ERSC → Active Employees → Employee Benefits Open Enrollment

Employee Benefits Open Enrollment:

October 5–30, 2026

Employee Benefits Open Enrollment for the 2027 plan year began Monday, October 5, 2026. Open Enrollment is your chance to review your benefit options, enroll in benefits, make changes to your existing benefits, and elect your 2027 flexible spending account(s) (FSAs). All changes made during Open Enrollment are effective January 1, 2027. Keep reading to learn more about your benefit options and for instructions on making changes to your benefits.

Benefit Highlights for 2027

• MCPS-offered medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance benefit plans will stay the same for 2027.
• Employee premium contributions will increase by 1 percent. This adjustment aligns with the planned two-year premium increases negotiated for active employees.
• Benefit rates are reviewed each year and may change based on overall healthcare costs and claims experience.

Learn More About Your 2027 Benefits

Your Benefit Options at a Glance

2027 Employee Benefit Summary: Contains a detailed summary of all benefits options effective January 1, 2027.

2027 Health Plan Rates: Informs you of the monthly cost to employees of all health plans, factoring in Wellness Initiatives credits or charges, effective January 1, 2027.

2027 Leave Health Plan Rates: Informs you of the cost of all health plans for employees currently on leave, effective January 1, 2027.

Wellness Initiatives program: Provides incentives to help you reduce your health insurance costs. This link takes you to a page with information about the program so you will be ready to take advantage of the rate reductions for 2028.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Help you save money on medical expenses and dependent care. This link takes you to a page with information and additional links to help you learn more about FSAs.

• Flexible Spending Accounts: Save Money on Healthcare and Dependent Care!—This online booklet, effective January 1, 2027, contains additional details about FSAs, including the types of expenses for which you can receive reimbursement from an FSA, deadlines for submitting expenses, and the IRS "use it or lose it" rule.
• FSA Election Worksheets and Eligible Expenses Lists—These links provide resources for determining how much to set aside in your medical or dependent care FSA and which expenses are eligible for reimbursement.

Open Enrollment Articles

• Be Prepared for Open Enrollment
• Learn About Your Benefit Options at the Open Enrollment Benefit Fairs
• Frequently Asked Questions About Open Enrollment
• Save Money with a Flexible Spending Account
• 2027 Employee Benefits Open Enrollment is Under Way!
• Enrolling in Benefits Through MCPS Hub+

Open Enrollment Virtual Assistance

From October 5–30, ERSC is offering individual assistance virtually. You can register for a 15-minute Microsoft Teams session with an ERSC representative. To sign up, do the following:

1. Open the sign-up screen.
2. Scroll down to select your preferred time.
3. Click the white Sign Up button. A checkmark will appear.
4. Click the Submit and Sign Up button at the bottom of the screen.
5. Provide your name and email address in the spaces provided.
6. To finish, click Sign Up Now.
7. You will receive an email that confirms your appointment and includes a link to your Teams session.

Open Enrollment Benefit Fairs

ERSC is holding three in-person Open Enrollment Benefit Fairs this year. ERSC staff and health-plan representatives from the medical, dental, vision, prescription, and FSA plans will be available in-person to answer your benefit questions. The Benefit Fairs will be held as follows:

Take Action!

Enroll in Benefits or Make Changes to Your Benefits

To enroll in or change your benefits for Fiscal Year 2027, log in to MCPS Hub+, and follow these detailed Open Enrollment instructions from the Benefits Employee User Guide by the October 30, 2026, deadline. You may wish to view this instructional video for more help with your enrollment. After submitting your benefits plan selections, you will be able to print a confirmation report.

Have Questions?

During Open Enrollment, ERSC staff members are available to assist you Monday–Friday. Due to high call volume during this time, you are encouraged to attend one of the health fairs mentioned above. You also may contact ERSC in one of the following ways, listed in recommended order:

Virtually through a Microsoft Teams meeting: Sign up for a 15-minute session using the link above.

In-person or by email at ersc@mcpsmd.org:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday—8:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m. and 2:00–4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday—10:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m. and 2:00–4:30 p.m.

By telephone at 240-740-8100:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday—8:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m. and 2:00–4:15 p.m.
• Wednesday—10:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m. and 2:00–4:15 p.m.