What you need to know
Equity-League health benefits Open Enrollment is November 1–30, 2026.
If your current Equity-League Health Fund medical plan coverage extends into 2027, Open Enrollment is your opportunity to make changes to your health benefits, so they continue to meet your needs in the year ahead.
If you don’t want to make any changes or additions, you don’t need to take any action. Your current benefits will automatically roll over to 2027.
All benefits changes will take effect January 1, 2027.
What you can do during Open Enrollment
During Open Enrollment you can make the following changes:
- Enroll in a different medical plan, where available.
- Enroll in or switch dental coverage.
- Add or drop medical and/or dental coverage for a dependent.
You cannot change coverage tiers during Open Enrollment unless the following applies: If your current coverage period ends on December 31 and you requalify for six months of coverage beginning January 1.
A note about dental coverage
If you elect or change dental coverage during Open Enrollment, be sure to complete and submit the Cigna Dental Enrollment Form with your payment to avoid delays and errors. As a reminder, if you switch to the Dental HMO or choose it for the first time without selecting a primary care dentist, Cigna will assign a dentist to you.
If you had continuous health coverage during 2026 but stopped paying for dental coverage during the year, you will be required to pay the premiums that were due for the balance of 2026 before you can re-enroll for dental coverage in 2027. This rule does not apply if you lost medical coverage because you were no longer eligible but subsequently requalified for Fund coverage through employment.
Enrollment deadlines
Open Enrollment ends on Monday, November 30, 2026.
If you miss the deadline, you can enroll December 1, 2026–January 4, 2027, but you will pay a $100 late enrollment penalty. No enrollments will be accepted after January 4, 2027, unless you experience a life event (e.g., loss of other coverage, marriage, birth or adoption of a child) that qualifies as a special enrollment exception.
Don’t miss what’s important
Stay current on important benefit updates by opting in for email delivery of ELBF communications. Not only is it the easiest way to make sure you don’t miss what you need to know, but it’s also the most environmentally friendly communication option. Take these quick steps to opt in to ELBF emails:
- Log in to the Member Portal.
- Click the Contact Information tab. Under Communication Preferences, check the applicable boxes to receive communications electronically.
- Confirm your contact information, including the email address where you wish to receive communications from the Funds.
- Click Submit.
What’s new and changing for 2027
The Trustees are making several Plan changes that are designed to keep the benefits that we provide affordable for you and for the Fund. While some of the changes involve increases to quarterly premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, we’re also adding a program that provides a way to save money by reimbursing you for out-of-pocket costs. Read about the changes that take effect January 1, 2027.
What you need to do
As you think about how your needs may change in the coming year, take the following steps during Open Enrollment:
- Review what’s new and changing for 2027.
- Learn whether you are eligible for benefits, or review your current coverage.
- Review your medical and dental benefit options.
- Compare plan costs.
- Elect or make changes to your benefits elections in one of the following ways by December 1:
- Use the Member Portal to quickly and easily change or add—and pay for—the coverage you choose, and attach any required forms. If you haven’t visited the Portal before, you’ll need to register first.
- Call (212) 869-9380 in NYC or toll-free outside of NYC (800) 344-5220, Monday–Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, and submit a payment over the phone. Then, fax any required forms to (212) 869-3323. The Fund Office must receive your enrollment form(s) and payment in full by December 1 for your elections to take effect on January 1.