On Dec. 18, 2025, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees recognized UAB’s financial strength and approved a budget revision to support a merit pool for the current fiscal year. This year's pool will be effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Any vacation accrual balances in excess of the total maximum accrual for exempt monthly employees will roll over to sick accruals on Jan. 1, 2026. The rollover will reflect approved time‑off requests and balances as of Dec. 31, 2025. 

Learn the ins and outs: who qualifies for the program, how to take advantage of it, requirements for staying qualified and everything in between.

Lisa Meddock will join UAB as assistant vice president for Benefits and Wellbeing effective Jan. 12, 2026. The role oversees the Benefits, Employee Assistance & Counseling Center and Employee Wellness teams.

UAB’s annual open enrollment for benefits begins today at 7 a.m. and runs through 5 p.m. Nov. 3. Eligible employees can choose among dental, vision and health insurance plans plus voluntary plan options and tax-deferred spending accounts for health and dependent care for 2026.

Nationwide, costs continue to rise, and UAB is working to balance the impact of these costs on its employees and the organization. Here are some things you can do to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

Despite rising health care costs nationwide, health insurance and dental premiums will not increase for 2026, and there will only be a slight increase in vision premiums. For UAB to remain competitive in the market, stay in line with national benchmarks and keep costs down as much as possible for all employees, there will be plan design changes for 2026.

UAB will offer dental and vision insurance, along with a range of voluntary benefits during the annual open enrollment period, and eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC will have the option to choose or decline that coverage between 7 a.m. Oct. 17 and 5 p.m. Nov. 3.

Benefit-eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC will have the option to choose or decline health care coverage during the annual open enrollment Oct. 17-Nov. 3.

A benefit option that enables employees to pay lower monthly health care premiums in exchange for higher out-of-pocket expenses for covered services continues to grow in favor among eligible employees.

Stay tuned to the UAB Reporter as UAB begins rolling out open enrollment information to provide benefit-eligible employees time to review upcoming changes and make informed decisions. Open enrollment begins 7 a.m. Oct. 17 and concludes 5 p.m. Nov. 3.

Employees in Workgroup A and non-clinical F will observe closures on Dec. 24 and 26 and Jan. 2, and employees in Workgroup C and clinical faculty will observe closures on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, in addition to the standard holidays observed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.

Starting April 1, UAB will offer short-term disability insurance, which can help with financial obligations and expenses that health insurance won’t cover, such as food, childcare and mortgage or rent payments.

UAB’s annual open enrollment for benefits will be held Oct. 18-Nov. 4. Eligible employees can choose among dental, vision and health insurance plans plus voluntary plan options and tax-deferred spending accounts for health and dependent care for 2025.

Eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC may choose voluntary benefits during the annual open enrollment Oct. 18- Nov. 4. These programs are voluntary and paid for by employees and can be canceled at any time.

The Standard Insurance Company is offering a true open enrollment for 2025 Voluntary Employee Life and Voluntary Spouse Life insurance elections during UAB’s annual open enrollment Oct. 18- Nov. 4.

Nationwide, costs continue to rise, and UAB is working to balance the impact of these costs on its employees and the organization. Here are some things you can do to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

For UAB to remain competitive in the market, stay in line with national benchmarks and keep costs down as much as possible for all employees, there will be medical plan design changes for 2025.

UAB offers vision benefits, and eligible employees of UAB, UAB Hospital and UAB Hospital Management LLC will have the option to choose or decline that coverage during the open enrollment for benefits Oct. 18-Nov. 4.

UAB will offer dental insurance during the annual open enrollment for benefits, and eligible employees must choose or decline that coverage between 7 a.m. Oct. 18 and 5 p.m. Nov. 4