Changes Explained

Comparing the New Medical Plans

All AEP Medical Plans include $0 in-network preventive care—such as annual physicals and screenings—and $0 for drugs on the No-Cost Drug List.

The main differences between the PPO and HSA Plans is HOW and WHEN you pay for health care.

PPO Plan


Higher Monthly Premium

Lower Deductible

Most office visits are paid with a low copay

HSA Plans


Lower Monthly Premium

Higher Deductible (how much YOU pay before the Plan pays)

You pay all expenses, until your deductible is met

You can budget for out-of-pocket expenses by funding a Health Savings Account (HSA)

What happens if I change my Medical Plan for 2026?

This chart helps you understand how switching from your current 2025 Medical Plan to a new 2026 Plan may impact you.

  • Find your current 2025 Plan in the left column.
  • Look across the row to see what changes apply if you enroll in a different Plan for 2026.
  • Each box explains what you can expect—such as eligibility for HSA and whether any funds will be forfeited.
Plan Changes
2026 Classic PPO Plan
2026 HSA Premium Plan
2026 HSA Value Plan
2026 HRA Plan
2025 HSA Plus Plan
  • You can not contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) for 2026, but can use funds in an existing HSA.
  • Lower deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.
  • You will have lower participant contribution amounts.
  • You will have a higher deductible and higher non-embedded out-of-pocket maximum.
  • Not open to new enrollees.
2025 HSA Basic Plan
  • You can not contribute to an HSA for 2026, but can use funds in an existing HSA.
  • Lower deductible and embedded out-of-pocket maximum.
  • The deductible and out-of-pocket maximum is non-embedded.
  • Not open to new enrollees.
2025 HRA Plan
  • Your accumulated HRA funds will be forfeited.
  • You may be eligible to contribute to an HSA.
  • Your accumulated HRA funds will be forfeited.
  • You may be eligible to contribute to an HSA.
  • Your accumulated HRA funds will be forfeited.
  • No changes to Plan design.

2026 Medical Plans

The three new Plans will have deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums determined at either the participant only or family (participant + 1 or more) level.

Medical Plan Details (In-network)
Classic PPO Plan
HSA Premium Plan
HSA Value Plan
HRA Plan (Closed to new entrants)
Annual Company Contribution to HRA
N/A
N/A
N/A
Participant: $1,000 Participant + spouse* or child(ren): $1,500 Family: $2,000
Deductible
Participant: $750
Family: $1,500
Participant: $1,800
Family: $3,400
Participant: $3,300
Family: $6,000
Participant: $1,500
Participant + spouse* or child(ren): $2,250
Family: $3,000
Coinsurance
20% after deductible
15% after deductible
20% after deductible
15% after deductible
Out-of-Pocket Maximum
Participant: $1,500
Family: $3,000
Individual: $3,400
Family: $6,000
(Embedded)**
Participant: $6,000
Family: $9,200
Participant: $4,000
Participant + spouse* or child(ren): $6,000
Family: $8,000
Preventive Care
Covered at 100%
Covered at 100%
Covered at 100%
Covered at 100%
Office Visits
Primary care: $25 copay
Specialist & urgent care: $50 copay
15% after deductible
20% after deductible
15% after deductible
Emergency Room
$200 copay + deductible & coinsurance
15% after deductible
20% after deductible
15% after deductible
Prescription Drugs
20%, no deductible
15% after deductible
20% after deductible
15% after deductible
No-Cost Drug List
$0
$0
$0
$0
* The participant + spouse coverage tier includes coverage for domestic partners. See aepbenefits.com for more details.
** The HSA Premium Plan has an embedded out-of-pocket maximum meaning each person covered will be capped at the individual limit shown until the overall family limits have been met.
What is a Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Maximum?
What is Embedded vs. Non-embedded?

2026 Dental Plans

2 new Dental Plan options will be available in 2026, both offering the broad Aetna Dental PPO network. The biggest differences between the Plans are the annual maximum and orthodontia coverage.

Dental Plan Details
Base Plan
Buy-Up Plan
Annual Deductible (The amount you pay before the Plan pays.)
$50 participant only/$150 family
$25 participant only/$75 family
Maximum Annual Benefit
(The maximum amount the Plan will pay in a year. Includes costs for 100% Plan-paid services, excludes orthodontia.)
$1,500 maximum per year per covered person
$2,500 maximum per year per covered person
Preventive Care
100% covered, no deductible (Subject to frequency limits)
100% covered, no deductible (Subject to frequency limits)
Basic Services
80% after deductible
90% after deductible
Major Services
50% after deductible
60% after deductible
Orthodontics coverage
None
60% adults and children
Orthodontics lifetime benefit maximum
N/A
$2,500 per covered person
Out-of-network benefits
Visit any licensed dentist to receive benefits.
You will typically pay lower out-of-pocket costs if you choose a dentist who participates in the Aetna Dental network.
Visit any licensed dentist to receive benefits.
You will typically pay lower out-of-pocket costs if you choose a dentist who participates in the Aetna Dental network.
Procedures NOT covered
You are responsible for the cost of procedures not covered by your Plan.
Note: Aetna’s Preferred Dental Program dentists offer discounts on procedures not covered by the Plan.
You are responsible for the cost of procedures not covered by your Plan.
Note: Aetna’s Preferred Dental Program dentists offer discounts on procedures not covered by the Plan.
Find an In-Network Provider >
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This guide is not intended to be a Plan document, Summary Plan Description, or required notice with respect to any of the Plans mentioned. AEP reserves the right to modify, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plans at any time. Refer to the applicable Plan document if you have any questions relating to a specific Plan or benefit.