Need Help?
If you have questions about enrolling in benefits, contact Ascension HR Central at 844-847-4747
Ascension benefits 2026 open enrollment
Your guide to this year's benefit options.
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What's new this year
Download this overview to see what’s new for 2026 and review changes to benefits and medical plans.
Watch this video to learn more about each medical plan.
Download and review additional details about each medical plan.
Frequently asked questions
General plan information
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What is SmartHealth? [PAGE B FAQ GROUP]SmartHealth is Ascension’s medical plan, designed using our vast healthcare experience. It’s only available to Ascension associates and their families.
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Where do I learn about my other benefits such as vision, dental, prescription drug coverage, life insurance, retirement planning and other voluntary benefits?Information about all benefits can be viewed in the 2026 Benefits overview guide.
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How do I change my voluntary benefits?
myAscension Benefits Advantage manages our voluntary benefits. Enrollment for voluntary benefits ends Nov. 11.
You can make changes or enroll in coverage here. Or call myAscension Benefits Advantage at 855-339-3900.
Enrollment process & deadlines
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If I don't enroll or update my benefits, what happens?
If you are currently enrolled in benefits, most elections will carry over to next year unless one of the following occurs:
- You have a healthcare or dependent-care flexible spending account (FSA) — these contributions do not carry over.
- There was a plan change with a currently enrolled election.
- You’re a new associate hired on or after Oct. 30, 2025 — you will need to enroll for 2026 medical benefits because your 2025 medical election will not automatically carry over.
- You’re enrolled in a medical plan — the spousal surcharge will be automatically applied unless you go into the open enrollment portal to remove it.
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I submitted my elections and want to make changes to them. What should I do?You can continue to access your enrollment banner on myAscension and make changes during your enrollment window. If your enrollment window has ended, you can enroll or make changes during the correction period, Nov. 14–18.
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Can I make changes after open enrollment ends?Only if you have a qualifying life event, like getting married or having a child.
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What do I do if I can’t find my open enrollment banner on myAscension?Your enrollment can be accessed from myAscension. If you are currently in your enrollment window and can’t open your enrollment, contact HR Central at 844-847-4747.
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Why do I get an error when I click my open enrollment banner?Your enrollment window may have closed. You can enroll or make changes during the correction period, Nov. 14–18. If you are currently in your enrollment window, contact HR Central at 844-847-4747.
Costs & premiums
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How do I know what my premiums will be?Medical premiums are paid through biweekly payroll deductions, which may vary by market. Additionally, full-time associates are placed in pay bands based on annual base pay, which determines costs for medical coverage. To view your biweekly medical premiums, log in to myHR and view the Medical Coverage page of the Pay & Benefits Guidebook.
Health accounts & contributions
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What’s the difference between a Health Savings Account (HSA) and a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?
- An HSA is a savings account that you and Ascension contribute to annually, and the funds can be rolled over each year. Review the 2026 Benefits overview guide to determine contribution amounts.
- An FSA is a tax-free account that can be used for medical expenses; Ascension doesn’t contribute to the FSA and $660 of unused funds can be rolled over to the new plan year.
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Can I change how much I contribute to my HSA or FSA?
- HSA: Yes, you can change your contribution amount any time. Log in to myHR to view how to update your contribution amount.
- FSA: No, your contribution amount cannot be changed after open enrollment, unless you experience a qualifying life event, like getting married or having a child.
Dependents & coverage
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How do I remove my dependents who no longer need coverage?During open enrollment, uncheck the box next to the name of the dependent(s) who no longer need coverage and check the box next to the dependent(s) you want covered. Ascension cannot remove dependents from your records.
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What should I do if I sign up for spouse and/or child life insurance and cannot update the beneficiary?You do not need to elect a spouse and child life insurance beneficiary because the beneficiary is always the associate who elects the policy.
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What is a spousal surcharge?This is a fee applied to associate spouses and legally domiciled beneficiaries (18 years and older) enrolled in an Ascension medical plan who also have the ability to enroll in medical insurance coverage through their employer.
Support & resources
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Who can I contact for more information?For help in enrolling in benefits, contact Ascension HR Central at 844-847-4747.