Your health doesn’t start or stop with Annual Benefits Enrollment. When you make smart choices — like finding the plan that’s right for you and your family — you benefit all year long.
Annual Benefits Enrollment for 2025 is October 28-November 15, 2024.
2025 Annual Benefits Enrollment virtual Teams Live events
Attend our virtual Teams Live events to learn more about your options and get your benefits questions answered.
To join a virtual Teams Live event:
CITY | DATE | TIME |
---|---|---|
GUAM Teams Live event (content will be specific to Guam-based employees) | 10/24/2024 | 9:00-10:00 a.m. (GMT) |
ALL Teams Live event | 10/25/2024 | 9:00-10:00 a.m. (CT) |
ALL Teams Live event | 11/01/2024 | 1:00-2:00 p.m. (CT) |
SFO Teams Live event (content will be specific to SFO-based employees) | 11/04/2024 | 9:00-10:00 a.m. (PT) |
U.S. based employees Teams Live event exploring the benefits of a Health Savings Account (hosted by Fidelity) | 11/06/2024 | 9:00-10:00 a.m. (CT) |
ALL Teams Live event | 11/08/2024 | 9:00-10:00 a.m. (CT) |
ALL Teams Live event | 11/13/2024 | 3:00-4:00 p.m. (CT) |
Understanding the plan terms and specifics
Deductible
The amount you are responsible for paying before the plan begins to pay a percentage of covered expenses. Typically, if you select a higher deductible plan, it means you’ll pay a lower monthly premium.
Coinsurance
The percentage you pay for covered services or prescription drugs after you have met your deductible.
Preventive care
Annual preventive visits and age-appropriate screenings are always covered at 100% for all plan options.
Out-of-pocket maximum
The most you’ll have to pay for covered medical expenses in a plan year; after you meet this amount, the plan will cover any additional eligible expenses at 100%.
Copay
A fixed amount you pay for covered services or prescription drugs, typically at the time you receive the services.
Premium
The amount you pay per month for your health insurance plan. You continue to pay the premium even after you’ve met your deductible.
Who pays and when
New benefit offerings
We’re committed to continue investing in quality programs to support your wellness. In that spirit, we’re proud to announce our new partnership with Lyra. Mental health can affect how we show up in the workplace, at home and everywhere life takes us. Lyra offers comprehensive, supportive solutions personalized to both employees and their families including self-care, individual, couples and family therapy.
Lyra, mental health and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
United has partnered with Lyra Health to offer all United employees comprehensive mental health and EAP services. Lyra offers 24/7 access to self-care tools, no-cost therapy and mental health coaching sessions to you, your spouse/qualified domestic partner and your dependents.
With Lyra, you have:
Services offered through Lyra are available now. Visit lyrahealth.com/united.
For more information about Lyra and other benefits available through Wayfinder, go to YBR > Flying Together> Employee Services> Wellness-Physical, Emotional and Financial (Wayfinder).
Maven, women’s and family health benefits
Maven is a flexible women’s and family health solution that delivers in-depth care from family planning through midlife.
With Maven, you have:
Services offered through Maven will be available starting January 1, 2025.
For more information about Maven, go to mavenclinic.com/join/UnitedAirlines.
Choose from four different types of health plans
All these plans offer prescription drug coverage, a network of reputable doctors and hospitals, access to virtual primary and mental healthcare, an on-call medical concierge, and free health and wellness tools.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) with an HSA
The United Savings PPO offers the most freedom when it comes to choosing the doctors and hospitals you want to use both in- and out-of-network at one of the lowest premiums of all the plans. It’s a high-deductible health plan that works with an HSA account that is yours for life.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
The United PPO and the United PPO 1250 offer the ability for you to use both in- and out-of-network doctors, specialists and facilities.
Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO)
The Centivo Platinum Plus EPO, the United Silver Plus PPO and the Bronze EPO offer lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs than our PPO plan options, but limit you to providers within an exclusive network of doctors, hospitals and specialists that meet the highest quality and cost standards. There are no out-of-network benefits, except in the case of an emergency.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
The HMO Plans offer the benefit of lower premiums and generally predictable out-of-pocket costs for individuals willing to work closely with their primary care physician (PCP) to manage their health. HMO options are available to employees within defined states.
Before selecting a plan, ask yourself:
• Do you need help selecting the plan right for you?
• Do you go to the doctor often?
• Are you good at saving and don't have a lot of healthcare needs outside of your annual physical?
Remember that before you enroll:
It’s time to pick the health plan that’s right for you and your family, so you can use these benefits resources to make the best choice and benefit all year long. So before enrolling in a plan, remember that:
Why an HSA might be the way to go:
An HSA (Health Savings Account) is a savings tool that helps you pay for qualified medical expenses and is designed to work with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). This option is specific to the United Savings PPO and Core HDHP with an HSA.
Some of its many benefits include:
Low premiums
No "use it or lose it" rule for money in your HSA account
Triple-tax savings, as long as you use your HSA for eligible healthcare expenses
Funds roll over from year to year, and the money is yours to keep even if you leave United or retire
You can change how much you contribute to your HSA via payroll deductions at anytime
Automatic Critical Illness Insurance is included in the United Savings PPO
Earning wellness incentives up to $800 for individuals, $1,600 for families after you receive your annual physical by the deadline ($750/$1,500 is automatically funded if enrolled in the Core HDHP plan)
Triple-tax savings.
With an HSA, your money goes in tax-free, earns interest tax-free, and is tax-free when you withdraw money — as long as you use for eligible healthcare expenses. You can roll over funds from year to year, and the money is yours to keep even if you leave United or retire.
Keep in mind, if you elect to use the HSA investment platform, there is a nominal service fee you are responsible for paying. However, gains on your investments are tax-free.
A few ways you might use an HSA:
If you’re anticipating a big healthcare expense in the future, such as having a baby, an HSA is a good strategy for setting aside money, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected expenses later.
If you were previously spending $300 a month on your monthly premiums, but the United Savings PPO has reduced that amount to $200, you can apply your monthly savings to your HSA to offset your deductible or out-of-pocket costs on a pre-tax basis.
If you plan on changing jobs or using the money next year, your HSA will always be there. It is a rollover account, which means unused funds are never lost and are tax-deferred.
How Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) can help you save:
An FSA provides you with a tax-free way to set money aside and pay for healthcare expenses that are not covered under the medical, dental or vision plans and/or pay for dependent care expenses.
How it works: FSAs allow you to contribute a portion of your salary to:
A “general-purpose” Health Care FSA (HCFSA) can be used to reimburse you for eligible healthcare expenses, such as medical, dental, and vision expenses. If you enroll in a health plan other than the United Savings PPO or Core HDHP, you will be eligible to contribute to a general-purpose HCFSA for 2025.
A “limited-purpose” Health Care FSA (HCFSA) can only be used to reimburse you for eligible healthcare expenses for certain unreimbursed dental and vision services. If you are enrolled in the United Savings PPO or Core HDHP, you will be eligible to contribute to a limited-purpose HCFSA for 2025.
A Dependent Care FSA can be used to reimburse you for qualifying childcare and other dependent care expenses.
A few things to keep in mind with FSAs:
If you decide to contribute to an FSA, your contributions will automatically be made on a pre-tax basis from your paycheck and deposited in your FSA account.
After you elect to contribute to an FSA, your total annual contribution for the year will be divided into payroll deductions among the remaining payroll periods for the 2025 calendar year.
The maximum annual amount you may contribute to each FSA varies each year and is determined by the IRS.
Only the employee may enroll in an FSA, but you may submit eligible expenses you have incurred for care provided to your eligible dependents for reimbursement from your FSA.
You will be reimbursed for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses that you have incurred upon your submission of a claim for reimbursement, along with the required documentation.
The entire amount of your annual contribution election to your Health Care FSA (reduced by previous reimbursements) is available to you at all times during the calendar year. You may submit a claim for reimbursement of a healthcare expense even if you have not yet contributed enough to cover the entire amount of the claim submitted.
Your Dependent Care FSA is limited to the amount you have contributed to date. If you have expenses greater than the amount accumulated in your Dependent Care FSA, they will be reimbursed automatically as additional contributions are credited to your FSA and you do not need to resubmit your claim.
All FSA accounts have a “use it or lose it” rule.
Reminder: As of 2024, Your Spending Accounts (YSA) was rebranded as Smart-Choice.
Now is your time to choose. Find the right health plan and benefit all year long.
Let’s compare plans
Have you checked in on your wellness?
Be sure to check out Wayfinder Wellness by United, your one-stop-shop for all physical, emotional and financial wellness programs we offer to find out about benefits you may not even know we have! Wayfinder’s dedicated microsite is within YBR (Flying Together > Employee Services > Wellness- Physical, Emotional and Financial (Wayfinder)) and customized to you based on which health plan you’ve selected.
Did you know?
Dependents are generally eligible for our wellness programs offered within Wayfinder. Explore each condition-specific page for more information on eligibility.
Here’s an example of how Wayfinder works:
Remember: Your interactions with third-party vendors through Wayfinder are not tracked by United. You can access vendor web pages, call them directly, and obtain vendor services with peace of mind that your personal information will not be disclosed to United.
Frequently asked questions
Good news — we’ve made little to no changes for 2025 as we continue to focus on your physical, emotional and financial wellness through Wayfinder.
Can I have tomorrow what I have today?
Many of the primary care and mental health providers offered in our 2024 plans will be available in-network in one or more of our 2025 plans.
Employees will have a choice between plans with a broad network and plans with a smaller network of the highest quality providers. We encourage all employees to use the Find a Doctor tool during enrollment to ensure their providers are in-network with the plan they’ve selected, even if they are electing to stay in the same plan.
Where can I learn about my plan options?
We’re committed to providing you with resources to help you make informed decisions. We’re hosting virtual Live Teams events to get your top benefit questions answered, have a provider finder tool that allows you to confirm whether doctors are in-network, and offer educational resources such as Now Boarding Benefits to provide the key benefit information all in one place.
How do networks differ across plan types? Will I have to change my doctor next year?
Nearly 100% of primary care and mental health providers offered in our 2024 plans will be available in-network in one or more of our 2025 plans. You have a choice between plans with a broad network and plans with smaller, high-quality networks. Be sure to use the Find a Doctor tool on YBR to verify if your preferred provider is in-network or to find a new provider for 2025.
What do I need to do?
Here’s a list of action items to remember for this year’s Annual Benefits Enrollment:
What is a health concierge?
A health concierge is your personal health assistant. They can help with any healthcare needs you and your family may have. They can help you find a doctor, decide where to go for a procedure and find lower-cost options for prescriptions and other care. Your concierge can also answer health questions, as well as help you understand your benefits and check on claims. Dial the customer service number on the back of your health insurance ID card to be connected with your healthcare concierge or visit Wayfinder for more information.
I like my coverage for 2024 and would like to stay in my same plan for 2025. Do I need to do anything?
Your elections will automatically roll over to 2025 if you do not enroll before November 15 — no action is required on your part if you would like to keep your coverage for 2025.
We strongly encourage all employees to actively log into YBR and make sure your coverage still meets you and your family’s needs for the upcoming plan year. Even if you plan to keep the same coverage, it’s a good idea to confirm your providers are in-network. Please note, your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) elections do not carry over year to year.
What is a HSA? How do I know if I have one?
Think of a HSA as a way to build a “nest egg” for future health expenses. Any money you set aside each month to your HSA can be used for out-of-pocket healthcare costs within that same year or well into retirement.
As an added benefit, United will also contribute to your HSA each year, making your healthcare dollars stretch further. Visit YBR> Spending & Savings Accounts> Manage Your Account and click on “Eligible Expenses” in the lefthand corner menu.
Expenses to confirm what kind of expenses would be eligible for your HSA. You have a HSA through United’s HSA administrator if at any point you have been enrolled in the United Savings PPO or a United-sponsored health plan that included a HSA.
Reminder: As of 2024, Your Spending Accounts (YSA) was rebranded as Smart-Choice.
I’m currently enrolled or planning enrolling in the United Savings PPO with a Health Savings Account (HSA) for 2025. What do I need to do to receive the $800 wellness incentive?
I have dependents. For our family to get the full $1,600 into our HSA by participating in the United Savings PPO, do my dependents also need to complete the physical exam?
If your spouse or Domestic Partner is enrolled, they must also complete their physical exam to receive the additional incentive. If only you and your dependent child[ren] are enrolled, you can complete the physical and receive the full $1,600.
Can my HSA be used for dental and vision healthcare expenses as well as medical?
Yes. You can use your HSA for qualified medical, dental and vision expenses.
Where can I learn more about dental and vision insurance?
Check out the Price and Compare tool in YBR to compare dental and vision options side-by-side. You’ll be able to select dental and vision insurance as you enroll — it is the final step before confirming your Annual Benefits Enrollment for 2025 in YBR.
I'm a new hire and have questions about enrolling in my benefits for 2024 and 2025?
Welcome to United!
New employees are eligible for personalized counseling with licensed benefits counselors that you can schedule during your first 45 days of employment. Benefits counselors will walk you through 2024 and 2025 benefits offerings and can also help you enroll.
Get the information you need:
Shortly after your start date, you’ll receive information via email outlining where to go to schedule your appointment, as well as reminder calls and emails. You can also make your personalized appointment via the ‘Get Enrolled’ page on lifeatunited.com, by direct access through united.myenrollmentinfo.com or by calling 877-260-7563.
While the process to enroll with a counselor is not mandatory, it is highly encouraged for all our new benefit-eligible employees to participate. The Your Benefits Resources (YBR) enrollment platform is available if you choose to enroll in benefits on your own outside of setting an appointment.
How can I get benefits information and reminders?
Download the Alight Mobile app and sign up for text messaging. The Alight mobile app gives you coverage information on demand and opting into text messages from Alight ensures you receive enrollment updates as soon as we have them.
The Alight app is available on both the Google Play and Apple App Store for employees to download to their personal devices.
What happens if I have a dependent on my coverage who is turning 26 in 2025?
You should enroll as normal for 2025, including coverage for your dependent that will be aging out of coverage. At the beginning of the month that your dependent turns 26, the Benefits Center will send you notification that their coverage will be ending. The coverage will then run through the end of the month that they turn 26.
Once the coverage ends, your dependent will receive COBRA enrollment information. If they choose to enroll in COBRA, a separate account will be created for them and coverage will begin the day after their other coverage ended so they have no gap. After their account is created, all future communications about the coverage and billing will go to them directly. If they choose not to continue through COBRA, they will need to pick up other coverage outside of United.
I am turning 65 in 2025. How does this impact my benefits?
While you are actively working for United, Medicare will always remain secondary to your United medical plan. This means that you can decline Medicare A and B while you are actively working and continue your United plan without any penalty from Medicare.
Once you choose to separate service from United, you will need to contact Medicare to begin the enrollment process. Medicare will provide you with a CMS-L564 Form that will need to be completed to prove that you had were continuously enrolled in an active employer health plan since the date you became eligible for Medicare. If this form is completed and returned to Medicare before your start date, you can pick up Medicare B without any late enrollment penalty.
How can I tell which EPO and PPO plans are Aetna and which plans are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL)?
Each carrier is outlined in the maps within the Decision Guides, listed on the Price and Compare tool and within the enrollment process. The Decision Guide and Price and Compare tool are located on the welcome page when you begin enrollment for your convenience.
I noticed the Price and Comparison tool has both embedded and aggregate deductibles listed for United’s plans. What does this mean?
Embedded: All United health plans (other than the United Savings PPO and Core HDHP) have an embedded deductible where when an individual in a family plan meets the individual deductible, their insurance begins paying coinsurance for just that individual. When one or more covered family members either meet or combine to meet the family deductible, the family deductible is met and the plan begins paying coinsurance for all covered family members.
Aggregate: The United Savings PPO and Core HDHP have an aggregate deductible. With an aggregated plan, there is one deductible that applies to all covered family members. Once expenses for one person or any combination of covered family members meet the deductible, the plan begins paying coinsurance for all covered family members.
I have an HRA account and don’t know how to get reimbursed. What do I do?
You can submit claims online or swipe your Smart-Choice card to use your HRA funds. Some populations can set up automatic premium reimbursement for all three combined premiums of medical, dental and vision. Those eligible would be reimbursed for the previous month’s premiums around the 5th of every month.
Remember: If you are enrolled in a plan that has an HSA, your HRA dollars become limited use.
If I have an HRA and HSA, what do I do and how does that impact how I get my funds?
When you elect an HSA and have an HRA, the HRA dollars become limited use. This means that you will only be eligible to be reimbursed for dental and vision claims from HRA when you are enrolled in a plan for that includes an HSA.
What is the benefit of having both HSA and FSA?
One of the benefits of an HSA is being able to save and invest long-term, even for retirement. If you are looking to save money in your HSA but have children that need braces and glasses, it’s a way to use tax-free money to fund vision/dental and still save for future medical costs. Assuming you use all the FSA money, you can also contribute the maximum in both accounts which gives you higher limits.
Important dates to remember
Timeline for enrollment:
10/21 | Decision Guide and "Price & Compare" tool available on YBR |
10/28 | Enrollment begins |
11/15 | Enrollment ends |
01/01 | Your 2025 benefits begin |