Annual Benefits Open Enrollment

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 to Friday, May 1, 2026 at 4:00PM EST 

For Changes Effective July 1, 2026 (Fiscal Year 2027)

The City’s annual health insurance open enrollment is once again upon us. Open Enrollment will begin on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 and continue until Friday, May 1, 2026 at 4:00PM EST. 

During this time, you have the opportunity to enroll in new benefits or make changes to your current health plan. We will continue to offer comprehensive health plans, including dental and vision, to all of our employees at 25% of the full premium cost.

All enrollment documents must be received by the Massachusetts Group Insurance Commission (GIC) no later than Friday, May 1, 2026 at the close of business (4:00PM EST). The GIC is requiring that forms be completed electronically through the GIC portal. 

If you have any questions regarding your benefits or need a paper form, please contact the Benefits Office at 413-787-6055 or by emailing benefits@springfieldcityhall.com. Our office is open Monday through Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Please allow up to 48 hours for a response.

Employee Action Items

  • Review the GIC Benefit Decision Guide for benefit summaries effective July 1, 2026.
  • Review the City of Springfield Rate Sheet to see which plan fits into your budget.
  • Contact the plans to find out specific details for doctors and hospitals. Your GIC Benefit Decision Guide is an overview of GIC benefits; it is not a comprehensive plan handbook.

Currently Enrollees:

  • If you are happy with your current health and dental/vision elections, NO action is required, your health benefits will remain exactly as they are and will automatically roll over. **If you have an FSA/DCA you must reenroll in this account each year. (see below)

  • If you would like to CHANGE your current elections, you must complete a form via the GIC portal or by calling the GIC at 617-727-2310. 

Not Currently Enrolled:

  • If you would like to enroll in health or dental/vision benefits, you must complete a form via the GIC portal or by calling the GIC at 617-727-2310.

**Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care Accounts (DCA):**

YOU MUST REENROLL in FSA and/or DCA accounts every year if you want to have either. This can be completed electronically through the Ameriflex Participant Portal. Click here to view instructions.

Thanks,

City of Springfield Benefits Team

AmeriFlex - Flexible Spending Accounts

The City has partnered with AmeriFlex as the Section 125 Plan provider (Health & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts). You may elect to set money aside directly from your paycheck for a Flexible Spending Account (Health Care FSA and/or Dependent Care FSA).  The FSA benefit allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars to individual accounts for eligible uninsured or unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and dependent care expenses.

                                                Annual Minimum               Annual Maximum

Health Care Accounts                      $300                                    $3,400

Dependent Care Accounts               $500                                    $7,500 

The Health Care FSA is a DEBIT CARD which allows you to “Swipe-N-Go”.  You will only be able to use your debit card for eligible health care expenses.

A Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for eligible dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare. If you sign up for a Dependent Care Account, you will need to submit for reimbursements. 

If you are currently participating in the FSA benefit, you are required to RE-ENROLL for the new plan year July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.  To enroll/re-enroll, navigate to AmeriFlex to complete the process electronically.

Cigna Dental/Vision Plans

The City of Springfield will continue to provide dental and vision coverage through Cigna. Enrollment into the dental and vision benefit is separate from your enrollment into any of the medical plans. New Enrollments require completion of an additional form. Please review the Cigna Dental Base DPO4 and Vision benefit summaries for more detailed information about Dental and Vision coverage.

The City offers three (3) Dental Plans: 

  1. The current base DPO4 Dental Plan and PPO Vision Plan will continue to be offered.
  2. Employees and Retirees can add supplemental Dental coverage by enrolling in a “Buy-Up” DPOB Plan.  The cost of this additional coverage will be paid by the Employee/Retiree. The City will continue to provide 75% of the cost of the DPO4 Base Dental/PPO Vision Plan.
  3. Employees and Retirees can opt into a lower cost narrow network DHMO Q5100 Dental/Vision Plan.  This plan has narrow network of providers and City will provide 75% of the cost of this plan.

Enrollment in either of these new plans can be completed by filling out the Cigna Enrollment Form and returning it to the Employee Benefits Department.  

Please contact a Cigna Representative to discuss plan options and what might be best for you and your family! 

 

Wellpoint Webinars

Wellpoint will be offering webinars to provide an overview of the Wellpoint health plans and unique benefits. Experts will be live to provide a comprehensive review and answer questions.

April 6, 2026   4:00pm - 5:00pm        Click here to register for 4/6 

April 7, 2026   10:00am - 11:00am     Click here to register for 4/7 

Colonial Life Virtual Appointments

Boston Mutual Life Insurance

Page last updated:  Wednesday, March 19, 2025 04:14 pm