Action may be required for employers enrolled in Gold and Bronze HDHP plans

As part of our 2027 Washington Small Group portfolio updates, all Gold and Bronze HSA-qualified High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) will be discontinued and will no longer be available for renewal in 2027.

Groups currently enrolled in one of these plans will be automatically mapped to a comparable PPO plan within the same metallic level at renewal. Gold HDHP plans will be mapped to a Gold PPO plan, and Bronze HDHP plans will be mapped to a Bronze PPO plan.

Important for employers enrolled in a discontinued HDHP

All groups currently enrolled in a discontinued Gold or Bronze HDHP will be mapped to a comparable PPO plan within the same metallic level unless a plan change is submitted prior to renewal.

Employers should carefully review their renewal options before renewing into the mapped PPO plan. While the PPO plan may provide comparable coverage within the same metallic level, it is not HSA-qualified.

This is an important consideration for employers and employees who currently utilize Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). If a group renews into the mapped PPO plan, employees will no longer be eligible to make or receive HSA contributions

Important information for groups with an integrated Optum HSA

Groups currently enrolled in one of the discontinued Bronze or Gold HDHPs and utilizing Premera’s integrated Optum HSA solution should be aware that additional action may be needed.

If a group does not submit a plan change and renews into the mapped PPO plan, the group’s Optum HSA funding arrangement will be terminated because the renewal plan is not HSA-qualified.

When the funding arrangement is terminated:

• Accounts will become “orphaned” from the employer-sponsored funding arrangement. Employees will receive an Orphan Letter from Optum.
• Account holders will be responsible for any applicable account maintenance or administrative fees assessed by Optum after termination of the employer-sponsored arrangement.

What employers need to do

Employers enrolled in a discontinued Gold or Bronze HDHP should work with their producer to review available 2027 plan options.

Groups that wish to remain on an HSA-qualified plan must submit a plan change request through their Premera sales representative prior to renewal. Groups that do not take action will renew into their mapped PPO plan within the same metallic level.

We encourage employers to review their renewal options early to ensure they select the plan that best meets the needs of their employees and benefits strategy for 2027.