CIS Benefits Renewal

What’s New in 2025 and 2026

CIS Benefits Renewal Season Begins

Each summer, CIS Benefits gears up for the renewal season — and this year is no different. Starting in June, our Benefits team will hit the road (and the virtual stage) to bring you the latest updates on employee benefits, including the recent pharmacy benefit transition, a new medical plan on the horizon, and wellness resources you won’t want to miss. If you’re the person responsible for completing your entity’s Request for Coverage (RFC), now’s the time to get ready.

What’s a Request for Coverage (RFC)?

The RFC is your contract with CIS Benefits for employee health benefits coverage for the upcoming calendar year. It’s how you select the medical, dental, vision, life, and other coverages your employees will be offered beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Completing it in July might feel early — but it’s essential. Once your selections are in, our team gets to work updating systems, testing enrollment platforms, and preparing for a seamless Open Enrollment. Accurate and timely submissions are necessary to ensure everything goes smoothly when employees make their benefit choices this fall.

Join a Renewal Meeting Near You

The first step in the process is to attend an Employer Benefits Renewal Meeting. Whether you join in person or online, you’ll get essential updates, hear what’s new for 2026, and connect with other members and our team. Plus, lunch is included at in-person events!

Here’s this summer’s schedule for the 2025 Employer Benefits Renewal and Benefit Advisory Committee (BAC) meetings:

Important Notes for Entities with Union Groups

If you have employees covered by a union and your contract is currently being bargained, please reach out to your CIS Benefits Representative. We’re happy to provide information on your current benefits or on optional renewal selections you may be interested in presenting during union negotiations. If you have a meeting with union representatives and it would be helpful for us to attend or provide you with materials, just let us know. We’re happy to help!

New for 2025

Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transition: ESI to Regence

On May 1, 2025, CIS transitioned its pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) from Express Scripts (ESI) to Regence. We know change can bring questions, so we’ve developed a helpful Pharmacy Benefit Transition Guide to walk you through the essentials. You’ll find FAQs and additional support resources to ensure a smooth experience for you and your employees.

CUSTOM DRUG LISTS FOR MINIMAL DISRUPTION

CIS and Regence collaborated to develop custom Optimum Value Lists (OVL) and Preventive Drug Lists (PDL) to closely match our previous benefit structure. These lists aim to ensure cost-effective, clinically appropriate access to medications — with minimal disruption. Look for the finalized custom lists on the CIS Regence microsite and, beginning on May 1, 2025, in your Regence.com account.

PRIOR AUTHORIZATION EXTENDED

Another win: Regence will honor all current prior authorizations through Dec. 31, 2025. Notifications for renewals will go out 60–90 days before the end of the year. If participants have any issues during the transition, they should contact their CIS Benefits Representative right away.

New for 2026

Surest Medical Plan

A new medical plan is on the horizon! CIS Benefits members will have access to Surest, a new, flexible medical plan option beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Many members joined us for a webinar on May 14 to learn about how this plan works and how it may fit their employees’ needs. If you missed the webinar, the recording is available on the CIS Learning Center.

Need Help? We’re Here for You

Your assigned CIS Benefits Representative is ready to help with anything from renewals and union updates to wellness and pharmacy benefits. Email us anytime at cisbenefits@cisoregon.org or call a member of our team directly at their number listed below.