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May 14, 2025
Dear City Employees:
The City of Santa Fe’s annual Open Enrollment period for fiscal year 2026 employee benefits will begin on Monday, May 12, 2025, and will close on Friday, May 30, 2025.
This year’s enrollment is an Active Open Enrollment, which means that all benefits-eligible employees are required to actively elect or waive coverage during this period. No current benefit elections will carry over automatically. All benefit elections made during this time will take effect on July 1, 2025.
Why Active Enrollment?
We are transitioning to a new Health Benefits Administrator, which requires all employees to re-elect their benefits—even if you intend to keep the same coverage, change your coverage, or waive your benefits.
All City employees MUST TAKE ACTION
Required Documentation
The following documentation must be uploaded to your Employee Self Service (ESS) account during the Open Enrollment period:
- Marriage Certificate (for spouse coverage)
- Domestic Partnership Documentation (if applicable)
- Birth Certificates (for child dependents)
- Legal Guardianship or Court Orders (for other child dependents)
- Social Security Numbers (for all covered individuals, as required by the Affordable Care Act)
- Dates of Birth (for employees and dependents)
How to Enroll
All changes to benefits and flexible spending accounts must be made through your ESS account: https://cityofsantafenmemployees.munisselfservice.com/ . If you have not accessed your ESS account previously, please refer to the included user guides and resources. You can also review your current benefit selections in your ESS portal. Attached is a guide on how to access your ESS account and step by step instructions on selection benefits.
In-Person Assistance
To assist employees during Open Enrollment, representatives from the City of Santa HR team, Blue Cross Blue Shield, as well as Lovelace Health System and UNM Hospital, will be available at the following designated City locations on the following specific dates and times. Texas Life will also be on site.
For Employees who do NOT plan on attending a live enrollment session, below is a link to BCBSNM Open Enrollment information video: https://players.brightcove.net/1084781253001/experience_68015b864a5ec7fd35f49385/share.html
We have also created a City of Santa Fe Blue Cross Blue Shield NM specific Customer Service number: 1-877-573-3676.
Attached you will find the following important documents:
- Open Enrollment Memo with FY26 Premium rates and ESS Benefit enrollment instructions
- City of Santa Fe Benefits Guide FY 26
- BCBSNM Resources Guide FY26 specifically for City of SF
- BCBSNM Ancillary Resources
- HSA Bank FSA Medical, FSA Dependent, and HRA
Please HELP spread the word!!!
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out directly.
Respectfully,
Alvin Valdez
Benefits and Wellness Manager
Human Resources
Office: 505.955.6075