To address rising expenses while continuing to offer strong, competitive coverage, we are introducing minor copay adjustments for 2027:

• Specialist Copays: A $10 increase to specialist visit copays under the Premier PPO and Core PPO plans.
• Prescription Drugs: A $10 increase to Tier 3 prescription drug copays across all medical plans.

Contribution adjustments across our plans are designed to provide clear options for every household, with specific monthly employee increases varying by salary tier and coverage tier:

• Premier PPO Plan: (+11%) Employee monthly contribution increases will range from $4.93 to $103.09.
• Core PPO Plan: (+6%) Employee monthly contribution increases will range from $2.46 to $51.35.
• Consumer-Directed Health Plan/CDHP: (+6%) Employee monthly contribution increases will range from $2.00 to $24.80.
• Delta Dental Comprehensive and Plus Plans (+ 2.8%): For the Comprehensive plan, monthly rate increases will range from $0.52 to $2.39. The Plus plan increases will range from $0.78 to $3.46.

Employees covered under collective bargaining agreements should consult their specific CBA guidelines regarding 2027 contribution rates and copays.

We are pleased to expand our voluntary benefit options in 2027 to offer additional financial security:

• Hospital Indemnity Insurance: Introduced through Lincoln Financial Group, this voluntary, employee-paid supplemental health benefit provides fixed-dollar cash payments for covered hospital and ICU admissions. The benefit helps ease the financial impact of unexpected medical events and recovery, complementing our existing Accident and Critical Illness offerings.
• Life Insurance Enhancements: During this Open Enrollment period, employees can increase spouse voluntary life guaranteed issue coverage from $30,000 to $40,000 without evidence of insurability (EOI). Employees may also increase their own optional life insurance by one increment without EOI.

To ensure our benefit plans remain cost-effective, fair and sustainable for all participants, University Human Resources will be conducting a dependent eligibility audit in early 2027. This process ensures that only individuals who meet plan eligibility criteria are covered. Eligible dependents include:

• Legal spouse 
• Dependent children (biological children, legally adopted children, stepchildren and legal dependents up to age 26)
• Disabled dependent children age 26 or older who are incapable of self-support due to a physical or mental disability

Additionally, we will conduct medical and pharmacy claims audits throughout 2026 and 2027 to uphold our fiduciary responsibility and identify potential plan cost savings.

Employees can participate in Brown Gives to support the United Way of Rhode Island during Open Enrollment. Faculty and staff can donate monthly amounts of $10, $25, $50, $75, or $100 through payroll deductions throughout the calendar year. 

You can learn more about medical insurance options by reviewing the Summary of Benefits.

• Summary of Benefits - 2027 Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBSRI) Core PPO Plan - coming soon!
• Summary of Benefits - 2027 Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBSRI) Premier PPO Plan - coming soon!
• Summary of Benefits - 2027 Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBSRI) Consumer-Directed Health Plan (CDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) - coming soon!

Considering the Blue Cross Blue Shield Consumer-Directed Health Healthplan with HSA Plan? More information coming soon!

• Delta Dental of Rhode Island - PPO Plus Premier Overview - coming soon!
• Delta Dental Comparison Sheet - coming soon!

• Vision Benefits Summary - coming soon!
• VSP Plan Highlights - coming soon!

The individual health savings account contribution limit is $4,500, and for family coverage, it is $9,000. The limit includes both employee and employer contributions. Those 55 and over may contribute an additional $1,000.