Overview
To support your health and financial wellbeing, we provide valuable benefits that help you and your family stay healthy and pay for care in the event of illness or injury.
2026 medical plans:
Our benefits program includes medical plan options with a range of coverage levels and costs designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees. The medical plan options summarized below are all administered by UnitedHealthcare (UHC).
| Plan | Description |
|---|---|
| UHC Premium HSA Plan UHC Basic HSA Plan |
The Health Savings Account (HSA) medical plans put you in charge of your spending through lower employee paycheck costs, higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, and a tax-free HSA with contributions from Stryker. This allows you to only pay for the health care that you actually use instead of paying more for coverage that you may not need. |
| UHC Value PPO Plan | This plan has higher employee paycheck costs than the HSA Plans, but a lower deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. |
| Surest Advantage Plan | This plan provides the coverage you'd expect from traditional health insurance, but with clear, upfront cost and coverage information, so you know in advance what's covered and what you'll pay. There are no deductibles or coinsurance. Instead, you pay copays when you need services. |
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If you live in California or Hawaii, you may be eligible for different medical plan options. If you are traveling on business internationally, you may also be eligible for medical benefits through Cigna. For more information, see Additional medical plans under Plan comparison. |
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Coming soon: Form 1095-C
If you are enrolled in a Stryker medical plan, you will receive a Form 1095-C in February for you and your covered dependents with your coverage information.
Visit enroll.stryker.com, then click "Tax Center" on the top navigation bar, click "access form" on the "Form 1095-C" tile.
Key features at a glance
All our medical plans provide:
Comprehensive, affordable coverage
that fulfills the requirements of the health care reform law.
Free in-network preventive care,
with services such as annual physicals, recommended immunizations, and routine cancer screenings covered at 100%. See more covered preventive services.
Prescription drug coverage
included with each medical plan. Learn more about your prescription drug coverage.
Financial protection
through annual out-of-pocket maximums that limit the amount you’ll pay each year on eligible expenses.
Health insurance 101
Personalized expert medical support
Included Health offers personalized expert medical support when you need a hand in navigating your diagnosis and the medical system.
All Stryker's medical plans: Included Health can help employees and their families by providing remote second medical opinions from leading specialists and 24/7 access to expert medical advice.
UHC Value PPO or HSA Plans: Included Health offers 24/7 assistance with claims, appeals, personalized cost estimates and finding high quality providers. For those enrolled in the Surest Advantage Plan, these services are available through Surest Member Services.
For all benefit eligible employees and their families: LGBTQ+ Health and Black Health services can assist in connecting with high quality, culturally inclusive care for those of particular interest to Black and LGBTQ+ communities. All U.S. benefit-eligible employees and dependents can use these specialty services at no cost, even those not enrolled in one of Stryker's medical plans.
Learn more about Included Health.
Family building, parenting and midlife health benefits
Stryker offers benefits to help you build and raise your family and navigate your midlife health. Learn more.
Plan comparison
For more details, see the Summary Plan Description (SPD) or Benefits at a Glance (2026).
| In-network benefit | UHC Basic HSA Plan | UHC Premium HSA Plan | UHC Value PPO Plan | Surest Advantage Plan1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSA eligible | Yes | Yes | No | No | |
| HSA contribution from Stryker2 |
Employee only: $300
Employee + 1/Family: $600
|
Employee only: $600
Employee + 1/Family: $1,200
|
None | None | |
| Preventive care | Covered at 100% in-network | ||||
| Deductible3 | Your costs | ||||
| Employee only | $2,500 | $1,800 | $850 | None | |
| Employee + 1 | $5,000 | $3,600 | $1,700 | None | |
| Family | $5,000 | $3,600 | $2,550 | None | |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | Your costs | ||||
| Employee only | $6,450 | $5,000 | $4,250 | $4,000 | |
| Employee + 1 | $12,900 | $10,000 | $8,500 | $8,000 | |
| Family | $12,900 | $10,000 | $9,250 | $8,000 | |
| Copays | Your costs | ||||
| Primary Care Physician | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $25 | $10 to $65 copay | |
| Specialist | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $40 | $10 to $65 copay | |
| ER | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $150 | $375 copay; waived if admitted | |
| Coinsurance | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | Deductible, then 20% | None | |
| Rx-retail (30-day) | |||||
| Tier 1 | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $10 | $5 | |
| Tier 2 | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $25 | $40 | |
| Tier 3 | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $50 | $60 | |
| Rx-retail (90-day) | |||||
| Tier 1 | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $30 | $12.50 | |
| Tier 2 | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $75 | $100 | |
| Tier 3 | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $150 | $150 | |
| Rx-mail order (90-day) | |||||
| Tier 1 | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $25 | $12.50 | |
| Tier 2 | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $62.50 | $100 | |
| Tier 3 | Deductible, then 30% | Deductible, then 20% | $125 | $150 | |
- For office visits and many procedures, Surest combines the labs and x-rays that go along with a procedure into one price. This table shows copays as a range because copays vary by provider, service and location. Providers or locations with higher Care Ratings have lower copays. For more information and to look up costs for care, visit surest.care/stryker.
- Direct temporary employees and interns are not eligible for Stryker's HSA funding but are eligible to elect and contribute their own funds.
- In the HSA plans, the total family deductible must be met before the plan covers any expenses. No one family member's expenses are capped at an individual deductible amount.
- In the HSA plans, there are no copays for prescription drugs. Instead, you pay 100% of the costs for non-preventive prescription drugs, until you meet the HSA plan's deductible.
Additional medical plans
Different medical plan options may be available if you live in one of the locations below. For more details on these plans, see the Summary Plan Description (SPD) or Benefits at a Glance (2026).
| Plan name | For | Administered by |
|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan | California employees only | Kaiser Permanente |
| Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) Plan | Hawaii employees only | Hawaii Medical Service Association |
| Cigna Medical Benefits Abroad Plan | Employees traveling internationally on company business for less than 6 months | Cigna |
| Cigna International Expatriate Benefits Plan | Employees on international assignment for 6 months or more | Cigna |
| UHC Out-of-Area Plan | If there are no satisfactory PPO or HMO networks available in your area | UnitedHealthcare |
Transparency in Coverage
The Transparency in Coverage Final Rules require certain group health plans to disclose on a public website information regarding in-network provider rates and historical out-of-network allowed amounts and billed charges for covered items and services in two separate machine-readable files (MRFs). UnitedHealthcare and Surest create and publish the MRFs on behalf of Stryker. Note: the format (.JSON) of these files is intended to be read by a machine and is likely not compatible with common user interfaces.
The MRFs for the benefit package options under the Stryker Corporation Welfare Benefits Plan can be accessed at transparency-in-coverage.uhc.com.
HSA plans
The UHC Premium HSA Plan and UHC Basic HSA Plan pair low employee paycheck costs and high deductible medical coverage with a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) that helps you save up for future expenses. This combination gives you more control over your money and rewards you for making healthy, cost-conscious choices. Plus, you get a contribution from Stryker!
With these plans, you can choose any in-network or out-of-network provider each time you receive care. But keep in mind: You will generally receive higher benefits when you use in-network providers.
The HSA plan
How it works
- You pay for coverage through a paycheck deduction.
- You pay nothing for in-network preventive care — it’s covered in full.
- When you need care:
Prescription drug coverage
In the HSA plans, there are no copays for prescription drugs. Instead, you pay 100% of the costs for non-preventive prescription drugs, until you meet the HSA plan’s deductible. Remember the HSA and your HSA contribution from Stryker are there to help you pay these costs.
Keep in mind that in the HSA Plans, we cover certain core preventive medications before the deductible is met, meaning you only pay the appropriate coinsurance until you meet your out-of-pocket maximum.
Money-saving tip
Use your HSA to budget for deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses while also saving money—your HSA contributions are tax-free!
Make the most of your coverage
Take advantage of these resources to manage your care and your costs.
Use health tools Learn about the HSA Manage your HSASave money Investing with your HSA Planning for retirement with an HSA
Budgeting for your costs
With the UHC Premium HSA and UHC Basic HSA Plans, you pay less from your paycheck and assume more financial responsibility when you receive care. So, it’s important to plan ahead for your out-of-pocket expenses. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Think about your costs. Contribute at least enough to your HSA to cover your expected out-of-pocket costs, such as your annual deductible and coinsurance. Remember — because you are paying less from your paycheck for medical coverage, you may have extra money available to put in your HSA.
- Plan ahead. You can only spend HSA money that’s actually been deposited into your account. Adjust your paycheck costs as necessary during the year to make sure you have money available when you need it. And if you don’t, remember to reimburse yourself later so you take full advantage of your HSA’s tax savings.
- Look long term. You will never forfeit any money left in your HSA — it rolls over year after year. If you know about future expenses — or if you want to save for your health care costs in retirement — set aside a little extra each paycheck so your balance can grow over time.
UHC Value PPO Plan
The UHC Value PPO Plan offers a lower deductible and out-of-pocket maximum in exchange for higher costs from your paycheck. You are not eligible for the triple tax-advantaged health savings account if you enroll in this plan.
You can choose any in-network or out-of-network provider each time you receive care. But keep in mind: You will generally receive higher benefits when you use in-network providers.
How it works
- You pay for coverage through a paycheck deduction.
- You pay nothing for in-network preventive care — it’s covered in full.
- When you need care:
Money-saving tip
If you have a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA), take advantage of the tax-free savings when paying for care. And, keep in mind, the money in your FSA does not carry over to the next plan year. You must “use it or lose it.” So be sure to plan carefully.
Make the most of your coverage
Take advantage of these resources to manage your care and your costs.
Use health tools Learn about FSAs Manage your FSA Save moneySurest Advantage Plan
The Surest Advantage Plan through UnitedHealthcare (UHC) is designed to help you take more control of your healthcare and your budget. There is no coinsurance or deductibles, only copays, which you can look up on the Surest app or member website before making an appointment.
Surest Advantage Plan Introduction
How it works
- You pay for coverage through a paycheck deduction.
- You pay nothing for in-network preventive care — it's covered in full.
- When you need care:
Finding providers
Surest gives you the ability to compare providers and their actual copays for services before you make an appointment. This can help you understand your potential costs in advance and plan accordingly.
You can find providers—including their copays and Care Ratings—using the Surest website or app, which is separate from the UHC website and app. When you search, you'll see a range of in-network options, including high-value, lower cost providers, as well as virtual care.
You can search in a few different ways:
- Enter search terms like provider names or specialties, such as dermatology.
- Search for care by entering common words, symptoms or conditions, like "back pain" or "my head hurts“—and search results will show different provider types and treatment options.
Search results display providers and care options as well as your copay amount. No matter what you search for, all results shown are in-network.
What is a Care Rating?
When you search on the Surest website or app, a Care Rating displays next to the provider or facility. Care Ratings are a simple way to help you navigate care options and potentially save you money. Surest evaluates providers and locations based on past claims data. Higher ratings are given to high-value providers with a record of quality, safety, efficiency and effectiveness, such as lower rates of complications after surgeries and better use of resources. Providers with a higher Care Rating are assigned a lower copay.
The top five things to know about the Surest Advantage Plan
- Compare costs before making an appointment. No deductibles. No coinsurance. No hard math. Instead, clear and upfront prices. The Surest app and website show you prices for providers in your area before you need care, giving you control and helping you save.
- For office visits and many procedures—from having an MRI to having a baby—you see one price. By grouping these services—combining the labs and x-rays that go along with a medical procedure or test into one price—Surest makes it easier for you to know what you'll pay in advance.
- Access the UHC Choice Plus network. With 1.8M+ providers and 5,600+ hospitals, it's one of the largest provider networks in the U.S.* and includes the same in-network providers and pharmacies as the UHC HSA Plans and UHC Value PPO Plan.
- Pay less when you use high-value providers with a high Care Rating. High-value providers deliver more effective care with fewer complications and better outcomes—while using resources efficiently. On the Surest app or website, you'll see doctors with high Care Ratings have lower copays.
- Same coverage and benefits you rely on. Preventive and primary care, prescriptions, hospitalization and specialist care, plus an annual out-of-pocket maximum that limits your costs for covered care, what you expect to be covered is covered by the Surest Advantage Plan.
* UHC internal analysis as of March 31, 2025.
Learn more
For more information, including finding providers and looking up costs of care:
- Before enrolling in the plan, visit surest.care/stryker.
- Once enrolled in the plan, visit benefits.surest.com or download the free Surest app to create an account where you can compare copays, providers and treatment options when you need care.
- Get a summary of the Surest Advantage Plan by checking out the Surest overview.
- Contact Surest Member Services at 844 530 0139.
Prescription drugs
When you enroll in a medical plan, you automatically receive prescription drug benefits through your medical plan provider.
- For a side-by-side comparison of prescription drug coverage in the UHC plans, see the Plan Comparison section. You can also find the list of covered medications on the prescription drug list. Click on “Standard Drug Lists,” then “Advantage Tier 3 Prescription Drug List for UnitedHealthcare, Neighborhood Health Plan, River Valley, All Savers, and Oxford medical plans (pdf)".
- For more details, see the Summary Plan Description (SPD) or Benefits at a Glance (2026).
Preventive medications
Our medical plans cover preventive care at no cost to you — including certain ACA preventive medications. In addition, for the HSA Plans, we cover certain core preventive medications before the deductible is met, meaning you only pay the appropriate coinsurance until you meet your out-of-pocket maximum.
Prescription drug coverage in the HSA plans
In the HSA plans, there are no copays for prescription drugs. Instead, you pay 100% of the costs for non-preventive prescription drugs, until you meet the HSA plan’s deductible. Once the deductible is met, you pay a portion of the cost (co-insurance). Remember the HSA and your HSA contribution from Stryker are there to help you pay these costs.
Save with Price Edge
The Price Edge program helps you save money on your prescriptions. When you fill a prescription, it compares the prices of generic drugs using cash discount cards with your pharmacy benefit plan prices. This helps you find the lowest cost for your prescription at any in-network retail pharmacy or for home delivery. If your plan has a copay and the Price Edge price is lower than your copay, you will pay the lower price.
Price Edge is available within all UHC plans. It also helps you save on over-the-counter items and other medications not covered by your benefit plan, if you have a prescription.
Options for 90-day maintenance prescriptions
If you enroll in a UHC medical plan, you can fill a 90-day prescription for maintenance medication at a retail pharmacy or by mail. Retail and mail order costs may vary. Check the 2026 Benefits at a Glance for cost information.
Drug tiers
The cost of your prescription drugs depends on the tier of the medication:
- Tier 1: Lower-cost medications that provide the highest overall value. Mostly generic drugs. Some brand-name drugs may also be included.
- Tier 2: Mid-range cost medications that provide good overall value. A mix of brand name and generic drugs.
- Tier 3: Highest-cost medications that provide the lowest overall value. Mostly brand-name drugs, as well as some generics.
Mail order
For ongoing maintenance medication, you can take advantage of the convenience and cost savings of using the mail order program.
Why use mail order:
- Prescriptions are shipped to you for free — no waiting in line at the pharmacy.
- You save money with a reduced cost for a three-month supply.
- You can set up automatic refills.
How to sign up for mail order
Here are three ways to sign up:
- Visit optumrx.com to opt-in. If you already have login credentials for UHC or Surest, you will use those same credentials to login to OptumRx. Otherwise, you will need to create an account.
- Ask your doctor to send an electronic prescription to Optum Home Delivery.
- Call the number on your member ID card.
Save money
The cost of prescription drugs is rising faster than many other health care services and supplies. But, there are ways for you to save on your cost of prescriptions.
- Ask your doctor about generic medications. Generic medications are generally just as effective as brand-name medications, yet the cost of generics is substantially lower, both for you and the plan. They typically cost between 30% and 75% less than brand-name drugs.
- Use the plan’s mail order feature. If you regularly take medication to treat a chronic condition — such as an allergy, heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes — the mail order prescription program is a convenient and money-saving option for you.
Generic vs. Brand
Specialty drugs
Specialty pharmacies provide medications that are used to treat certain complex conditions. Some providers have established a network of retail pharmacies experienced in dispensing and monitoring these special medications. To learn more, contact your provider.