Open Enrollment is here: Choose your benefits by Nov. 20, 2026

Open Enrollment runs from 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29, through 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026.

This is your annual opportunity to review your benefits and make choices that will work best for you and your family next year. The same medical, dental and vision plans will be available, with no changes to carriers or plan administrators. Premiums and some plan costs will change, though, so it’s a good idea to consider your options carefully.

Understanding this year’s changes

Visit the Open Enrollment website and UCnet for details about what’s changing.

Here’s what a few of the bigger changes might mean for you:

• Medical plan premiums are increasing: If you are represented by a union, your medical premium contributions are determined by the terms of your bargaining unit agreement. ALEX is the best resource to understand your specific costs. For employees whose premium contributions are not set by a bargaining agreement, monthly contributions will increase across plans.

• Some out-of-pocket costs are increasing: For example, in 2027, the annual out-of-pocket maximum for Kaiser HMO and UC Blue & Gold HMO will be $3,000 for self-only coverage and $6,000 for two-party and family coverage. To help you understand this change:
  • “Out-of-pocket” refers to the amount you pay at the time you receive healthcare and services. In the HMO plans, you pay a fixed dollar amount (called a “copay”) for most care, and a percentage of the covered cost (called “coinsurance”) for some supplies and prescriptions.
  • A “deductible” is the amount a member pays before the plan starts paying its share of covered costs. UC’s HMO plans have a $0 deductible, so the plan starts paying right away.
  • For members with higher costs for covered care or prescriptions, the “out-of-pocket maximum” limits how much you pay in copays and coinsurance during the year. There are certain services and supplies that do not apply to the plan’s out-of-pocket maximum, so it’s important to review your plan booklet for those exceptions.
• California Casualty will again offer auto, home and renters insurance: Beginning December 1, you can contact California Casualty to request a quote for coverage, with exclusive rates and flexible payment options, including payroll deduction.

Explore your options and enroll by Nov. 20

Use these tools and resources to compare your options and get answers to questions:

• The Open Enrollment website explains choices, changes and costs for 2027.
• ALEX, UC’s virtual benefits guide, is available in English, Spanish and Chinese to help you compare medical plan costs, providers and coverage options — based on your union representation, provider preferences and answers about your health care needs.
• Your Open Enrollment packet and emails from UCPath and your medical plan will provide more information and reminders.
• If you are represented by a union, your union representative can provide additional information about how your bargaining unit agreement applies to these benefit changes.

If you want to keep your current medical, dental and vision coverage, you do not need to make a change. You must actively re-enroll in your health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, however, and if you participate in HealthSavings+, you should review your HSA contribution.

To enroll or make changes, go to UCPath between 8 a.m. (PT) Thursday, Oct. 29, and 5 p.m. (PT) Friday, Nov. 20.