For new hires hired during the 4th quarter (Oct - Dec) of 2025 only
Because you are joining Duke during the last quarter of the year, you will need to consider enrolling for benefits for the remainder of this year and the following year as part of a two-step process. Health, dental and vision premiums for 2025 are deducted one month in advance. The new January 2026 premiums will be deducted from your paycheck in January 2026.
Step 1: Enrolling in Benefits for the Remainder of 2025
As a new hire, you have 30 days from your date of hire and/or date of eligibility to enroll in medical, dental, and/or vision coverage, as well as in a health care and/or dependent care reimbursement account for the remainder of the 2025 calendar year.
- Medical, Dental, and/or Vision Plans for 2025: You must log into the Duke@Work website to complete your New Hire elections. Please see the New Hire Guide for instructions on “How to Enroll.” This must be completed BEFORE you make 2026 Open Enrollment elections.
- Dental for 2025: Please note that if you do not enroll in 2025 and delay enrollment in dental until 2026 or later, you are considered a late entrant and only have limited dental benefits for the first year.
- Reimbursement Accounts for 2025: To participate, you must download, complete and return the 2025 Reimbursement Accounts Enrollment Form. Please return the form to Duke Benefits and retain a copy for your records.
Please note the 2025 reimbursement account election is for the remainder of 2025. You will need to make a new election for the 2026 plan years.
Step 2: Enrolling in Benefits for 2026
As a new hire, you will have 30 days from your date of hire and/or date of eligibility to enroll in medical, dental and/or vision coverage for calendar year 2025. See below for details about the 2026 changes and new premiums.
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans for 2026: If you do not want to make changes to the medical, dental and/or vision coverage you elected for 2025, no action is required. Your 2025 medical, dental and/or vision plan(s) will automatically roll over to 2026. If you want to make changes to the medical, dental* and/or vision plan(s) that you elected for 2025, then you must take action. Remember, this must be completed AFTER you have made 2025 New Hire elections.
- Reimbursement Accounts for 2026: Health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts will not automatically continue; you must re-enroll to participate in 2026.
- Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account for 2026: The Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account is available to pair with the Duke Health Savings Account if you elect the Duke Advantage medical plan; you must enroll to participate in 2026.
- To enroll or make changes for 2026 benefits:
- Between October 6-24, 2025, log into the Duke@Work website to complete your Open Enrollment elections.
- After October 24, 2025, you must download, complete and return the Medical/Dental/Vision 2026 Open Enrollment Form and/or the 2026 Reimbursement Accounts Enrollment Form. Please return forms to Duke Benefits and retain a copy for your records.
* Any Duke employee or eligible dependent that previously waived the 2025 dental benefits can enroll for 2026 but will be considered a “late entrant”. As a “late entrant”, dental benefits during the first 12 months of coverage will be limited to two preventive care exams (excluding x-rays), two cleanings, and for children up to age 19, one fluoride application.