Average Weekly Hours

Part-time employees will now need to average 23 hours over an evaluation period to become eligible for the Full Benefits Plan. This change will begin with the evaluation period that runs from October 3, 2025, to October 4, 2026, and determines eligibility for the 2027 plan year.

Dependent Audit

After Open Enrollment ends, if you have elected dependent coverage (i.e., coverage for a child, spouse or life partner), you’ll be required to submit documentation to verify that the dependents you have enrolled in health care coverage meet the rules as defined in REI’s health plan. Our third-party administrator, Verifi1, will mail you information related to this required documentation in January.

Aetna High Performance Networks (HPN) – Saver and Choice Medical Plans

REI is committed to providing you with access to high-quality health care providers. As part of this focus, we’re moving to Aetna’s High-Performance Network for our Saver and Choice Medical Plans.

The High-Performance Network is a specialized network of high-performing doctors, hospital and health care providers selected by Aetna based on quality and cost-efficiency. With this network, the Saver and Choice Medical Plans will now give you access to Tier 1 and Tier 2 providers. If you use Tier 1 providers—or top-performing doctors, hospitals and clinics—the plan will pay more for your care. If you use Tier 2 providers, you’ll still receive coverage, but the plan will pay less for your care at the time of service. Contact the Health Guide at 1-800-451-2967 for more information.

Out-of-Network Reimbursement Level

The reimbursement level for out-of-network claims is changing. If you see an out-of-network provider, the amount the plan reimburses may be lower and you could see an increase in balance billing from your out-of-network provider. To pay less for your care, find an in-network provider.

Lantern Surgery Network

If you enroll in the Saver or Choice Medical Plan, you’ll have access to Lantern in 2026. If you have a planned surgery, you can use Lantern to connect to a nationwide network of board-certified surgeons and specialists for high-quality, cost-effective surgical care. Lantern offers support from pre-surgical consultations through the surgical procedure and post-surgical follow-ups.

Hinge Health

Hinge Health will no longer be offered as a benefit for employees enrolled in the Aetna Choice or Saver Medical Plan. If you need to continue care for musculoskeletal issues, you can use the Aetna Doc Find through your medical plan to find a provider.

Pharmacy

REI is changing its pharmacy benefit providers from Express Scripts to Optum Rx. Here’s what this means for you:

• New ID cards: You’ll receive a new medical and/or pharmacy ID card from Optum Rx before the transition date. Be sure to present this card at the pharmacy starting January 1, 2026.
• Prescription transfers: Most active prescriptions will transfer automatically to Optum Rx. However, controlled substances and expired prescriptions may require a new prescription from your provider.
• Mail-order prescriptions: If you use mail order, you’ll need to set up a new account with Optum Rx. Instructions will be provided soon.
• Pharmacy network: Optum Rx has a broad network of retail pharmacies. You can check participating pharmacies at [Optum Rx website or link].

For employees in California, Colorado and Washington, we’re adding high-deductible health plan (HDHP) from Kaiser. With an HDHP, you can participate in a Health Savings Account (HSA) through HealthEquity to set aside pre-tax funds for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses. For more information—including how this plan compares to the Kaiser HMO plan—see the benefits plan information and costs tool.

Health Care FSA Rollover

Beginning in 2026, there are two changes to HCFSA rollovers.

1. The HCFSA rollover limit will align to the IRS maximum. If you elect an HCFSA or Limited-Use Health Care FSA, you’ll be allowed to roll over $660.
2. Funds that roll over into the next calendar year must be spent down or they will forfeit at the end of the year if no new HCFSA election is made.