Medical: The university’s medical carrier will change to Blue Cross Blue Shield effective January 1, 2026.
Pharmacy: The university will also utilize a separate pharmacy benefit manager, Rightway Healthcare effective January 1, 2026. Employees can expect changes to the formulary, which is customary with any vendor change or new plan year.
If you participate in the university’s High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), your Health Savings Account (HSA) will have a blackout period. The HSA is moving from HSA Bank with Cigna to HSA Bank with BCBS. This blackout period will occur November 12-21; you will be unable to use your HSA card during this time. If you incur qualified expenses during this blackout period, you will be able to submit a reimbursement request to HSA Bank following the blackout period.
Medical: In 2026, OU medical premiums will increase by 6.4%.
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Employees enrolled in the PPO plan will see their monthly contributions rise, ranging from $4.30 per month (employee only, Tier 1) to $54.02 (employee + family, Tier 3).
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Participants in the HDHP will see monthly contribution increases ranging from $1.68 (employee only, Tier 1) to $35.32 (employee + family, Tier 3).
Dental: Employee rates will increase by 9.72%, with monthly increases ranging from $3.04 to $8.70 on the basic plan, and $5.02 to $14.38 on the alternate plan.
No change in deductibles for 2026:
BCBS PPO Plan
PPO In-Network Deductible: $2,000 individual / $4,000 family
BCBS High Deductible Health Plan
HDHP In-Network Deductible: $4,300 individual / $8,600 family
No Change to Out-of-Pocket Maximums in 2026:
BCBS PPO Plan
PPO In-Network Out-of-Pocket Maximums: $6,000 individual / $12,000 family
PPO In-Network Pharmacy Out-of-Pocket Maximums: $3,200 individual / $6,400 family
BCBS High Deductible Health Plan
HDHP In-Network Out-of-Pocket Maximums: $7,750 individual / $15,500 family
Maximum annual HSA contribution is: $4,400 individual / $8,750 family.
Also, there is a $1,000 catch-up contribution for individuals 55 and older.
No changes to co-pays or co-insurance in 2026:
BCBS PPO Plan
PPO In-Network Co-Pay: $25 Primary Care/ $35 Specialist/ $50 Urgent Care
PPO In-Network Co-Insurance: 85/15
BCBS High Deductible Health Plan
HDHP In-Network Co-Insurance: 85/15
Employees on the HDHP plan will continue to pay towards the deductible for urgent care visits.
The university will continue to offer navigation services through Garner and ZERO Health in 2026.
Garner Health: The University of Oklahoma has partnered with Garner to help you and your dependents find top doctors in your area and receive reimbursement* for eligible costs when you visit them. These doctors follow best practices to keep you healthier. Find out more on our Garner Health webpage.
*For those on the HDHP, the IRS minimum deductible for 2026 ($1,700 for individual coverage and $3,400 for family coverage) must be met before qualifying for reimbursement. Please note, expenses paid toward the IRS minimum deductible are not reimbursable.
ZERO Health: OU has partnered with ZERO to help alleviate the financial burdens of healthcare. Members on the University's medical plan can receive scheduled healthcare for $0* out of pocket. No copays. No deductibles. No coinsurance. Find out more on our ZERO Health webpage.
*Employees on the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) must meet the IRS minimum deductible for 2026 ($1,700 for individual coverage and $3,400 for family coverage) before becoming eligible to use ZERO.
BCBS Dental will continue to serve as your dental insurance for 2026. BlueCare Dental PPO offers you and your family access to one of the largest national dental PPO networks of providers.
As a reminder, impacted teeth will only be covered under the dental plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield. For employees who have OU health care coverage, the medical provider will cover impacted teeth only in the case of an emergency.
Finding a dentist is easy, for a list of in-network general and specialty dentists, go to bcbsok.com and use the Provider Finder® tool by clicking on “Find a Doctor or Hospital” and then on “Find a Dentist” on the left side of the page. Select your plan’s BlueCare Dental PPO network (Traditional National PPO). You can search for a dentist near your home, school, or office.
There is no change to virtual care plan design in 2026. Virtual care is offered through MDLive.
BCBS PPO Plan
PPO In-Network Virtual Care Co-Pay: Primary $25 / Specialist $35
BCBS High Deductible Health Plan
HDHP In-Network Virtual Care Cost: Deducible, then 85/15
Cost for visits under the HDHP are subject to the deductible and vary based on provider and type of visit.
Includes charges for the delivery of medical and health-related services and consultations by dedicated virtual providers as medically appropriate through audio, video, and secure internet-based technologies.