Thank you for visiting the UCR Open Enrollment webpage for retirees and emeriti. If you should have any questions about Open Enrollment or your benefits, please send an email to the HR Central Benefits Office at benefits@ucr.edu.
It is essential for all Emeriti and Retirees to review medical plan design and rate changes that include increased out-of-pocket expenses and copays for all plans. After reviewing the medical plan changes, if you are satisfied with your current benefits elections and not making any changes, then no action is required and all existing benefits will roll over to the new plan year effective January 1, 2027.
Open Enrollment Sign Up
The 2027 Open Enrollment will be open from October 29 - November 20, 2026.
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:
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Continued Strong University Contribution: UC will continue to cover, on average, over 70% of total retiree medical premiums..
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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.
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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.
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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.
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For full details, plan summaries, and cost comparison matrices, please visit the UCNet 2027 Open Enrollment Website
What You Need to Do
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Review Your Options: Use resources like the UCnet Open Enrollment website and your virtual benefits counselor, ALEX, to compare plans and personalized costs.
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Check Your Mail: Keep an eye out for your Open Enrollment packet from UC and emails from RASC for detailed information.
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Take Action: Log in to UCRAYS between 8 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, and 5 p.m. on Friday, November 20, to enroll or make changes to your benefits.
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Medicare Eligible Retirees living outside of California conduct Open Enrollment on the Via Benefits Website
Open Enrollment Resources & Information
- UCR Emeriti & Retirees Pre-Recorded Open Enrollment presentation - Download | Watch Video
- Retiree Anthem Medicare PPO OE Webinar
- Legal Insurance from ARAG Webinar
- Health Net OE Presentation
- United Healthcare for the UC Medicare Choice Health Plan Webinar
- Kaiser Permanente Non-Medicare
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare
- Health Equity/HSA Webinar
- 10/1/2026 - Kaiser Permanente Southern California Medicare Expansion
- 10/14/2026 - Medicare Open Enrollment: Medicare Coordinator Program through Via Benefits October 15 – December 7, 2026
- 10/16/2026 - Open Enrollment Is Coming Soon!
- 10/28/2026 - Open Enrollment UCRAYS Tutorial and RASC's Office hours
- 10/29/2026 - Open Enrollment Begins Today
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If you are 65 and older, you are eligible to enroll in Medicare. To learn about how to enroll properly in Medicare, visit the UCnet Enrolling in Medicare website.
Split Medicare Families
If you have some family members with Medicare coverage and others not currently eligible for Medicare, you’re considered a Split-Medicare family. You and the family members you cover must enroll in plans that work together.
To learn more about Split Medicare Families, please visit the UCnet Split or Mixed Medicare Families webpage.
Comparing Your Medicare Costs for 2027
- Retiree Medical Plan Costs
- Retiree Health Plan Premium Estimator
- Which Medicare plan is right for you?
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To decide which medical plan is right for you, visit the Getting Started webpage of the UC Retiree Open Enrollment website.
Resources for 2027
- UC Care — UC Select Tier 1 - Blue Shield Out of State Provider Search - Use code UCD
- UC Care — Blue Shield PPO Tier 2 - Blue Shield Out of State Provider Search - Use code UCD
- HealthSavings+
- Open Enrollment UCRAYs Tutorial
- Open Enrollment is Here: Highlights for Retirees
Medical Plans for Medicare Retirees
Kaiser Permanente Medicare
Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage HMO (California Plan) is a Medicare Advantage plan, which means that it generally replaces your Medicare coverage. You agree to let Kaiser manage your Medicare benefits.
UC High Option Supplement to Medicare
The UC High Option Supplement to Medicare plan is administered by Anthem Blue Cross (medical) and Navitus (pharmacy)
- UC High Option is a Medicare supplement plan, covering costs Medicare does not cover.
UC Medicare Choice
The UC Medicare Choice is a Medicare Advantage PPO plan (also known as Part C) that generally replaces your Medicare coverage and includes Medicare Parts A, B and D. It also offers some extra benefits that Original Medicare does not cover.
- When you enroll in this plan, you agree to let UnitedHealthcare manage your Medicare benefits
UC Medicare PPO
Administered by Anthem Blue Cross (medical) and Navitus (pharmacy) UC Medicare PPO medical plan is a complement to your existing Medicare coverage; you must receive services from Medicare providers.
UC Medicare PPO Without Prescription Drugs
Administered by Anthem Blue Cross (medical) the UC Medicare PPO Without Prescription Drugs plan is a complement to your existing Medicare coverage; you must receive services from Medicare providers.
- It is offered to those who have Medicare-coordinated medical insurance through UC and Part D prescription drug coverage through a non-UC plan (another group health plan, former employer or individual Part D plan)
Medicare Coordinator Program
Administered by Via Benefits, the Medicare Coordinator Program (MCP) is sponsors by UC for Medicare-eligible retirees and families who live in a state outside of California
Medical Plans for Non-Medicare Retirees
Kaiser Permanente Non-Medicare
Kaiser Permanente Non-Medicare for Retirees (California Plan) is an HMO (health maintenance organization) with a closed network of providers.
Health Savings+ PPO
Administered by Blue Shield of California (medical) and Navitus (pharmacy); supported by Accolade Health Care Advocate, HealthSavings+ is a PPO plan for 2027 that is compatible with a tax-advantaged Health Savings Account (HSA)
UC Blue & Gold for Retirees
Administered by Health Net, the UC Blue & Gold is an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) with a custom network of providers created exclusively for UC. The Blue & Gold network includes all UC medical centers and medical groups, along with coverage in 30 California counties.
- If you’re a CORE or UC Health Savings Plan member and do not choose another plan for 2027 during Open Enrollment, you and your currently enrolled family members will automatically be enrolled in HealthSavings+ if you’re eligible.
UC Care for Retirees
For 2027, UC Care for Retirees will be administered by Blue Shield of California (medical) and Navitus (pharmacy); supported by Accolade Health Care Advocate.
- UC Care is a PPO plan created just for UC to ensure the best possible access to world-class UC hospitals and physicians.
Open Enrollment Events
| Event | Date | Time | Location | Flyer Links | Resources |
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| Anthem Blue Cross Medicare PPO Plan Overview | Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Zoom Meeting | Flyer | |
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Kaiser: Non-Medicare |
Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 9:30am - 10:30am | Zoom Meeting | Flyer | |
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Kaiser: Medicare |
Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Zoom Meeting | Flyer | |
| Blue Shield Accolade/Transcarent | Wednesday, November 4, 2026 | 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm | Zoom Registration | Flyer | |
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Emeriti and Retiree Virtual Help Desk |
Thursday, November 5, 2026 |
8:00 am – 5:00 pm | Email: benefits@ucr.edu • Telephone: (951) 827-2636 or (951) 827-5086 | Flyer | |
| UCR Health Overview Webinar | Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 11:00am to 12:00pm | Zoom Meeting | Flyer | |
| United HealthCare OE Webinar | Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | Zoom Meeting | Flyer | |
| UC Riverside's Annual Benefits, Health & Wellness Fair | Thursday, November 12, 2026 | 10:00am to 2:00pm | Registration | Flyer | |
| Blue Shield Accolade/Transcarent | Friday, November 13, 2026 | 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm | Zoom Registration | Flyer | |
| California Casualty Webinar | Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | 10:00am to 11:00am | Zoom Meeting | Flyer | |
| Health Net HMO Webinar | Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 11:00am to 12:00pm | Zoom Meeting | Flyer | |
| Blue Shield Accolade/Transcarent | Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm | Zoom Registration | Flyer | |
| Health Equity/HSA | Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Zoom Meeting | Flyer |