Disney<\/a> employees are getting a less magical update to their benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n Employees were recently notified that, starting in 2027, they will no longer be able to add a spouse to their Disney health plan if the spouse has access to medical coverage through their own employer, a Disney spokesperson confirmed to The Independent. Other dependents will not be affected. <\/p>\n Puck<\/a> first reported the change, which does not affect dental or vision benefits, saying more than 200,000 U.S. Disney employees were notified.<\/p>\n \u201cLike a growing number of large employers, we’re making measured adjustments to our employee benefits in response to rising healthcare costs<\/a> nationwide,\u201d Disney told The Independent in a statement. <\/p>\n \u201cWe will be communicating these changes in more detail with our employees over the next few months. As always, we remain committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive package of high-quality coverage and other benefits that support their total health and well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n Many affected spouses could end up with higher premiums, bigger deductibles or less coverage through their own employers. The change could hit lower-paid, hourly Disney workers especially hard, according to Puck and Business Insider<\/a>.<\/p>\n The health insurance change is part of larger adjustments to Disney\u2019s ironically named \u201cTotal Rewards\u201d program, which covers employee compensation and benefits. Disney said it will add several employee benefits, including an Employee Stock Purchase Plan in 2027, expanded Disney health centers in Burbank, Anaheim and Central Florida, and doubling Employee Assistance Program counseling sessions from 10 to 20 per topic each year.<\/p>\n![\"Starting](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1727481754...jpeg\")
Starting in 2027, employees cannot add spouses to Disney\u2019s health plan if they have their own employer-sponsored coverage (AFP\/Getty)<\/p>\n