What's Changing for 2025

2025 Medical Contribution Overview

The faculty and staff Medical Plan will increase by 6% in 2025 (across all salary bands and plans*). Approximately 70% of full-time medical plan participants will see an average increase of less than $20 per month. The monthly employee contribution increase will range from $2 to about $53, depending on your plan, coverage level and salary band.

Below are three examples of the monthly medical contribution increase for a full-time benefits-eligible employee with a salary between $50k and $90k. Please note: Contribution details for all pay frequencies will soon be available in the Open Enrollment Guide.

If the employee enrolls in the GW HSP or PPO for individual coverage, the average medical contribution increase will be about $6 or $8 per month, respectively, for 2025.
If the employee enrolls in the GW HSP with family coverage, the average medical contribution increase will be about $23 per month for 2025.
If the employee enrolls in the GW PPO with family coverage, the average medical contribution increase will be about $42 per month for 2025.

*Please note: There are no changes to the current salary bands and both the GW PPO and GW Health Savings Plan (HSP) will continue to be offered. UnitedHealthcare will continue to be the medical benefits administrator for both plans and there will be no plan design changes for 2025 (e.g., deductibles, copays).

Reminder: MFA TIER

The GW PPO and HSP medical plans include a separate benefit coverage tier for Medical Faculty Associates (MFA). When GW medical plan participants see an MFA provider*, they receive lower co-payments and lower employee coinsurance, helping your medical expense dollars go further because a greater portion of your care will be covered by the Plan.

GW employees also have a dedicated phone number to schedule appointments at: 202-677-6000.

*The MFA tier applies to professional charges by MFA providers, MFA behavioral health providers continue to be out of-network.

2025 Dental Contribution Overview

Dental contributions to the DMO plan will not increase for 2025. We are seeing a high trend on the PPO dental plans, resulting in employee monthly contribution increases across the Low PPO and High PPO dental plan options ranging from about $5 to $12 per month, depending on your plan and coverage. The DMO, High PPO, and Low PPO plans continue to be offered through Aetna and there will be no coverage or plan design changes for 2025.

2025 Vision Contribution Overview

Vision coverage contributions will increase by $0.08 and $0.22 per month for the Basic plan depending on your coverage level. Under the Basic plan, the contact allowance will increase from $105 to $130. Contributions for the Enhanced plan will increase between $0.43 and $1.25, depending on your coverage level. Under the enhanced plan, the frame allowance will increase from $130 to $150. The Basic and Enhanced vision plans will continue to be offered through UnitedHealthcare.

IRS Account Based Plan Updates

2025 Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Contribution Limits

The annual maximum for the Health Care FSA will remain the same at $3,200.
The annual maximum for the Dependent Day Care FSA will remain the same at $5,000 (or $2,500 if you and your spouse file separate tax returns).

2025 Health Savings Account (HSA) Contribution Limits

(combined employee + GW contribution)

For those with individual Health Savings Plan (HSP) coverage, the annual maximum for the HSA will increase by $150 to $4,300.
For those with family HSP coverage, the annual maximum for the HSA will increase by $250 to $8,550.
GW’s HSA matching contribution continues: GW will match dollar for dollar up to $600 for those enrolled for employee-only coverage and up to $1,200 for those covering dependents under the GW Health Savings Plan.

Note: If the IRS announces increases to the FSA maximum amounts noted above during / following the Open Enrollment period and you have elected for 2025, you will be notified via email and have the opportunity to make a change to your election by the deadline provided.

Vendor Change: SupportLinc for the GW Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Beginning January 1, 2025, GW will partner with SupportLinc - to provide the GW Employee Assistance Program
At some point in our lives, each of us faces a problem or situation that we could use help to resolve. When these instances arise, the employee assistance program (EAP) can help. The GW EAP powered by SupportLinc will continue to provide confidential support to help address life’s challenges and demands that come with balancing home and work. All previous EAP services will be offered, including work-life solutions, financial, legal, and identity theft resource referrals as well as confidential counseling but with enhanced capabilities and technology. You choose how you access care - from in-the-moment support via phone and live chat to email, video counseling, textcoach, and in-person support. SupportLinc also provides online appointment scheduling in real time, vetted work-life referrals/resources, and more! We invite you to join an upcoming session with SupportLinc to learn more! We invite you to join an upcoming information session with SupportLinc to learn more! Visit our Open Enrollment Events calendar for details.

Optional Life Insurance

During Open Enrollment, employees who have optional employee life insurance coverage below $250K, or are not yet enrolled, can elect up to an additional $250K of coverage without EOI.

Employees with $250K or more in optional employee life insurance can increase their coverage up to the new GI of $500K without EOI. Here are a couple of examples:

If you are currently enrolled with $100K, you can elect up to $350K without EOI
If you are currently enrolled with $350K, you can elect up to $500K without EOI

Important: Anyone previously declined for coverage on the basis of EOI must submit EOI for any increase.