Open Enrollment
Enroll by Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, at 5 p.m. (PT)
Cambios y opciones en los planes médicos para 2027
Medical plan changes and choices
UC is working to manage rising healthcare costs while continuing to offer comprehensive coverage, with the same plan choices and plan administrators as offered today.
UC covers, on average, about 86% of the total cost of medical premiums across pay bands and coverage tiers, contributing $294 million more than last year toward health benefits. UC Health is helping reduce underlying medical costs by limiting increases in what UC’s medical plans pay for care from UC Health providers.
Important correction to mailed brochure: The medical plan comparison chart in your mailed brochure incorrectly listed the 2026 maximum contribution amounts for the Health Savings Account (HSA). As noted on the HealthSavings+ page (and reflected in ALEX and UCPath) the HSA maximum contributions for 2027 are $4,500 for single coverage and $9,000 for family coverage.
Take time to review your options to help you choose the right medical plan for you and your family.
Medical plan changes for 2027
For Kaiser HMO, the Optum Behavioral Health overlay to Kaiser CA HMO and UC Blue & Gold HMO, annual out-of-pocket maximums will increase to $3,000 for individual coverage and to $6,000 for two-party and 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.
Behavioral health office visits will continue to have a $30 copay for UC Blue & Gold HMO members, UC Care members and Kaiser members receiving behavioral health services through Optum. Next year, the copay will apply beginning with the first visit.
Accolade, the healthcare advocate for UC Care and HealthSavings+ members, is becoming Transcarent, with a new app, tools and features to help you understand benefits, find care and get answers to health care questions. Usernames, passwords and all Accolade information and support history will carry over to the new app, and the same phone number will remain available for help.
Kaiser CA HMO and UC Blue & Gold HMO will continue to implement California mandates that increase cryopreservation storage and expand infertility coverage to donors and surrogates.
Eligibility for Kaiser Mid-Atlantic HMO is expanding to employees from any UC location who live and work in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Need help deciding?
- Compare your costs for care with Which medical plan is right for you?
- Compare premium costs for UC’s medical plans
HealthSavings+ (Blue Shield of California)
High-deductible health plan with UC’s lowest monthly premium, compatible with a tax-advantaged Health Savings Account (HSA). Higher out-of-pocket costs are offset by UC’s contribution to your HSA (up to $750 for single coverage and up to $1,500 for family coverage). Offers access to UC Health and other quality providers.
Kaiser HMO (Kaiser Permanente)
Predictable costs for integrated care within the Kaiser network. You must be a California resident and live or work in a Kaiser California service area. Can be paired with UC’s Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
UC employees from any location who live and work in the Mid-Atlantic region can choose the Kaiser Mid-Atlantic HMO plan, at the same premium cost as Kaiser CA HMO.
UC Blue & Gold HMO (Health Net)
Predictable costs, with access to UC Health and other quality providers in the UC Blue & Gold network. Your care is managed by the medical group you choose. You must be a California resident, and live or work in a Health Net California service area. Can be paired with UC’s Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
UC Care PPO (Blue Shield of California)
Higher premium for choice of provider tiers, with UC Health providers available in the lowest-cost UC Select tier. Can be paired with UC’s Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA).