Author: Chris Johnson

Narrator: Narrator: Your health and the health of your family is a top priority at Costco. That’s why we are committed to providing you and your family with affordable benefits that help you receive quality care whenever needed.

In 2026, you will see enhancements and changes to your Costco benefits. Here are some key changes to know.

Let’s start with resources for living. Beginning January 1, 2026, we’re increasing the number of free counseling sessions you can get through RFL from six to eight, so you’ll have access to eight free sessions per issue per year. RFL is available to all employees on your hire date, all your household members and dependent children living away from home up to age 26.

You have a few different ways to find a therapist for your eight free counseling sessions. You can search on the RFL website for in-person or virtual therapy. Search by specialty, language, and more. You can connect with an RFL care partner by phone or webchat, or you can use Talkspace for text or video chat.

Now let’s talk about the emergency room copay on the Aetna medical plan. In 2026, the ER copay on the Aetna medical plan will change from $150 to $200 when you go to the ER. You also pay your deductible and coinsurance.

Keep in mind that the ER is for true emergencies only, such as serious or life-threatening conditions. Some examples are broken bones, difficulty breathing, or serious cuts and burns. If it’s not a true emergency but you need care right away, you have other, more convenient options.

Get virtual care via text with 98point6 for a $0 copay. If you want in-person care, you can search for in-network urgent care on the Aetna app or at Aetna.com.

Not sure if it’s an emergency? Call the 24-hour nurse line. They can also help you find in-network care near you. Now let’s talk about the dental plan updates for mainland employees. Costco offers two dental plans– Network Dental and Choice Dental. Previously, Choice Dental was not available to employees who became eligible for benefits on or after January 1, 2020.

Starting in 2026, both Network Dental and Choice Dental will be available to benefit-eligible employees regardless of your eligibility date. If you’d like to change your dental plan, you can do so during annual enrollment or after a qualifying life event.

What’s the difference between the two dental plans?

Network Dental pays for covered dental care from in-network dental providers only. Choice Dental pays for covered dental care with dental providers both in and out of network. However, Network Dental offers higher maximum coverage at a lower cost per paycheck.

Choice Dental offers the added flexibility of out-of-network coverage, but you may pay more. And you can save even more by using an in-network dentist. You and your covered family members each earn a credit of $50 toward your medical deductible and coinsurance when you get your first dental cleaning each year with an in-network dentist.

If you’re enrolled in Choice Dental and get an out-of-network cleaning, you won’t be eligible for the credit. However, for the few locations that don’t have Network Dental, you can still earn the credit with in- and out-of-network dentists. Go to Costcobenefits.com for a list of these locations.

Want to find out which plan is right for you? View the 2026 Dental Changes video to learn more.

The Aetna app has a new digital experience. Some new features are enhanced search and chat features, care paths and program recommendations for your health needs, and Aetna Smart Compare Intelligent Matching to help you find quality and effective care.

Your top three matches will appear at the top of your search results. Download the Aetna health app or visit aetna.com to explore your personalized tools and resources.

Now let’s talk about changes to the Hawaii medical and dental plans. Hawaii offers two medical plans and two dental plans. Previously, the HMSA PPO medical plan and premium dental plan were not available to part-time Hawaii employees. Starting in 2026, both medical plans and both dental plans will be available to Hawaii employees regardless of your part-time or full-time status.

The HMSA HMO provides in-network coverage only. And you’ll need to get a referral from your primary care doctor to see a specialist. But you’ll pay a lower cost per paycheck. The HMSA PPO provides coverage out of network, and you don’t need a referral to see a specialist. But you’ll pay a higher cost per paycheck, and you may pay more for care. Core Dental offers lower cost per paycheck. Premium Dental offers richer benefits at a higher cost per paycheck. See your 2026 Benefit Plan Changes booklet for more details.

Let’s talk about the pharmacy benefit update for mainland and Hawaii employees. On January 1, 2026, Navitus Health Solutions will replace Costco Health Solutions as your pharmacy benefits administrator. Your prescription drug coverage will stay the same. You can still use your employee ID to fill prescriptions at a Costco pharmacy, or you can use any network pharmacy.

Now let’s talk about reimbursement accounts available through Inspira Financial. In 2026, the health reimbursement account, or HCRA, maximum annual contribution is changing from $3,300 to $3,400 per year. The dependent care assistance plan maximum annual contribution is changing from $5,000 to $7,500 per year, or $3,750 if married and filing separately.

The HCRA lets you set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses such as co-pays, deductibles, and coinsurance, dental, vision, and hearing aid expenses, and prescriptions and over-the-counter items. The DCAP lets you set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible child and elder care expenses, such as daycare, before- and after-school care, and in-home aides.

You can enroll in reimbursement accounts during Annual Enrollment or for the DCAP when you have qualifying changes to your childcare needs during the year. Watch the 2026 Reimbursement Accounts video to learn more about the HCRA and DCAP.

You can also look forward to an increased annual allowance for vision hardware, such as glasses and contacts in 2026, from $175 to $200. Keep in mind that you don’t have to use it all at once, but you do need to use your allowance by December 31 each year. Schedule your annual eye exam with your Costco optical department now to beat the end-of-the-year rush on vision.

New in 2026– employees enrolled in the Aetna medical plan will have access to sleep apnea support from GEM Sleep. GEM Sleep is available through Sleepio. Don’t ignore the snore. Beginning January 1, 2026, you can take an at-home sleep test from the comfort of your own home.

GEM Sleep is in network with Aetna medical plan, so your plan cost shares apply. That may include co-pays, deductible, or co-insurance.

As a reminder, employees and their family members age 18 plus enrolled in a Costco medical plan can still access the Sleepio Digital Sleep Improvement Program at no cost. Sleepio is clinically proven to help you clear your mind, get better sleep, and have better days in just six weeks.

To learn more about 2026 benefits changes, see your benefit plan changes booklet. Your new benefits are effective starting January 1, 2026. If you have any questions or need more information, visit Costcobenefits.com. Thanks for watching. And remember, we’re in this together.

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