Welcome to the first Retiree Benefits digest! This weekly update is designed to keep you informed and make it easier to navigate the Medicare Marketplace transition. Each edition will bring together the most important updates, clarifications, and resources from the past week—all in one place—so you can stay confident and connected throughout the process.

  • Enrollment update. As of Wednesday, November 12, 63% of retirees and their dependents have successfully enrolled in plans. If you have yet to enroll, please visit my.viabenefits.com/uvm or call 1-833-858-4990 to make an appointment.
  • Friendly Reminder: Open Enrollment for Dental and Non-Medicare Medical Coverage closes today. Friday, November 14 is the final day to make changes to you or your dependent’s dental or non-Medicare medical coverage for 2026.
  • New Benefits web design. Human Resources is pleased to share an updated web structure to help you find the information you need, faster. We’ve split our current benefits page into four distinct pages:
    • Transitioning to the Medicare Marketplace gives you all the information you need about the transition to the Medicare Marketplace for UVM retirees. It includes an updated FAQ, the latest news & announcements, and instructions on how to enroll in the Marketplace through Via Benefits.
    • Medicare-Eligible Medical Benefits holds information about UVM’s current group coverage, Vermont Blue Advantage, which will end on December 31, 2025.
    • Non-Medicare Medical Benefits holds information about UVM’s current group coverage for Medicare-ineligible retirees and dependents, Vermont BCBS PPO 1.
    • Dental Benefits is information about your dental coverage options through Delta Dental.
  • A Clarification about the Voluntary Disenrollment letters from VBA. After retirees and dependents who are currently covered on Vermont Blue Advantage enroll in a new plan for 2026, they will be issued a letter of disenrollment. This is a templated letter from Vermont Blue Advantage that utilizes the word "voluntary disenrollment." This language has no impact on your guaranteed issues rights. You do not have to take action in response to this letter.
  • What to expect: Setting up your HRA. After you have completed enrollment for your new 2026 coverage with Via Benefits, you should receive confirmation of this enrollment and new ID cards in the mail from your chosen carrier.  After you have enrolled, HRA reimbursement packets will begin mailing in early to mid-December. This packet will provide additional directions from Via Benefits on how to activate your HRA and set up direct deposit. While you may have provided your banking information to arrange payment for your new coverage, this information will need to be provided again now that your application has been accepted by the carrier.   

Don’t want to wait until Friday to hear the latest updates? Make sure to check out our Retiree News page for announcements throughout the week. If something urgent arises, we will notify you outside of this weekly email.

Thank you for staying engaged and helping us support the entire retiree community.

Sincerely,

The UVM Benefits Team