AWC Trust 2026 premiums and plan changes announced

The Employee Benefit Trust Board of Trustees has approved the Trust’s 2026 premiums and plan changes.

While this year’s medical and dental plan increases are higher than they have been in recent years, they remain lower than national trend. Additionally, the Trust continues to provide rich benefits and enhanced services that not only support employees’ well-being, but also streamline administration, helping employers save time and focus on what matters most. As a self-insured program, the Trust sets our rates to pay claim expenses and administrative fees. Our goal is to collect only enough premium dollars to pay for these expenses.

The Trust is dedicated to providing plans at rates that are lower than industry norms, and to continue providing members with outstanding customer service and services that add value.

Active employees & dependents

LEOFF 1 retiree coverages

Trust member claims experience

In looking at the claims experience of our pool of members, we continue to see overall claims on the rise. These claims include the prevalence and complexity of chronic conditions, an increasing number of higher cost claimants, as well as higher cost treatments (i.e. gene therapy) and increased pharmacy spend. These cost drivers, coupled with inflation, increased provider reimbursement rates, and regulatory requirements have led to overall increased costs. The increased premiums are necessary to pay for expected claims.

Strategic focus leads to lower than industry rates

The Trust will continue to rate our plans in a responsible manner, while maintaining a strategic focus. Because of these efforts, our premium increases remain lower than the national trend.

Premiums posted online

The exact premium amounts will be posted on our website by mid-October, on our rates page. All rates will be updated in SIMON and reflected on your January billing.

Plan changes – effective January 1, 2026

We are pleased to announce the plan enhancements to our medical plans for 2026.

Regence/Asuris/Kaiser (all self-insured plans)

• All plans
• Hearing Instrument (hearing aid) coverage: hearing instruments are currently covered at $3,000 per ear, every 36 months. Coverage as of January 1 removes the dollar maximum, allowing coverage for one hearing instrument per ear, every 36 months.
• Infertility treatment: surgical and nonsurgical treatment is currently covered and limited to $20,000/lifetime. Artificial insemination is not subject to this limit as of January 1.
• HDHP/HSA-eligible plans
• HDHP deductible: changing from $1,650 individual/$3,300 family to $1,700 individual/$3,400 family due to federally required indexing.

Questions?

Contact your AWC Trust staff at benefitinfo@awcnet.org or 800.562.8981.