee Navigator to login!
All employees are required to register as a user in Employee Navigator to confirm benefit elections, verify dependent demographics, and make beneficiary designations for life insurance. If this is your first time to use Employee Navigator, you must register as a User first.
Need assistance? Call 1-800-273-0873 to speak with a Benefit Navigator or schedule an individual appointment by scanning the QR code.
Open Enrollment elections in Employee Navigator must be made no later than 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025.
Employees should have received the 2026 Open Enrollment/Announcement and the 2026 Employee Benefits Open Enrollment Guide at their University issued email address which provides detailed information about benefit updates, and other items of interest. For new enrollments effective January 1, 2026, premiums will be deducted from bi-weekly paid employees in the month of December since premiums are paid one month in advance.
The deadline for submitting changes and enrollments in Employee Navigator is 5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025. All changes and elections will become effective on January 1, 2026.
Contact Human Resources at (251) 460-6133, or USA Health HR at (251) 415-1604, if you have any questions.
Regular employees working 20 hours or more per week (.50 FTE or greater), are eligible for health/dental insurance, VSP vision insurance, Group Term Life, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability (USA Health only) and AFLAC.
Effective January 1, 2026, in the USA Choice and USA Select Plans, the out-of-pocket maximum will increase by $500 for single coverage and $1,000 for family coverage.
USA Health Network Providers
There will be changes in the classification of certain providers that have been considered
in-network for purposes of coverage in the USA health plans. Most providers who are
not employed by USA Health will be classified as BCBS Alabama PPO providers. Copays
and other out-of-pocket expenses are based on the provider network where the provider
is assigned. In calendar year 2026, copays and other out-of-pocket expenses may be
different than what a patient paid in previous years due to the reclassification.
More details related to copays and out-of-pocket expenses for each provider networks
are available in the Plan Matrix for each plan, at SouthAlabama.edu/jagsopenenrollment.
To search for USA Health providers, please visit: usahealthsystem.com. To search for
BCBS of Alabama PPO providers, please use the Find a Doctor link at bcbsal.org.
The University will continue to offer all benefits-eligible employees the opportunity to purchase voluntary insurance coverage with AFLAC. Available plans include: Group Accident Insurance, Group Critical Illness Insurance, Group Hospital Indemnity Insurance and Group Life Term to 120 Insurance. For more information please visit https://www.aflacenrollment.com/UniversityofSouthAlabama/17873612505513
Your USA Fringe Benefits Committee (FBC) recommended an employee premium increase of $10 per month for single coverage and $30 per month for family coverage for employees enrolled in the USA Choice Plan or the USA Select Plan for the 2026 plan year. Rates will remain the same for employees enrolled in the USA Consumer Plan (HDHP) for 2026. Premiums listed below include the $50 per month non-tobacco use wellness incentive.
USA Choice Plan - Base premiums:
Single coverage : $147
Family coverage : $484
USA Choice Plan - Standard premiums:
Single coverage : $167
Family coverage : $548
USA Select Plan premiums:
Single coverage : $113
Family Coverage : $369
USA Consumer (HDHP) Plan premiums:
Single coverage : $50
Family Coverage : $250
Employer HSA Funding:
Single coverage : $200
Family Coverage : $400
USA Consumer Plan (HDHP) with HSA
The USA Consumer Plan (HDHP) offers flexibility and control over healthcare spending. You will have the option to enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA) for additional tax savings and a Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LPFSA) for dental and vision expenses. Choosing a healthcare plan that is best for your family should be based on your specific health needs, financial situation, and personal preferences. The USA Consumer Plan (HDHP) may be a better option if you are looking to lower your monthly premium costs. However, it is essential to weigh the potential savings on premiums against the higher deductible and out-of-pocket expenses you may incur.
The USA Consumer Plan (HDHP) will have a lower monthly premium when compared to the USA Choice and USA Select Plans. The lower monthly premium may be a compelling factor for those who typically use less medical care during the year. However, when you do need medical care, you must meet a higher deductible than the one typically associated with the USA Choice and Select Plans. It is also important to note that the USA Consumer Plan (HDHP) will have one overall deductible that will apply to medical and pharmacy services.
Benefits are received within a network of Blue Cross Blue Shield providers or within the USA Health network of hospitals, physicians, outpatient clinics and other providers affiliated with the University of South Alabama. By using a USA Health provider, the member receives medical care at a lower cost to both the Plan and the member. Visit the USA Choice Plan page for more information.
USA Health Network Providers
There will be changes in the classification of certain providers that have been considered
in-network for purposes of coverage in the USA health plans. Most providers who are
not employed by USA Health will be classified as BCBS Alabama PPO providers. Copays
and other out-of-pocket expenses are based on the provider network where the provider
is assigned. In calendar year 2026, copays and other out-of-pocket expenses may be
different than what a patient paid in previous years due to the reclassification.
More details related to copays and out-of-pocket expenses for each provider networks
are available in the Plan Matrix for each plan, at SouthAlabama.edu/jagsopenenrollment.
To search for USA Health providers, please visit: usahealthsystem.com. To search for
BCBS of Alabama PPO providers, please use the Find a Doctor link at bcbsal.org.
The University of South Alabama offers benefits-eligible employees the opportunity to participate in an alternate plan, the USA Select Plan, with claims administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. The USA Select Plan will offer value to employees and their dependents with a low-cost benefit plan that provides access to medical providers within the USA Health network but also provides the option of accessing the BCBS PPO network. Visit the USA Select Plan page for more information.
The USA Select Plan will have an increase in premiums for the 2026 plan year.
Single coverage : $113
Family Coverage : $369
USA Health Network Providers
There will be changes in the classification of certain providers that have been considered
in-network for purposes of coverage in the USA health plans. Most providers who are
not employed by USA Health will be classified as BCBS Alabama PPO providers. Copays
and other out-of-pocket expenses are based on the provider network where the provider
is assigned. In calendar year 2026, copays and other out-of-pocket expenses may be
different than what a patient paid in previous years due to the reclassification.
More details related to copays and out-of-pocket expenses for each provider networks
are available in the Plan Matrix for each plan, at SouthAlabama.edu/jagsopenenrollment.
To search for USA Health providers, please visit: usahealthsystem.com. To search for
BCBS of Alabama PPO providers, please use the Find a Doctor link at bcbsal.org.
It's easy to compare your health plans!
Our convenient tool helps you compare the details from two health plans so you can
see the benefits and savings from an HSA qualified plan versus traditional health
plans. The plan comparison tool offers personalized insight into your benefits and
provides useful data so you can make informed decisions regarding your health plan
selection.
We do all the math!
Simply enter your plan details and estimate your annual medical expenses. We'll show
you side-by-side how the plans compare and show you tax saving opportunities. You
can download your personalized results to reference.
South Flex Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for SouthFlex will be held from Monday, October 13, 2025, through Friday October 24, 2025.
Current participants must re-enroll during open enrollment in order to participate in the 2026 plan year.
SouthFlex, a flexible spending accounts plan (FSA), is designed to increase your disposable income by reducing the amount of taxes you pay. The program allows the use of pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent/childcare expenses and eligible health care expenses, including dental expenses, which are not reimbursed by the USA Choice Plan or USA Select Plan.
Enrollment in SouthFlex will allow you to be reimbursed for copays and deductibles on a pre-tax basis. Over-the-counter drugs and medicines can also be purchased or reimbursed through a health flexible spending account without a doctor’s prescription. Establishment of your account is made by electing an annual amount to be deducted from your paycheck and deposited equally over 12 or 26 pay periods, depending on your monthly or biweekly pay status.
The 2025 annual limit on employee salary reduction contributions to the Health FSA is currently $3,200. The IRS will announce 2026 FSA limits in late 2025. Employees that elect the full annual election of $3,200 for 2026 will automatically be enrolled in the newly released maximum limit.
- Unused employee contributions to the Health FSA for the 2025 plan year are eligible to be rolled over at a maximum of $660* into 2026 and must be used no later than December 31, 2026. *Amount subject to change annually per the IRS.
- Dependent Care accounts in 2025 will have a grace period for use of dependent care funds. Participants with balances remaining at the end of 2025, will have until March 15, 2026, to incur eligible dependent care expenses and until April 15, 2026, to file for dependent care reimbursement.
- The filing deadline for 2025 Health and Dependent Care accounts is April 15, 2026.
The claims administration of SouthFlex is managed by HealthEquity®. We also offer the HealthEquity® Visa® Reimbursement Account Debit Card. When you incur a qualified medical expense, you will be able to pay with the HealthEquity® Visa® Reimbursement Account Card or submit the expense through the HealthEquity online tool for reimbursement. For additional information please visit the SouthFlex page.
Participants may also submit expenses through the online participant portal for reimbursement. Dependent care eligible expenses claims must be filed for reimbursement.
The University pays all administrative expenses for this benefit.
If you enroll in the USA Consumer Plan (HDHP), you are eligible to participate in a Health Savings Account (HSA). The HSA allows you to set aside pretax dollars to cover qualified medical expenses including deductibles, coinsurance and more. The maximum you can contribute to your HSA for 2025 is $4,100 for single coverage and $8,150 for family coverage. Contributions to your HSA are tax-deductible and funds roll over year after year. To enroll in the HSA, you will elect the amount of your payroll contribution and you can make changes to your contribution throughout the year. The HSA is not prefunded on January 1st and you will only be able to withdraw funds for qualified medical expenses that are in the account.
If you are enrolled in the USA Consumer Plan (HDHP), you can also enroll in the Limited Purpose FSA (LPFSA). The LPFSA allows you to set aside pretax dollars for dental and vision expenses. The maximum 2025 yearly maximum is $3,200. The IRS will announce 2026 FSA limits in late 2025. Employees that elect the full annual election of $3,200 for 2026 will automatically be enrolled in the newly released maximum limit. Once you enroll in the LPFSA contributions cannot be changed unless you have a qualifying life event. You will have access to your LPFSA annual election amount on January 1, 2026.
Prime Therapeutics, Inc. (BCBS) is the pharmacy benefit manager for the USA Choice Plan, the USA Select Plan, and USA Consumer Plan. Prime Therapeutics, with direct ties to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, is a national leader in pharmacy management with a network of over 60,000 independent and chain pharmacies nationwide. Plan members can utilize any participating pharmacy to fill maintenance medications and other prescribed medications. Convenient home delivery services will be available from Meds Your Way™ through Amazon Pharmacy. New plan members will receive additional information at their home addresses regarding Prime Therapeutics.
Employees can voluntarily elect vision coverage regardless of whether they are enrolled in medical. For additional information please visit https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/financialaffairs/hr/vsp.html
Monthly Premium:
Single coverage : $6.20
Family Coverage : $17.13