Open Enrollment is almost here! Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review, evaluate, and make changes to your UC health and welfare benefits for the upcoming 2027 plan year. Choosing the right coverage for you and your family is an essential decision, and Central Human Resources is here to support you in every step.

Before enrollment opens, please take a moment to read an important message from Dianna Henderson, Vice President of Systemwide Human Resources, detailing systemwide health benefit updates, rising healthcare trends, and how the University of California is working to manage employee costs for 2027.

To help you navigate your options, Central Human Resources and our plan partners are hosting informational webinars, virtual help desks, and our signature on-campus fair. Below is the complete chronological schedule of all events from the earliest pre-enrollment overview to the close of Open Enrollment:

What to Know About Your 2027 Benefits & Costs

As healthcare costs continue to rise nationwide, the University of California remains committed to preserving comprehensive coverage and strong plan choices:

• Continued Strong University Contribution: UC will continue to cover, on average, over 70% of total retiree medical premiums..

• Stable Carrier Options: UC will continue to offer its full suite of medical plans with no carrier changes for 2027. Health Net will continue to administer the UC Blue & Gold HMO through the end of 2027.

• Out-of-Pocket Maximums: Annual out-of-pocket maximums for Kaiser Permanente and UC Blue & Gold HMO will adjust to $3,000 for individual coverage and $6,000 for two-party and family coverage.

• UC Health Network Partnership: UC Health continues to help mitigate healthcare costs by limiting rate increases for care delivered across UC medical centers and clinics.

• For full details, plan summaries, and cost comparison matrices, please visit the UCNet 2027 Open Enrollment Website and the UCR Retirement Center Open Enrollment Website

Will Your Current Benefits Automatically Roll Over?

• Yes, for most plans: If you are satisfied with your existing medical, dental, vision, life, and disability selections, no action is required. Your current elections will roll over into 2027 automatically.

• It is important to review your cost for medical, dental and vision as there were increases in rates based on graduated eligibility.

Action Checklist: 5 Steps to Take Before October 29

Take these five proactive steps in UCPath right now so you are fully prepared when Open Enrollment begins:

1. Verify Your Personal & Contact Information

   • Log in to UCRAYS: UCRP pension and retiree health benefits and navigate to the email and address link on the left panel

   • Verify your home and mailing address to ensure paper Open Enrollment packets reach you. Also confirm your phone numbers and preferred email address so you receive critical benefit notifications.

2. Review Your Current Benefits 

   • Review your current benefits on the Income and Benefits tab.

3. Verify Your Dependent Information

   • Confirm that all enrolled dependents are accurately listed with correct dates of birth and Social Security Numbers. 

   • If updates are needed, submit a UBEN 100 — UBEN 100 — Retiree Continuation, Enrollment, or Change - Medical, Dental, &/or Legal Plan  or UBEN 131 — Address Change Notice (UBEN 131)  form to RASC via your UCRAYS Messages email.

4. Complete Dependent Eligibility Verification (UnifyHR)

   • If you received a Family Member Eligibility Verification notice from UnifyHR, ensure you upload all requested supporting documents immediately. Important: Unverified dependents will lose coverage effective December 31, 2026, and cannot be re-enrolled during Open Enrollment.

5. Sign up for the CUCSA Town Hall on the 2027 Open Enrollment

   • Have questions about what to expect for 2027 Open Enrollment? Join the Council of UC Staff Assemblies (CUCSA) on Oct. 26 at 11:30 a.m. (PT), for a systemwide town hall - Register for the Benefits Town Hall

Support & Contact Information

• Central Human Resources Benefits Office: Contact UCR Benefits by email at benefits@ucr.edu or call 951-827-2636 / 951-827-5086.

• UCR Retirement Center OE Website |  UCNet OE Website