2026 benefits
Choose what's best for you through the Dow U.S. Benefits Site
Enrollment is your opportunity to elect coverage that works for you.
If your pre-Medicare medical coverage is ending, you’ll need to enroll in your Medicare coverage for the remainder of 2026. Take the time to make thoughtful decisions. If you’re ready to enroll, follow the checklist below.
Consider your situation
Look at your options, factor in your health status and needs, and think about your preferences. As you consider your choices, review the coverage summaries below, then consider your monthly premiums based on coverage level and other factors:
- Medicare PPOs
- Medicare HMOs
- Old and New Plan (closed to new participants)
Considerations in choosing a plan
- You have Aetna Medicare Advantage options that provide access to additional resources as part of your coverage.
- While MyMichigan Health does not participate in the Aetna Medicare Advantage network, you can receive services with generally the same in-network cost share since the Dow plan includes the ESA (extended service area) feature.
- Please note the Mayo Clinic does not accept patients with Medicare Advantage Plans, which includes the Aetna Medicare Advantage Plans offered through Dow. For questions regarding plan coverage, please contact Aetna at (855) 230-3701 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 9 PM.
Access enrollment
Go to the Dow U.S. Benefits Site when it's time for you to enroll. It's designed to help you find what you need in just a few clicks. From quick access to information to built-in support and tools to help you make your choices, everything you need is at your fingertips, every step of the way. Select the option to enroll on the homepage.
Verify your information, including your dependents
Remember to review and update your dependents (who have coverage under the plan). You will need to provide proof of eligibility for any new dependents you add.
Make sure to name your beneficiaries (who receive a benefit if you die) and keep their information updated.
Complete the spouse/domestic partner verification
Even if you don’t change your elections, you must complete a verification every year if you want Dow medical coverage for your spouse or domestic partner. The only exception is if your spouse/domestic partner is covered under Medicare retiree coverage, which doesn’t require verification.
If you don't complete the annual verification, your spouse or domestic partner will lose eligibility and have coverage terminated.
Make your choices
Follow the step-by-step process. Once you make your choices, you will see an enrollment confirmation screen — you can print it and save it for your records. This is your verification that your elections were saved and applied. There’s no need to call the service center to verify your elections.
Have questions? Get answers.
- The Dow U.S. Benefits Site, powered by the Violet smart system, provides quick and easy answers to your questions, along with personalized guidance and support in making your decisions.
- Search key words from the home screen.
- Use the "Chat" button to get help from Violet. Type in your question and Violet will deliver your answer or point you in the right direction — it's that simple.
- Get personal assistance by sending a secure message through the "Inbox."
- Call the Dow Retiree Service Center at (800) 344-0661 for immediate assistance with a personal question about your benefit eligibility or coverage, help verifying/updating information, or assistance with registration or access to the Dow U.S. Benefits Site.
- Call Aetna at (855) 230-3701 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, if you have questions about the 2026 Medicare Advantage options.
- Review the “What to know” page if you have questions about your 2027 benefits coverage.
Check out helpful resources you can use.
- Find additional details, understand the tools available and learn how to get connected and stay up to date on news and events. Learn more.
- If you are in an Aetna Medicare Advantage option, there are additional resources you can use that are part of your coverage, including gym and fitness benefits, health tools for knowledge and coaching, helpful webcasts, care management services for complex conditions and more. Learn more.
Aetna Medicare Advantage resources
If you are in an Aetna Medicare Advantage option, there are additional resources you can use that are part of your coverage, including gym and fitness benefits, health tools for knowledge and coaching, helpful webcasts, care management services for complex conditions and more.
Support for emotional wellbeing
Be sure to use your coverage when needed and consider taking advantage of national resources.
Other important things to know
- If your spouse/domestic partner is also a Dow retiree or current Dow employee, don’t enroll for coverage twice.
- To allow another person access to information about your plan/benefits, you must have an approved authorization on file.
- To permit another person to make decisions for you without the need for your approval, you need to submit a Power of Attorney (POA) to Dow that describes the powers you wish to delegate. Please remember that a POA on file with Dow does not carry over to Aetna. If you would like to permit another person to speak with Aetna on your behalf, call Aetna Member Services at the number on the back of your ID card or visit dow.aetnamedicare.com for more information.
- If you participated in the RHCAP while you were working at Dow, you can use it for reimbursement of eligible Dow or non-Dow medical premiums (including premiums for Medicare Part B and standalone Medicare Part D plans) and Dow will match your account balance dollar for dollar. There are two investment allocation options for the money in your RHCAP account. For more information, sign into your account at viabenefitsaccounts.com or call Via Benefits at (800) 953-5395 (TTY:771).
The brief summaries of benefits in this eGuide provide only general information. You should refer to the plan document and Summary Plan Description of the applicable plan(s) for a more complete description of a plan’s terms. If there is any conflict between (a) the information provided in this document and any oral or written representations made by anyone regarding a plan, and (b) the legal documents of a plan, including the plan document or Summary Plan Description for the applicable plan, the plan legal documents will govern. Dow reserves the right to amend, modify, and terminate the plan(s) described at any time in its sole discretion. The descriptions in this document are subject to change based on the terms of the plan(s) and applicable law.
Content Steward: Dow North America Benefits | (800) 344-0661
September 2026