2026 update
Important: The Health Connect Plan will be discontinued in 2026
There is an important change to your Microsoft health plan options for 2026.
The Eastside Health Network (EHN), which serves as the provider group for the Health Connect Plan, will be dissolving effective January 1, 2026. As a result, the Health Connect Plan option will be
discontinued and not available for calendar years starting with 2026..
Premera Blue Cross will continue to offer the Health Savings Plan option for Microsoft members. If you do not enroll in a new plan for 2026, you will be defaulted to the Health Savings Plan.
Review the below Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the Health Connect Plan discontinuation. You can also learn more about the Health Savings Plan and other plan offerings available by visiting aka.ms/OE or attending one of Microsoft’s upcoming Open Enrollment sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Eastside Health Network (EHN), which supports the Health Connect Plan, will dissolve on January 1, 2026. As a result, this plan will be discontinued.
The Health Connect Plan will no longer be available starting January 1, 2026
There isn’t a replacement plan, but you still have access to the Health Savings Plan through Premera, which uses the same provider network. You can also visit the Microsoft Benefits site to explore other available plan options./
No, your ID number will remain the same, but your new ID card will have a different prefix (MSJ) and include your 2026 cost share details.
Yes, if you choose the Health Savings Plan with Premera, you will receive a new ID card. Be sure to update it with all providers and pharmacies for services starting January 1, 2026.
Premera will continue to offer the Health Savings Plan to Microsoft members in 2026. For details on other Microsoft plan offerings, please visit the benefits portal to view a Health Plan Comparison chart to help you understand how coverage is provided under the various plan offerings.
Yes, the Health Saving Plan includes the same network of providers.
If you enroll in the Health Savings Plan through Premera, you'll continue to have access to the same provider network. If you choose a different Microsoft plan, be sure to check whether your provider is in-network under that plan.
Please visit aka.ms/OE to learn more about the other plan
options.
Please visit aka.ms/OE to learn more about the other plan
options.
No. If you had a prior authorization approved by Premera for an upcoming procedure, it will carry over to the Health Savings Plan and you will not need to submit a new one.
Please visit aka.ms/OE to learn more about the other plan
options.
As of January 1, 2026, the maternity bundle under the Health Connect Plan will end. If you enroll in the Health Savings Plan, standard maternity cost shares will apply.
Under the Health Savings Plan, maternity care is covered 90% after the deductible when using an in-network provider and facility.
Go to aka.ms/benefits to review the Summary Plan Description for additional coverage details.
Yes, members enrolled in the Health Savings Plan are eligible for the $1,000 doula allowance.
If you're enrolled in Medicare or TRICARE, or have received VA medical or prescription benefits in the past three months (excluding preventive care or service-connected disability), you're not eligible for a Health Savings Account
(HSA) and typically cannot change that status. In these cases, Microsoft may instead provide a taxable cash contribution—equal to the annual HSA amount for your coverage level—via paycheck deposit. Visit the Benefits site for more
details.
If you enroll in the Health Savings Plan through Premera, you’ll continue to have access to these programs. If you switch to another plan, coverage will end, and you’ll need to check with that plan to see what support is available
for these conditions.
If you choose the Health Savings Plan through Premera, the same providers remain in-network with the same allowed amounts. However, the plan includes a deductible that must be met before coverage begins (not applicable to preventive
care).
If you're enrolled in the Health Connect Plan and don’t choose a new plan during Open Enrollment, you’ll be automatically enrolled in the Health Savings Plan through Premera.
Premera's dedicated customer service team for Microsoft can support you with any questions regarding plan options and transition. Please call 800-676-1411 (TTY:
711) 5:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, or email Microsoft@premera.com.
If you enroll on the Health Savings Plan for 2026, you will have access to Premera Personal Health Support Clinicians. Premera will reach out to assist those members with the transition.