UN Health Insurance Changes effective 1 July 2026

This communication, from the United Nations Health and Life Insurance Section, (HLIS) provides important information regarding changes in the benefit provisions, monthly premiums, and after-service health insurance (ASHI) contribution amounts that came into effect on 1 July 2026. In addition, a statement is being sent to your home address with your ASHI contribution amount effective 1 July 2026

Health Insurance Premium Increases effective 1 July 2026

All premiums for UNHQ administered health insurance plans were increased on 1 July 2026.  The increases were required to produce the funding necessary to meet projected health care costs and utilization over the ongoing 12-month period taking into consideration historic claims experience as well as the forecasted continuation of heightened global medical trend rates. The following premium increases were accordingly implemented both for active and ASHI participants effective 1 July 2026:

Aetna PPO/POS - increased by 35%;

Anthem PPO - increased by 16%;

UN Worldwide - increased by 15%;

Cigna US Dental - increased by 5%

The UNHQ administered health insurance plans are self-funded, so claims and administrative expenses are paid directly from premium contributions made by plan participants and the subsidy payments made by the United Nations. When plan costs exceed available funding, corrective action becomes necessary to preserve the long-term sustainability of the plan.

Several factors contributed to the 2026 premium increases. The most significant driver was the ongoing growth in healthcare costs, as medical inflation continues to outpace general inflation globally. The plans have also experienced increasing utilization associated with a maturing participant population, greater use of specialty medications, higher costs for complex treatments and a continued post-pandemic rebound in healthcare utilization. In addition, delayed diagnoses and deferred treatment during the COVID-19 period have resulted in more advanced conditions requiring more intensive and costly interventions.

The combination of premium and benefit changes approved for 2026 were required to ensure the plans remain financially sustainable and continue to provide comprehensive coverage for medically necessary care. In developing these changes, the Health Insurance Committee (HLIC) reviewed claims experience, plan specific utilization patterns, reserve levels, medical inflation, demographic trends and industry practices with the objective to balance affordability, sustainability and continued access to quality healthcare for all participants.

Plan Benefit Changes effective 1 July 2026

Changes in plan provisions went into effect on 1 July 2026. These benefits can be found in the updated ST/IC/2026/2

Additional Information

HLIS will continue to provide important updates to retirees enrolled in the UNHQ administered plans keeping you informed about key aspects of the insurance coverage and the plan's guiding principles. Plan participants are expected to remain fully informed of the requirements for availing themselves of the insurance benefits by, inter alia, reviewing and understanding the relevant policy documents and benefits booklet. In addition, retirees are requested to notify HLIS in writing as soon as their email address or mailing address has changed.

Should you have any questions, please contact the HLIS in accordance with the information on the Retirees page on the HLIS website.

The above information was provided by the United Nations Health and Life Insurance Section.