Last Wednesday, the Board of Regents approved the 2025 University System of Georgia (USG) healthcare plans and premiums for active employees and pre-65 retirees.

The system continues to experience increasing costs within the healthcare market, including inflation and rising prescription drug costs. This unfortunately impacts the USG healthcare plan. There will be plan design changes and premium increases for all plans, while health promotion programs will continue to be available to support employees’ health. As USG has done in the past, cost increases for 2025 will be shared between employees and employer.

The following was approved for 2025:

Increases in deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, co-insurance, and/or co-pays across all USG healthcare plans.
Increases in monthly employee premiums of between $9 to $65, depending on the plan and coverage tier.
The well-being program will continue, and an incentive of up to $100 for employees and covered spouses will be available for completing designated health promotion activities through the healthcare provider (Anthem or Kaiser).
Weight loss support program will be available through Weight Watchers for employees and spouses enrolled in the USG healthcare plans.
For employees enrolled in the Consumer Choice HSA plan, the contribution will continue at $375 for employee only coverage and at $750 for family coverage.
Tobacco and working spouse surcharges will continue at $150 per month. Certification of status is required each enrollment year, or the surcharge will apply. Certification must be done during Open Enrollment in OneUSG Connect – Benefits system. Information is available at: https://benefits.usg.edu/health-and-well-being/surcharges.

A summary of the approved healthcare plan design changes and premiums is available on the Benefits website.

The 2025 Open Enrollment period will be Oct. 28 through Nov. 8. Please complete your 2025 enrollment elections and certifications through OneUSG Connect – Benefits no later than Nov. 8.

You are also invited to attend Georgia Highland’s benefits fair:

October 29th- Cartersville

October 31st-Floyd

We encourage all employees to attend the fair to learn about the changes to the 2025 benefit plans and about all the benefits USG and Georgia Highlands College have to offer. Information will also be mailed to your home just prior to the open enrollment period.