Open Enrollment is here: Important medical plan changes for 2027

Open Enrollment runs from 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026. You’ll have the same health plan choices next year, with no changes to plan administrators.

As medical costs rise, UC will invest an additional $294 million in benefits, and UC Health will absorb part of its rising delivery costs to support continued access to its care.

Your Open Enrollment brochure explains medical plan choices, changes and costs, UC’s Open Enrollment website, has details and resources, and you can visit UC Retirement At Your Service (UCRAYS) if you decide to make changes. If you’re not making changes, you don’t need to do anything! Your current coverage will continue, but your medical plan premiums may change.

Important correction to mailed brochure: Three figures included in the medical premium information under “When one or more family members are not Medicare-eligible” are incorrect (the Medicare Part B reimbursement for Kaiser HMO/Senior Advantage for “Self (in Medicare) + Child(ren)” and for “Self + 2 Adults in Medicare” and the premium for UC Care/UC Medicare PPO for “Self (in Medicare) + Child(ren)”). The correct information is provided on the retiree medical plan costs page, in UCRAYS and in the retiree health premium estimator.

Open Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions

1. If I’m happy with my current retiree health coverage from UC, do I need to do anything?

No! If you don’t act, your current coverage will continue, but your medical plan premiums may change. Review your Open Enrollment packet and visit ucal.us/oe to learn about plan and cost changes and make sure your coverage still works for you.

2. What’s changing for UC’s medical plans this year?

You’ll have the same health plan choices next year, with no changes to plan administrators. Health Net will continue to administer UC Blue & Gold HMO through 2027.

Some premium costs will be higher in 2027 while others are staying the same, so consider your options carefully before deciding whether to stay with your current plan or make a change.

The Medicare True Out-of-Pocket, or TrOOP, max will be $2,400.

For non-Medicare plans:

• HMO out-of-pocket maximums will increase to $3,000 for selfonly coverage and $6,000 for family coverage. An out-of-pocket maximum is the most you pay during a plan year for covered care and services. After you reach the maximum out-of-pocket dollar amount, the plan pays 100% of covered costs for the remainder of the year.

• UC Care, UC Blue & Gold HMO and Optum Behavioral Health will charge a $30 copay starting with the first behavioral health visit, rather than after the first three visits.

• UC Blue & Gold HMO will cap the 50% coinsurance for prescription weight loss and erectile dysfunction drugs at $250 per prescription.

• Accolade, the healthcare advocate for HealthSavings+ and UC Care, has a new name: Transcarent. It will also offer a new app, tools and features.

3. Can I see the same provider next year?

Health plan administrators, including those who work with UC (such as Health Net and Blue Shield of California), negotiate with provider groups to participate in their networks, so provider network changes are always possible if contracts are not renewed. Before you decide on a plan for 2027, it’s a good idea to contact your primary care provider to confirm whether they will be in-network next year.

4. What’s changing for UC’s non-medical plans this year?

California Casualty will offer exclusive rates on auto, home and renter coverage. Beginning Dec. 1, call 866-680-5142 or visit CalCas.com/UC to learn more, request a quote and start the application process for 2027 coverage.

UC will continue to cover the full cost of dental insurance for retirees eligible for the full UC contribution. If you do pay part of the premium, dental coverage costs are increasing by 2.5% for the DeltaCare HMO plan and by 2% for the PPO plan. Go to Other Benefits on the Open Enrollment website to learn more and estimate your costs. Warby Parker will join the VSP provider network.

5. I’m not eligible for UC’s full contribution to my retiree medical and dental premiums. How do I know how much I’ll pay in 2027?

If you’re not eligible for the full UC contribution to your premium, known as “graduated eligibility,” your costs will be higher than those listed in your Open Enrollment booklet. To find your actual 2027 premium costs, log in to UCRAYS or go to the Retiree Health Plans Premium Estimator.

6. I’m considering changing medical plans. How can I figure out what to choose?

UC offers a range of medical plans, with different rules, provider networks and costs, so it’s worth reviewing your options.

Visit the Open Enrollment website for plan comparison resources under Medical Plans and answers to frequently asked questions under Getting Help.

7. I want to change plans for 2027. What do I need to do?

You have until 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, to make changes through your UCRAYS account. If you’re changing from one Medicare plan to another, you’ll also need to complete a Medicare assignment form for your new medical plan. You’ll receive the form with the confirmation statement sent to your UCRAYS account, if you have one, or mailed to your home if you don’t.