This year’s Open Enrollment brings good news about costs and a few important changes. Here are some highlights:

• Continued low costs — Despite increases in health care costs nationwide, UC’s premium changes for faculty and staff are moderate, with some members even seeing decreases. Changes to employee contributions for single coverage across all pay bands range from a decrease of $12 per month to an increase of $16 per month. See this year’s rates.

• Termination of Western Health Advantage (WHA) — WHA will no longer be offered as a health plan for 2020. WHA members who do not choose another plan during Open Enrollment will be enrolled automatically in UC Blue & Gold HMO.

• New drug formulary for PPO plans — All non-Medicare PPO plans (CORE, UC Care and UC Health Savings Plan) will transition to a new prescription drug formulary within Anthem for 2020. Many members will experience no change, but some will be impacted. 

• New for 2020 — Supplemental Health Plans complement your medical and disability plans by paying cash benefits directly to you if you’re hurt in an accident, experience a serious illness such as a heart attack or stroke, or are hospitalized for almost any reason. 

Explore this website to find more information about these changes and your benefits plans. Then, sign into your personal account to make your changes. You have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, to make changes.

Changes you make during Open Enrollment (other than enrollment in pet insurance) are effective Jan. 1, 2020.