Benefits - Open Enrollment for Pre-Medicare Retirees
Open Enrollment for Pre-Medicare Retirees
Visit the RIT Service Center or call 585-475-5000 for questions about your benefits and the Open Enrollment process.
Open Enrollment for Pre-Medicare Retirees is
Monday, November 3 to Friday, November 28, 2025.
What to Know
Materials
An Open Enrollment Newsletter (including 2026 plan options and rates) along with a personalized Enrollment Form and Annual Compliance Notices is being mailed out the last week of October. Rochester locals will receive them prior to November 3rd and out-of-town Retirees may receive them the first week of November.
Medical Plans
- Cost Increases - Medical plan contribution rates will increase across all plans. Your actual increase depends on the plan you choose, who you cover, and your retiree cost group and salary level.
- New Plan Option - We’re introducing a new medical plan option to give employees additional choice: the High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), which includes access to a Health Savings Account (HSA).
- Discontinuation of POS B No Drug plan - RIT will discontinue this plan in 2026. Retirees currently enrolled in the POS B No Drug plan will be moved to the POS D plan if they do not make another election during the Open Enrollment time period.
- Rochester Regional Health Copay Change - Beginning in 2026, the discounted copay for Rochester Regional Health providers will no longer apply. Copays will be the same as other in network providers across all plans, except for the HDHP with HSA, which does not include copays.
- Specialty Prescription Copay Assistance - We’re introducing two copay assistance programs, PillarRx and HelpScript, to significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for members who use certain specialty drugs.
- What's not changing
- Plan Designs will remain the same for POS A, POS B, POS D, and BluePPO plans, including copays, deductibles, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket-maximums.
Dental Plans
- Cost Increases - Dental plan contribution rates remain the same for 2026.
- Plan Features - There are no changes to the dental plans for 2026.
Benefits Enrollment
- Same as in previous years, Pre-Medicare Retirees will receive a mailed packet of RIT benefit and enrollment information. There will be a personalized enrollment form included in the package that will include your current enrollments. If you wish to change anything, please return the enclosed enrollment form to the RIT Benefits office using the address on the form.
- You will receive your new bill for benefits from LBS in late December/ early January.
2026 Medical Plans
RIT offers a variety of medical plan options to meet the needs of our employees and retirees. Whether you're looking for lower premiums, more options for care, or tax-advantaged savings, there's a plan for you.
Click the button below to be taken to a comprehensive breakdown of RIT's Medical Plan options available in 2026. Medical Plan Summaries and SBCs are included under each option heading. Find comparison documents and legal notices (including the 2026 Creditable Coverage Notice) under the Medical Plan Resources section.
Reminder: RIT subsidized Retirees' medical premium cost. Individual contributions vary based on the selected plan, coverage level, and salary level. Rate information is linked on the left side panel.
Dental Plans
RIT offers two dental plan options through Excellus BlueCross BlueShield: the Standard Plan and the Enhanced Plan. Both plans provide comprehensive coverage, with key differences in annual limits and major service coverage.
Preventive care, including annual exams, is covered at 100% under both plans. The Enhanced Plan includes higher coverage for major services and a greater annual maximum.
Pre-Medicare retirees and their Pre-Medicare spouses are eligible for the Dental Care plan until the become Medicare. Coverage will end the last day of the month prior to the month the enroll in Medicare. For dependent children of retirees, coverage can continue through the end of the month in which they turn 26.
Note: Dental plan designs remain the same as 2025.
Coverage Category |
Standard Plan |
Enhanced Plan |
|
Annual Deductible |
Individual: Family: $75 |
None |
|
Annual Maximum |
$1,250 |
$2,500 |
|
Preventive Services |
Plan covers 100% |
Plan covers 100% |
| Basic Restorative | Plan Covers 80% | Plan Covers 80% |
| Major Restorative | Plan Covers 50% | Plan Cover 80% |
| Orthodontia Services | Plan covers 50% $1,250 lifetime max Children under 19 |
Plan covers 50% $2,500 lifetime max Children & adults |
Questions? Log in to your account by visiting Excellus BlueCross BlueShield or call 800-724-1675.
Vision Insurance - NO NEW ENROLLMENTS
Retirees currently enrolled in legacy vision coverage through VSP are eligible to continue their coverage in 2026. There are no changes to the coverage or contribution amounts in 2026. You may disenroll from this plan, but reenrollment is not permitted once coverage has been discontinued.
Through VSP Vision Care, RIT provides affordable vision benefits, including eye exams, lenses and frames. There are no changes to the plan designs or employee contributions for 2026.
How the Plan Works with Participating Providers
- A $15 copay for routine eye exams.
- A $150 allowance for frames or contact lenses each calendar year.
- Full coverage for standard lenses after a $20 copay (covers single vision, bifocals, progressive, etc.)
- A $150 allowance toward contact lens evaluation and purchase, plus a 15% discount on fittings before the allowance applies.
- Discounts on upgraded frame options.
- Specialized coverage through the VSP Diabetic Eyecare Plus Program for members with specific eye health conditions.
If you are enrolled in POS A, POS B or POS D, your plan covers routine eye exams with a copay.
- You can visit any eye doctor, even if they are not a VSP provider, by showing your medical ID card.
- After the exam, you may take your prescription to a VSP provider to purchase eyeglasses or contact lenses.
- Reminder: In-network providers are the most affordable option and help you get the best value from your plan.
The table below outlines in-network benefits by participating providers.
Service |
Annual Benefit |
|---|---|
| Eye Exam |
|
| Lenses |
|
| Frames |
|
| Contact Lenses |
|
| Additional Programs |
|
Plan Contacts
Benefit Providers
| Plan | Vendor | Contact info |
| Medical Coverage | Excellus BlueCross BlueShield | 800-724-1675/V and 585-454-2845/TTY |
| Prescription Drug | OptumRx | (855) 209-1300 |
| Prescription Drug | Wegmans | 800-934-6267 (call transferred to local store) |
| Dental | Excellus BlueCross BlueShield | 800-724-1675/V and 585-454-2845/TTY |
| Vision | VSP | 800-877-7195/V and 800-428-4833/TTY |
| Retiree Billing | Lifetime Benefit Solutions | 800-327-7130 |