What is an HSA Account?
 A Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged savings account that is paired with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) that allows you to set aside pre-tax money to pay for qualified medical expenses like deductibles, copayments, and prescriptions. The funds in an HSA roll over year-to-year and stay with you even if you change jobs or retire. Your money can grow interest, and even the interest is tax-free. The money is federal tax-free if it’s spent on a qualified medical expense.
The HSA is owned by the employee and can be funded through employee payroll contributions and through employer contributions. Employer contributions are made in January and July as outlined in your Collective Bargaining Agreement or Ordinance.
The IRS determines how much you can fund annually. There is no limit on how much money can accumulate, the IRS only limits how much can be deposited each year. Employees can contribute up to the annual maximum amount as determined by the IRS. Maximum contribution amounts for 2026 are:
- $4,400 for single coverage
- $8,750 for family coverage
Those 55 years of age or older, but not yet entitled to Medicare benefits, can fund an additional $1,000 per year “catch-up” contribution. If your spouse is 55 or older, they can open an HSA bank account and deposit a $1,000 “catch-up” contribution in addition to these amounts.
You are eligible to open and contribute to an HSA if:
- You are covered by an eligible high deductible health plan (HDHP) – which means you can’t take the Traditional PPO plan and open an HSA account
- You are not covered by any other traditional health plan that is not a high deductible health plan (vision & dental is permissible)
- You are not entitled to Medicare, TRICARE or TRICARE for Life
- You have not received VA benefits within the past three months unless the care was for a service-related disability
- You are not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
- You are not covered by a Health Care Flexible Savings Account (FSA)
Please see irs.gov/publications/p502 for more information on eligibility and eligible expenses.
 One Open Enrollment Two Plan Choices
For the first time, the City of Columbus is transitioning to a single Open Enrollment. This means we will no longer have a spring PPO Open Enrollment. This is your opportunity to choose your plan and update your elections for 2026!
2026 Combined PPO & HDHP Open Enrollment will occur from October 27 - November 30, 2025. The Open Enrollment period will give you the opportunity to:
- Add or Remove Covered Dependents
- Enroll in Coverage, Switch Benefit Plans or Waive Coverage
- Update your 2026 HSA Contributions
2026 Open Enrollment Information Sessions
 2026 Open Enrollment General Information Session (Medical/RX/HSA/Dental/Vision) - In Person
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.; 1111. E. Broad St. Room 09
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.; 1111 E. Broad St Room 09
For the first time, the City of Columbus is transitioning to a single Open Enrollment. This is your opportunity to choose your plan and update your elections for 2026!
This session will cover:
- What's New for 2026
- Current Plan Options: HDHP with HSA and PPO
- How the Plans Work
- Things to Consider When Selecting Your Plan
- What is an HSA?
- HSA Eligibility
- How to Use an HSA
- HSA Benefits
- How to Open Your HSA Account
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
Unable to attend an informational session? View the recordings below:
Anthem/CVS Caremark Carrier Change Information Sessions
Various Dates; In-Person and Virtual
Join the Employee Benefits and Wellness Office and our new Medical and Pharmacy carriers, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and CVS Caremark, for an informative session that will focus on medical plan network, formulary, transition of care, member tools, and support.
- Wednesday, November 12, 2025 2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.; 1111 E. Broad St. Room 09
- Thursday, November 13, 2025 11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.; Virtual Webinar
- *CVS Caremark only, Session will be recorded for playback*
- Friday, November 14, 2025 11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.;Virtual
- *Anthem only, Session will be recorded for playback*
- Tuesday, November 18, 2025 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.; 1111 E. Broad St. Room 09
- Thursday, November 20, 2025 2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.; 1111 E. Broad St. Room 09
2026 Combined PPO & HDHP Open Enrollment Home Mailer
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Wanting to know more about your 2026 Plan options?
Review your 2026 Combined PPO & HDHP Open Enrollment Home Mailer for plan information.
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Colonial Life Open Enrollment November 3 - December 15
Between now and December 15 2025, you have the flexibility to schedule a virtual or telephonic consultation through PES-One.
Click here to schedule your session. You can also email support@pes-one.com for assistance.
During your consultation, a Benefit Consultant will personally walk you through your Colonial Life benefit options and help you make confident choices for you and your family If you have a dependent you are caring for, you may be eligible to participate in a Dependent Care Account.
Important Change Coming in 2026
Beginning February 1, 2026, the City of Columbus will be transitioning to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for medical coverage and CVS Caremark for pharmacy coverage. For your 2026 elections, January 1, 2026 - January 31, 2026, medical and pharmacy coverage will remain under United Healthcare/OptumRx. Starting on February 1, 2026, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will be your new medical and CVS Caremark will be the new pharmacy carrier. Transition communication and ID cards will be provided prior to February 1, 2026.
Provider Lookup - Anthem
As part of the upcoming transition to Anthem medical coverage effective February 1, 2026, employees can now begin checking the link below to see if their current doctors, specialists and hospitals participate in the Anthem network. Employees will receive an Anthem ID card in the month of January, prior to February 1, 2026. The ID number on the card will allow employees to register on the Anthem site and login to use the Find Care tool. Other features will be available on February 1, 2026.
A separate CVS Caremark prescription lookup tool will be available soon to help you confirm your medications and pharmacy coverage; we'll share that link as soon as it's available to ensure you have complete and accurate information.
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Here is a quick link to Find Care: National PPO (BlueCard PPO)
- (No need to login)
- Click Update Location
- Enter your zip code
- Click continue
- Enter your Care Provider’s name
- Click the Care Provider’s name below
- Green Checkmark shows if Care Provider is In-Network
If you have questions please email our office or you can also engage with your providers and ask if they accept coverage under the National PPO (BlueCard PPO) Network Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
National PPO (BlueCard PPO) is the name of the network we are using for our Anthem plan.
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