Open enrollment begins
November 1, 2026
Beginning January 1, 2027, AEC is moving from our traditional group health insurance plan to an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA). This page walks through what's changing, what stays the same, and exactly what you need to do before open enrollment closes.
An ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement) replaces a single, employer-chosen group plan with a model where the Conference contributes a fixed amount each month toward the individual health insurance plan you choose. AEC sends that contribution directly to its benefits administrator, Remodel Health, who pays your insurance carrier on your behalf — you don't pay the carrier out of pocket and wait to be reimbursed.
AEC contributes a defined amount each month toward your health coverage, based on your employee class (for example, pastoral staff, teachers, or conference office staff) and family size. This amount is set in advance, so both you and the Conference have predictable, stable costs.
Instead of one group plan for everyone, you shop the individual health insurance market — through the ACA Marketplace or directly from a carrier — and pick the plan that fits your doctors, medications, and budget.
The Conference pays your full monthly premium cost to Remodel Health, its benefits administrator, who pays your insurance carrier directly. You do not pay the carrier yourself and then get reimbursed. If your plan costs more than the Conference's contribution, that difference is collected through payroll deduction — the same process used for your employee share today, not a separate bill or a personal reimbursement claim.
This decision was not made lightly, and it comes after review by Conference administration and our benefits advisors. A few of the driving factors:
More choice, not less coverage. Today, everyone is on the same plan regardless of whether it fits their household. ICHRA opens up the full individual marketplace — hundreds of plans across metal tiers and carriers — so a young single employee and a pastor with a growing family can each choose coverage suited to them.
Additional factors under review by the Conference include long-term cost predictability for both AEC and employees, the continued rise in group plan premiums nationally, and portability of coverage — your individual plan stays with you even through a change in employment status.
| Feature | Traditional Group Plan (through 2026) | ICHRA (starting 2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Who chooses the plan | AEC selects one plan for everyone | You choose from the individual market |
| Employer contribution | Fixed premium share paid to the group carrier | Fixed monthly amount paid by AEC to Remodel Health, who pays your carrier directly |
| Plan network | One shared network for all employees | Whichever network your chosen plan uses |
| Tax treatment | Pre-tax | Same pre-tax treatment as today |
| Portability | Tied to AEC employment | Your individual policy is yours, even if your job changes |
| Enrollment window | Annual open enrollment with AEC | Annual open enrollment with AEC + Marketplace open enrollment (Nov 1 – Jan 15 nationally) |
| Dependents | Add to group plan | Include on your individual plan; allowance may adjust by family size |
If you are currently eligible for Medicare — generally because you are age 65 or older, or otherwise qualify due to disability — the transition works differently for you than for other active employees. This section explains what to expect.
Medicare enrollment will be required. As part of this transition, Medicare-eligible employees will be required to enroll in Medicare as their health coverage, rather than selecting a plan on the individual marketplace.
You'll be reimbursed through the ICHRA. Instead of AEC paying a carrier directly on your behalf, you will pay your Medicare-related premiums and be reimbursed for those costs through the ICHRA.
More detail is coming. Specifics on the reimbursement process, required documentation, and how this fits with your current coverage will be walked through in detail at a dedicated information session.
Save the date (coming soon): A dedicated information session for Medicare-eligible employees will be held at the end of September 2026. Watch your email for the invitation with the exact date, time, and location.
Confirms your employee class and 2027 monthly allowance amount. Contact HR if anything looks incorrect.
Optional but strongly recommended, especially if you've never shopped for individual coverage before.
Compare plans on the ACA Marketplace (healthcare.gov, or your state exchange) or with a licensed broker. Check that your current doctors and prescriptions are covered.
Once you select a plan, keep your enrollment confirmation and premium amount — Remodel Health will use this to set up direct payment to your carrier.
Upload or send your confirmation before the deadline so Remodel Health can set up your direct premium payment to your carrier ahead of January 1.
Don't wait until the last week. Individual plan shopping takes time, especially if it's your first time. Start reviewing options as soon as enrollment opens November 1.