Before choosing 2027 benefits, workers could use their 2026 claims and paystubs to estimate how each plan would have performed under real usage.
Build the current-year total
Add premiums, deductibles, copays, coinsurance, prescriptions, and employer contributions.
Check changes, not just names
Networks, drug formularies, deductibles, and employer funding can change even when the plan label stays familiar.
Coordinate tax-advantaged accounts
HSA and FSA elections should reflect eligibility, expected expenses, and rollover rules.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov, Plan Comparison Guidance.
- Internal Revenue Service, Publication 969.