Open Enrollment for 2026 benefit elections is just around the corner! This is your opportunity to review, select, or change your benefits for the upcoming plan year. Please take the time to review all of the materials as these are important decisions.
Below are highlights and updates for next year’s benefits. Visit our Open Enrollment page on WNSM for a link to our 2026 Benefits Guide and a job aid on how to access the enrollment portal. If you have questions, ‘Explain My Benefits’ enrollment counselors will be available by phone and the NSM Benefits Team is available at benefits@nsm-seating.com.
Enrollment Essentials
- Open Enrollment will run from Wednesday, October 29, to Friday, November 14.
- All benefits eligible employees must complete enrollment, even if the employee intends to keep the same plan or waive medical coverage.
What Do I Need to Know?
Medical Coverage
Medical insurance carriers remain the same with BlueCross Blue Shield and Kaiser California. All deductibles remain the same, with the exception of the BCBS Buy-Up HDHP Plan. The individual deductible on that plan will increase by $100 to remain an IRS-qualified High-Deductible Plan.
NSM will continue to offer two tiers for medical premiums. Tier one premiums are offered to employees with an annual salary of $59,999 or under. Tier two premiums are offered to employees earning $60,000 and more per year, and all employees in Sales positions (ATPs, RTS, Access Sales).
In transparency, we want to share that there will be rate increases to our medical premiums next year. NSM continues to pay the majority of the premium, covering a minimum of 75%+ of the cost. However, employee premium cost share will also increase. Across the country, employers are experiencing the most drastic rise in healthcare costs since 2010.
Click here to learn more about the factors driving these increases. Premium charts can be found in the
2026 Benefits Guide. BCBS premiums are located on page 9 and Kaiser CA rates are on page 13.
What's New This Year?
New Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) – CVS Caremark
Next year, BCBS members will have a new pharmacy benefit manager. We will transition from OptumRx to CVS Caremark as of January 1st, 2026. If you have a prior authorization or current prescription on file, this information will be transferred over. CVS Caremark has a large national network with access to tens of thousands of pharmacies, including national chains, independent pharmacies, pharmacies located in grocery stores, and mail order delivery. Additional details are available in the benefits guide, and more information will be mailed to your home address over the next couple of months. All BCBS members will receive
a new ID card with the CVS Caremark pharmacy plan information and member services number.
New Requirement – Dependent Verification
A new process with this year’s open enrollment will include dependent verification. This documentation requirement is only applicable for medical plan enrollees. Click here to see a list of accepted documents to confirm dependent eligibility. Documentation must be submitted by Monday, November 24th, and it can be uploaded in the enrollment portal or via the enrollment mobile application.
New Requirement – Spousal Attestation
If enrolling a spouse on the medical plan, this year’s open enrollment will require an attestation regarding your spouse’s eligibility. Effective January 1st, 2026, dependent spouses whose employer offers medical insurance, and the spouse is eligible for that coverage, will no longer be able to remain on NSM’s medical plan. If your spouse has no medical coverage option through their employer, they may enroll in our plan for 2026. If you elect to enroll a spouse during open enrollment, you will be prompted to attest in the enrollment portal.
Enhancements & Reminders
New –
- Additional preventative screenings for breast cancer at no cost.
- Dependent Care FSA annual maximum increased from $5,000 to $7,500.
Reminders –
- Voya will continue to offer guaranteed issue on short term disability and critical illness plans. This means no medical questionnaire is required as a first-time enrollee.
- NSM will continue to match up to $550 in your Health Savings Account (HSA) in 2026.
- NSM will continue to offer FEDlogic services at no cost. This free and confidential service can help you navigate and maximize any federal and state benefits for which you or your family members may qualify, including Medicare and Medicaid. For more information, visit our FEDlogic page on WNSM.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns, send an email to
benefits@nsm-seating.com.