Open Enrollment

Monday, October 20, through Friday, November 7

Open enrollment ends on Friday, November 7, at 11:59 p.m.  Elections are effective on January 1, 2026, with the first deductions being taken in December 2025.  The first FSA deduction will be taken in January 2026.  

Even if you are not changing your elections, you are encouraged to complete an active enrollment for 2026.

 

Additional Information

2026 State Health Decision Guide

2026 Open Enrollment Guide

What's Changing for 2026?

Medical - State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP)

Premiums will increase for all medical plan options in 2026, with a weighted average increase of 10%, depending on the selected Plan Option and Tier.

To help medical plan members save more by using Tier 1/Generic prescriptions, the Tier 1 copays will be reduced, and the copays for Tiers 2 and 3 will have a slight increase for the HMO and HRA plans.

There are no changes to medical plan benefits or coverage options.

You are not required to complete an active election for medical to carry forward to 2026, but this is a great time to access the SHBP enrollment portal to review your enrollment information and print a Confirmation Statement for your records.  If you do not enroll, your medical benefits will carry forward to 2026.  This includes any applicable tobacco surcharge. 

Click here to enroll in your SHBP benefits. 

 

Voluntary Benefits (Non-Medical)

  • A new hospital indemnity benefit will be offered, providing financial protection in the event of an expected or unexpected hospital stay.
  • There are no other benefit changes for 2026. 
  • The Healthcare FSA maximum is $3,400 and the Dependent Care FSA maximum is $7,500. An active election is required each year to participate in the FSA plan(s). 

Additional enrollment instructions are available in the 2026 Open Enrollment Guide.  Below are some additional updates for your voluntary benefits.

Click here to enroll in your Voluntary benefits.

 

Benefits Service Center

Call the Ware County Schools Benefits Service Center at (844) 703-1852 to complete your local benefits enrollment by phone.

The Benefits Specialist will confirm your personal information, review your plan options, and confirm your elections for 2026.

  • Monday through Thursday: 8:00 a.m.  - 6:00 p.m.
  • Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

State Health Benefit Plan Medical Plan


Adding Dependents to Your Medical Plan?

If you wish to add dependents to your health plan at this time, ADP will contact you by mail and email to request appropriate verification documents. This communication from ADP will include a personalized fax cover sheet with a bar code that must be used when submitting documentation.

Appropriate documentation must be attached to the fax cover page. If you do not receive the request, contact SHBP at (800) 610-1863 to have the request sent to you. Your dependents will not be covered until the documentation is approved.

 

Sharecare BeWell Information

The BeWell wellness program activities and incentive requirements remain the same for 2026.  Unused well-being incentive credits will roll over to 2026, even if you change your medical plan. Sharecare will also continue to administer the wellness program.

 

There's Still Time to Earn 2025 Well-Being Incentive Credits

Anthem and UnitedHealthcare Plan Options: Members and covered spouses currently enrolled in Anthem and United Healthcare Plan Options who have not completed the required health actions have until December 2, 2025 to complete all required actions, and Submit the Physician Screening Form to earn the well-being incentive points.

If you have questions or need help getting started, visit www.BeWellSHBP.com or contact Sharecare at (888) 616-6411.


2025 Rollover Credits Regardless of what Plan Option you select, all unused well-being incentive credits earned in 2025 will automatically roll over to the 2026 Plan Option you choose during Open Enrollment. SHBP will deposit your unused credits in the incentive account associated with your 2025 plan selection in April 2026. If you remain with the same Medical Claims Administrator and in the same Plan Option in which you were enrolled in 2025, rollover credits will be available immediately.

 

Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) for Plan Options

SHBP provides a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) for the following Plan Options: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).  SBCs include standard information that help you to understand, evaluate and compare the Plan Options as you make decisions about which Plan Option to choose.

The SBCs are available online at www.shbp.georgia.gov and you may request a paper copy of the SBCs free of charge by calling SHBP Member Services at (800) 610-1863.

 

Important Plan Reminders

All members must provide SHBP with their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) for themselves and their enrolled dependents upon enrolling in SHBP coverage. The most common type of TIN is a Social Security Number (SSN), but for individuals who are not eligible for a SSN, members may submit an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Adoption Taxpayer Identification Number (ATIN). Failure to submit a TIN will result in a loss of coverage and no refund will be issued.

The requirement to provide a SSN or other TIN is a separate process from Dependent Verification. Dependents whose coverage is terminated due to providing an invalid SSN or no SSN are not eligible for coverage even if they passed the Dependent Verification process as they have failed to provide a valid SSN to SHBP.

Members should provide their dependent’s SSN by entering it directly into the SHBP Enrollment Portal at https://myshbpga.adp.com/shbp/ or by calling SHBP Member Services at (800) 610-1863.

Voluntary Plan Updates


  • There is a new Hospital Indemnity plan being offered for 2026. 
  • There are no changes to dental, vision, life insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, critical illness, or accident plans.

Enrollment Instructions


Even if you are not changing your elections, you are strongly encouraged to complete an active enrollment for 2026. All benefits, with the exception of the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) will continue if no action is taken. 


FSA Participants: You must actively elect to participate in the FSA plan every year by enrolling during Open Enrollment.

 

Medical (SHBP): Log on to https://myshbpga.adp.com/shbp.  You will likely need to reset your password.  Be sure to print and retain your SHBP Confirmation Statement once you have completed your medical enrollment for 2026. 

 

Voluntary Benefits (non-medical): Call the Benefits Service Center at (844) 703-1852 or access the Enroll Now link on the home page of this website.

  • Telephonic Enrollment: The Ware County Schools Benefits Service Center is available Monday - Thursday from 8am - 6pm and Friday from 8am - 5pm.  You can speak with a trained Benefits Specialist who will answer your benefits questions and complete your enrollment.  English and Spanish Benefits Specialists are available to assist you.
  • Online Enrollment: Access Enroll Now. Click on “Get Started Now” to begin. You will be prompted to enter the email address, last four digits of your Social Security Number, and date of birth.  The system will identify you by these credentials and allow you to create a password.  Once you have logged in, you will be able to complete your enrollment. You can complete your benefit elections by clicking “Begin Enrollment” and following the prompts.
  • You will receive a Confirmation Statement via email following the completion of your enrollment.

Resetting Your SHBP Password


How to Reset Your Password

Step 1: Go to www.myshbpga.adp.com and click "Need help signing in?".

Step 2: Enter the requested demographic information. 

Step 3: Follow the instructions to answer a series of security questions*.

Step 4: Create a new password and click "Continue."

* Note: If you do not know the answers to the security questions, contact SHBP Member Services at (800) 610-1863 for assistance in resetting your password.  You will have three tries in total to answer the security questions before your account is locked and you must begin the process again.

Open Enrollment Checklists


SHBP Open Enrollment Checklist

► Verify all desired dependents are listed on the Confirmation Page and have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or other Tax Identification Number (TIN).

► Verify your coverage tier: you only, you + spouse, you + child(ren) or you + family.

► Confirm that the Plan Option selected shown on the Confirmation Page is correct.

► Confirm that you answered the Tobacco Surcharge question appropriately.

► Confirm that you have clicked "Finish".

► Print Confirmation Page and save it for your records.

► Look for new medical plan ID cards to be issued by early January.

 

Voluntary Benefits Open Enrollment Checklist

► Be sure to confirm your email address by phone or online during your enrollment.

► Upon completion of your enrollment, you will receive a voluntary benefits Confirmation Statement via email to the address on record.

► Review your voluntary benefits Confirmation Statement for accuracy and retain it for your records.

► Verify the accuracy of your life insurance beneficiary information.

► Contact the Benefits Service Center if you have any updates or corrections to your voluntary benefits Confirmation Statement.

 

Note: You may complete enrollment changes multiple times, but the last option confirmed at the close of OE will be your option for 2026 unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event that allows you to make a change.

Open Enrollment Sessions


Benefit Service Center Representatives will be available to assist you with 2026 enrollment:

Wednesday, October 29

  • 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Transportation Department | 1870 W Wacona Drive
  • 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. 
  • Central Office - Room 202 | 1301 Bailey Street

 

Thursday, October 30

  • 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Central Office - Room 202 | 1301 Bailey Street