Each year during Open Enrollment, you have the opportunity to review your benefit needs and adjust your coverage for the upcoming plan year. Open Enrollment provides you with the opportunity to make changes to your benefit elections without having a qualifying life event or family status change.

 

This means you are allowed to add or drop your coverage or dependent coverage at this time. At any other time during the year, you must experience a family status change (marriage, divorce, birth or adoption, death of a dependent, change in your child’s dependent status, or change in employment status) in order to make these same changes. Elections made during the new hire waiting period go into effect the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

 

If you experience a family status change or life event, you have 31 days from the date of the event to make necessary changes to your benefits.

 

UnitedHealthcare and Surest, a UnitedHealthcare company, will continue to be the medical carrier for Cohen-Esrey. You will have the option of three medical plans with UnitedHealthcare and one medical plan with Surest to find the right plan for you and your dependents.

• Gold Buy-Up Plan: $1,500 individual/$3,000 family deductible traditional PPO.
• Silver Base Plan: $3,400 individual/$6,800 family deductible high-deductible health plan.
• Bronze Plan: $5,500 individual/$11,000 family deductible high-deductible health plan.
• Surest Plan: $0 individual/$0 family deductibles

 

The Bronze and Silver Base plans allow you the option to pair your medical insurance with a Health Savings Account (HSA). These plans are referred to as Consumer Driven Health Plans or CDHPs (further details on medical tab).

 

We have a few changes to our plans for 2026, including:

• UHC will be your new dental, vision, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity provider.
• LFG will continue to provide voluntary life and disability plans. 

We will be using the Bswift online enrollment system to enroll in the benefit plans available for the 2026 plan year.

 

Paylocity will be used to complete your enrollment. You will access the Bswift function to make your elections, update family and/or beneficiary information, access benefit materials (e.g., plan summary documents or forms), etc. 

 

You will need to know your login to Paylocity to access this information. Access the Bswift site by clicking the menu on the left and selecting Bswift with heart icon. 

Voluntary Benefits

To elect the Voluntary benefits for yourself, spouse, and/or child, select the “View Options” button to view all plans offered. Once you have chosen the plan you wish to enroll in, click “Select” next to the corresponding plan. Select your desired coverage amount where applicable.

 

Almost Finished!

You will now be on the final review page. Review all of your benefit elections and covered dependents. If you wish to make any changes, simply click on any one of the “Edit Selection” buttons. It will return you to the enrollment page.

Once you have completed your review, check “I agree, and I’m finished with my enrollment” and “Complete Enrollment.”

 

If you stop at any point before this step, your progress will be saved, but your enrollment is not complete. You can send yourself an email confirmation of your elections or print it for your records. To view a confirmation statement with all of your current benefits, go to My Benefits and select Current Benefits.

Certificate of coverage

Illinois disclosure notice

• Surest Plan - Click HERE

• Bronze Plan - Click HERE

• Silver Plan - Click HERE

• Gold Plan - Click HERE

The Medical plan is administered by UnitedHealthcare and Surest, a UnitedHealthcare company, using the Choice Plus Network. A summary of the main plan attributes is shown below. You can find a UHC in-network provider by visiting www.uhc.com. At the top of the screen, click on “Find a doctor.” Login or if you don't have an account click "Guest provider search." Follow the prompts and select Medical Network. Use the search bar to perform your search.

 

In addition to our Gold Buy-Up, Silver and Bronze plan option, we have incorporated a Surest plan. The Surest plan is an approach to health benefits that removes the deductible and provides clear upfront pricing information. You can find a Surest in-network provider by visiting www.surest.com or download the Surest app. Click on the buttons below to learn more.

 

As an option to help you save pre-tax dollars towards these deductibles over time, both the Silver and Bronze plans are considered high-deductible health plans. Because of their high deductibles, these medical plans allow you to utilize a Health Savings Account (as an option to help you save toward these deductibles over time). If you choose these plans, you are responsible for the up-front costs for physicians’ visits and other medical services until you meet the annual deductible.

 

Once you meet the appropriate “in-” or “out-of-network” deductible, UnitedHealthcare then shares a coinsurance arrangement with you until the out-of-pocket maximum amount is met. Staying “in-network” will ensure that you will pay much less than if you utilize medical providers and/or pharmacies outside of the UnitedHealthcare network.

 

Learn more about the Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Surest plans.

 

The first step to wellness is through your preventive care benefits. Our Medical plans cover
preventive care services at 100% as long as you use in-network providers. Be sure to tell your
doctor or clinic administrator that your visit is for preventive care so that UnitedHealthcare and Surest is billed properly for these health services.

 

The following table lists some of the key preventive care services covered by the UnitedHealthcare and Surest medical plan. Other services may also be covered, and some restrictions may apply. A full list of covered preventive care services and age/frequency requirements can be found on UnitedHealthcare’s website https://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/preventive-care and on Surest's website https://www.surest.com/blog/importance-of-preventive-care.

UnitedHealth pharmacy services provides a safe, easy, and cost-effective ways for you to get the medication you need. You have several ways to fill prescriptions. Each option offers convenient services to help you make the most of your pharmacy plan.

• Retail Network: You have access to fill your prescriptions at thousands of retail pharmacies and many national drug stores, supermarkets, and large retailers.

• Home Delivery: The home delivery program can save you time and money by delivering maintenance medications directly to your home.

• Specialty Pharmacy: Specialty pharmacy can help you manage your chronic conditions and specialty therapies.

 

Prescription access

Review the list of prescriptions available to you in 2026:

• Click here to see the 2026 Surest and UnitedHealthcare prescription list.

• Click here for prescriptions at no cost.
• For more information on your UnitedHealthcare pharmacy benefits, click here
• For more information on how to save on Surest prescriptions, click here

UnitedHealthcare and Surest member portal

Please register online at https://www.myuhc.com/ or https://surest.com on the UnitedHealthcare or Surest mobile app to take advantage of helpful tools and information.

• My Information — Quickly view, print, or email a copy of your member ID card.

• Plan Benefits — View your medical certificate, summary of benefits and coverage, and more. You’ll have access to tools to help you locate a pharmacy, learn about the differences between generic and brand name medications, save on prescriptions, and access the UnitedHealthcare and Surest Prescription Drug List.

• Claims & Usage — Check the status of your claims. You can view a copy of your Explanation of Benefits, which you receive after every visit to a healthcare provider. This section also includes graphs to illustrate your progress toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.

• Health & Wellness — Learn more about Healthier Habits wellness program and UnitedHealthcare rewards program.

• Ask Us — Get answers to questions about your UnitedHealthcare or Surest policy or health insurance in general.

 

Access your account

Go to https://www.uhc.com/ or https://benefits.surest.com on the UnitedHealthcare or Surest mobile app to access your health insurance information anytime, wherever you go. Quickly view, print or email a copy of your ID card.

 

NOTE: Once you’ve registered online, the same information can be used to access the UnitedHealthcare or Surest mobile app.

Understanding Surest

Find out if Surest is right for you!

Check out the demo site for the Surest plan. This demo allows you to see how the Surest plan works, the basics of the Surest plan, how you can see prices and coverage options, how to save prescription costs, and more!

 

• Visit Surest Demo
• New Hires! - Click here to access and scan the demo QR code

 

UnitedHealthcare and Surest mobile app

Access your account on your phone

The UnitedHealthcare and Surest app makes it easy to manage your coverage — no matter where you are. From claims to out-of-pocket costs to finding care, you’ll have the information you need to manage your plan and get the most from your UnitedHealthcare and Surest coverage. Single sign-on — The same login and password are used on the website and mobile app.

 

Click HERE to learn about UnitedHealthcare Mobile App.

 

Click HERE to learn about Surest Mobile App.

UnitedHealthcare rewards!

UHC Rewards is a digital experience where you can earn rewards for reaching program goals and completing one-time reward activities. And get this; it's included in your health plan at no additional cost! The reward activities you choose are up to you.

• Reward yourself with an Apple Watch! (Click here)

• Earn up to $300! (Click here)

• Biometric screening earns you points (Click here)
• Learn more about the rewards program (Click here)

 

 

• Enroll at enroll.realappeal.com

• Learn more about Real Appeal through UnitedHealthcare (Click here)

• Learn more about Real Appeal through Surest (Click here)

 

Talkspace

Surest invites you to a clinically supported program that utilizes the most effective therapeutic approaches for anxiety, depression, burnout, and parenting. Complete a quick 25-question assessment to receive a personalized plan for self-guided and interactive courses and counseling programs.

Click here to learn more.

 

Employee assistance program

With UnitedHealthcare, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers access to personalized support, resources and no-cost referrals. It's confidential one-on-one help from a masters'-level specialist.

• EAP helps you and your family with a range of issues.
• 3 free counseling sessions per incident, per year.

To learn more, click here

Call EAP at 1-888-887-4114

 

 

Your HSA can be used for your qualified medical expenses or your spouse or dependent’s qualified medical expenses, even if they are not covered by the UHC Health Plan. Eligible medical expenses are defined by the IRS and include such things as doctor’s office visits, deductibles, coinsurance, and prescription drugs. IRS Publication 502 provides a complete list of eligible expenses and can be found at www.irs.gov.

 

You can elect to participate in the Health Savings Account with UMB Bank and have deductions taken on a pre-tax basis and deposited into your account. You are also allowed to make after-tax deposits directly to your account up to the IRS calendar year allowable maximum. You may also start an HSA at a financial institution of your choice. In that case, you would deposit funds on an after-tax basis and deduct the amount of your contributions when you file your income taxes.

 

“Triple Play” Tax Savings With Your HSA

Contributions to an HSA are tax-free. (They can be made through payroll deduction on a pre- tax basis when you open an account with UMB Bank.)

• The money in this account (including interest and investment earnings) grows tax-free.

• As long as the funds are used to pay for qualified medical expenses, they are spent tax- free.

Catch-Up Contribution

Individuals ages 55 or older may make an additional $1,000 annual contribution to their HSA.

Quick overview

We are excited to announce that our new vision carrier will be UnitedHealthcare for 2026. UHC uses the Spectera Vision Network. Cohen is also offering an additional Buy-up vision plan for the 2026 benefit year. Vision insurance is elected on a voluntary basis, but you must enroll during Open Enrollment or if you have a family status change, similar to your other available coverages.

With this coverage, you will have a broad access to in-network providers. Spectera’s vision care benefits include coverage for eye exams, standard lenses and frames, and contact lenses and discounts for laser surgery. These vision plans are built around a network of eye care providers, with better benefits at a lower cost to you when you use providers who belong to the Spectera network. When you use an out- of-network provider, you will have to pay more for vision services and will only receive an allowance toward the cost of your services.

 

Below is an overview of your vision coverage through Spectera or you can click HERE for more Information.

 

Click HERE for more information on your Base vision benefit. Click HERE for more information on your Buy-up vision benefit. Learn how to find an in-network eye doctor, schedule an eye exam, and discover more ways to save.

Quick overview

In the event of your death, the life insurance policy provides a benefit to the beneficiary you designate. If your death is the result of an accident or if an accident leaves you with a covered debilitating injury, you are covered under the AD&D insurance for the same amount.

 

You have the opportunity to purchase voluntary life and AD&D insurance for yourself, your spouse and/or your dependent children. Your cost for this coverage is based on the amount you elect and your age. You must purchase voluntary life and AD&D insurance for yourself in order to purchase spouse and/or dependent child(ren) coverage. If you did not enroll in this coverage when you were first eligible, you will be subject to medical underwriting.

Voluntary life rates

You will receive a letter or email from Lincoln with instructions and a unique link to submit your EOI form online. First register and create an account on Lincoln Financial, then fill out the form, electronically sign it, and click ‘Submit’. Once Lincoln Financial receives the form, you will be contacted with any questions, before notifying you (and your employer if the coverage amount changes).

Our online EOI forms are an easier, quicker alternative to traditional paper forms, helping you get covered when you need to provide additional information. There are a few situations where you need to answer health questions, enroll for higher amounts of coverage, or request coverage after the initial eligibility period. In all of these situations, Lincoln Financial's online EOI form keeps things simple. Your data is kept secure at every stage of the process, fewer errors than hand-written forms, and faster submission digitally, it’s easier than ever to complete it and get covered. Electronic EOI can be used for: basic and voluntary life and short-term disability.

Disability insurance covers a part of your income, so you can pay your bills if you’re injured or sick and can’t work. Disability may be more common than you might realize, and people can be unable to work for all sorts of different reasons. There are times when many disabilities can be caused by illness, including common conditions like heart disease and arthritis. However, many disabilities aren't covered by workers' compensation.

 

Who is it for? If you rely on your income to pay for everyday expenses, then you should probably consider disability insurance. It helps ensure that you’ll receive a partial income if you’re injured or too sick to work.

 

What does it cover? Many disability insurance plans pay out a portion or percentage of your income if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness or experience an injury that prevents you from doing your job.

 

Why should I consider it? Accidents happen, and you can’t always anticipate if or when you’ll become sick or injured. That’s why it’s important to have a disability policy that helps you pay your bills in the event of being unable to collect your normal paycheck.

 

Read below for more information on disability benefits and click HERE to learn more about STD.

 

Please click HERE for complete details.

 

Please click HERE for complete details.

Critical Illness insurance provides you a lump-sum payment of your choice of either $15,000 or $30,000 in initial benefits upon diagnosis.

 

Payments may be used to help pay for expenses generally not covered by medical and disability insurance coverage. Payments you receive will be made in addition to any other insurance you may have and may be spent as you see fit. The following illnesses are covered under this plan:

To connect with EmployeeConnect please visit www.guidanceresources.com, download the GuidanceNow mobile app or call 888-628-4824.

 

Login User Name: LFGSupport Password: LFGSupport1

 

COINSURANCE: Coinsurance is your share of the costs of a covered healthcare service, calculated as a percent (for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for the service. Your coinsurance will begin after you have met your deductible. For example, if the health plan’s allowed amount for an office visit is $100 and you’ve met your deductible, your coinsurance payment of 20% would be $20. The health plan pays the rest of the allowed amount.

 

COPAY: A copay is a fixed dollar amount you pay for a healthcare service. The amount can vary by the type of service. Your copays will not count toward your deductible but will count toward your out-of-pocket maximum.

 

DEDUCTIBLE: The deductible is the amount you owe for covered healthcare services before your plan begins to pay benefits. For example, if your deductible is $2,800, your plan won’t pay anything until you’ve met your $2,800 deductible for covered healthcare services subject to the deductible. Preventive care is not subject to the deductible as it is covered 100% by any medical plan option.

 

EMBEDDED DEDUCTIBLE: If you are on a family medical plan with an embedded deductible, your plan contains two components: an individual deductible and a family deductible. Having two components to the deductible allows each member of your family to have your insurance policy cover their medical bills prior to the entire dollar amount of the family deductible being met. The individual deductible is embedded in the family deductible.

 

IN-NETWORK VS. OUT-OF-NETWORK: A network is composed of all contracted providers. Networks request providers to participate in their network, and in return, providers agree to offer discounted services to their patients. If you pick an out-of-network provider, your claims will be higher because you will not receive the discounts the in-network providers offer.

 

OUT-OF-POCKET MAXIMUM: The out-of-pocket maximum is designed to protect you in the event of a catastrophic illness or injury. Your out-of-pocket maximum includes your deductible, coinsurance and copays that come out of your pocket. After you have paid the specified out-of-pocket amount during a policy year, the plan pays the remaining covered services at 100%.

 

EXPLANATION OF BENEFITS (EOB): An EOB is a statement from the insurance company showing how claims were processed. The EOB tells you what portion of the claim was paid to the healthcare provider and what portion of the payment, if any, you are responsible for.

 

INDIVIDUAL MANDATE: Federal health reform mandates most U.S. citizens have health insurance for themselves and their dependents. We help you stay insured by offering affordable healthcare for all employees who work at least 30 hours each week. Coverage is effective the first of the month following 30 days of full-time employment and allows you to cover your spouse and children.

 

PREVENTIVE CARE: Routine healthcare services can minimize the risk of certain illnesses or chronic conditions. Examples of preventive care services include but are not limited to physical exams, mammograms, flu vaccines, prostate tests and smoking cessation.

 

REASONABLE AND CUSTOMARY: The amount of money a health plan determines is the normal or acceptable range of charges for a specific health-related service or medical procedure. If your healthcare provider submits higher charges than what the health plan considers normal or acceptable, you may have to pay the difference.