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Cochise County HR outlines 2026–27 benefits changes; open enrollment runs April 1–30
Summary
Cochise County Human Resources summarized 2026–2027 benefits changes — including rate increases, new ID cards, a new Humana dental network, a lower telehealth co-pay for EPO plans and the addition of Diggby Health Solutions — and reminded employees open enrollment is April 1–30 with changes effective July 1, 2026.
Jennifer Graham, Cochise CountyHR director, opened the presentation and introduced the county benefits team, saying the countyis holding open enrollment from April 1 through April 30 and that any changes must be submitted in ADP by April 30 to be effective July 1, 2026.
"Open enrollment takes place April 1st through April 30th and is the only time a year you can make changes to your benefits without a qualifying event," Sarah Daffler said, outlining the enrollment window and the ADP submission requirement.
The presentation focused on several plan changes and program additions that affect employees in all medical tiers. Daffler said all insured members will receive new ID cards and that medical plans will experience rate increases for the coming plan year. She called out specific design changes in the EPO buyup tier: the individual deductible rose from $300 to $400 and the family deductible rose from $900 to $1,200; telehealth co-pays for EPO and EPO buyup plans will be $30 per visit (down from $45).
"Diggby is a cutting-edge platform that combines genetics, gut microbiome insights, and behavioral coaching to deliver personalized solutions for weight management, chronic conditions, and overall health," Daffler said when introducing a new digital health offering being added to the benefits lineup.
Kyra Fletcher reviewed the Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plan design, noting its in-network focus (emergencies excepted), the combined medical-and-prescription maximum out-of-pocket ($9,100 individual; $18,200 family), and standard co-pay levels: $30 for a primary care visit, $45 for specialists and urgent care, and $250 for emergency-room visits. Fletcher also described prescription-fill options (retail 30-day, retail 90-day, and mail-order 90-day) and encouraged employees to consult the summary of benefits on the HR website for full premium and drug-list details.
On the high-deductible health plan (HDHP), Brian Trovinho said there are no co-pays, that in-network maximum out-of-pocket amounts increased to $3,400 for individuals and $6,800 for families, and that telehealth remains available at no cost for HDHP enrollees. He summarized HSA features and IRS contribution limits for 2026: $4,400 for individuals and $8,750 for families, with a $1,000 catch-up contribution available to those 55 and older. Trovinho said the county contributes approximately $19.23 per pay period to employees' HSAs (about $500 per year) and reiterated wellness incentives tied to HSA funding.
The county also announced Humana as the new dental network; Fletcher said some providers not previously in network may now be covered. Vision rates were described as rising slightly. The presentation covered life insurance and supplemental life options (county-provided and voluntary plans), dependent and medical flexible spending account rules (2026 medical FSA IRS maximum $3,400 with a $680 carryover; dependent-care FSA maximums $3,750 for single filers and $7,500 for joint filers), and the countypartnership with FedLogic for benefits navigation.
Staff closed with practical reminders: employees enrolled in FSAs or HDHP/HSA participants who wish to change HSA contributions must re-enroll by April 30 in ADP; beneficiaries may be updated at any time; and one-on-one appointments with the benefits team or Nationwide (retirement vendor) are available for personal counseling. For scheduling, the HR team provided a contact number: 520-432-9700.
Open enrollment runs April 1through April 30; employees seeking plan details, exact premium figures, or the drug list were directed to the employee benefits page on the HR website and to schedule one-on-one appointments for individualized questions.
