In our CUCSA Town Hall on Tuesday, October 22, 2025, we invited Maynard Jenkins, Executive Director of Benefits Programs & Strategy, and his team to update us on changes to healthcare benefits for 2026 Open Enrollment and to answer staff questions.

Related Links and Resources

Q&A

We received a number of great questions during the session, and while we did our best to address as many as possible, we unfortunately ran out of time before we could respond to them all.

To ensure you have the information you need, the Systemwide Benefits Team compiled the unanswered questions along with their responses below.

General Enrollment & Life Events

  • Are we allowed to opt out of any/all health insurance plans while working for UC? Enrollment in UC health insurance plans is optional.
  • Both my spouse and I work for UC. We recently got married. In general, is it best for us to be enrolled in plans separately or add the other to one of our plans? This is a personal choice. You can compare plan premiums for employee-only and employee + spouse premiums using the ALEX virtual benefits counselor. See your Open Enrollment brochure for a QR code, or link from us.ucal/oe.
  • I am currently on my spouse’s insurance plan but coverage through their job ends in a few months. Would that be counted as a life-changing event and allow me to enroll in coverage at that time? Or should I enroll now? Yes, an involuntary loss of a spouse’s coverage will trigger a 31-day Period of Initial Eligibility to enroll in UC plans.
  • If a child goes out of state for college mid-year, would that qualify as a life event and can they be removed from the insurance? No, you need to select a plan during Open Enrollment that will provide out-of-state coverage to your child, such as UC Care or HealthSavings+.
  • When my son starts college in September 2026, can I change medical plans at that time to allow regular out-of-state care? No, you need to select a plan during Open Enrollment that will provide out-of-state coverage to your child, such as UC Care or HealthSavings+.
  • When an employee’s child turns 18, will they still be considered ’employee + child’ in plan, or will the option be ’employee + adult’? An employee’s child is considered a “child” for the purposes of plan enrollment until they turn 26. “Employee + adult” refers to the employee and spouse or domestic partner.
  • My husband can add me to his Kaiser (at no cost) but not till June. I prefer to not pay a high rate at Kaiser starting in January. Can I enroll in a cheap plan now in January and enroll back in Kaiser with my husband’s employer in June? Yes, if you gain coverage under your spouse’s medical plan, you may cancel UC coverage outside of UC’s Open Enrollment period.
  • How can I change my benefits to un-enroll my adult children from my healthcare plan? Family members can be disenrolled during Open Enrollment, through UCPath’s self-service portal.
  • How do you add a dependent to your already existing coverage? How do you remove a dependent if they get their own coverage? Dependents may be added or removed during Open Enrollment. In addition, a dependent may be added when they become eligible (for example, a stepchild can be added then the employee marries the child’s parent, or a child can be added when born or adopted), by accessing the self-service Life Event in UCPath. Similarly, a dependent can be removed from coverage using the Life Event self-service screens in UCPath, but for a mid-year change an eForm and proof of non-UC coverage will need to be submitted. Log in to UCPath, click on “Benefits & Retirement,” then click on “Update My Benefits” and follow the Life Event instructions. Click “Ask UCPath” or call the UCPath Center if you need help. Outside of Open Enrollment, all changes must be made within 31 days of the qualifying life event.
  • My daughter is aging out at the end of October. She is a full-time nursing student at Betty Irene. Can I still cover her? No, children 26 years or older are no longer eligible for coverage under their parent, regardless of student status.
  • If I am enrolled in UC Care now and re-enroll for 2026, but retire in July 2026, will my provider change from Blue Cross (January 26-June 26) to Anthem UC Care Medicare Supplement? Assuming you are age 65+ when you retire, your Medicare Supp options will continue to be administered by Anthem.
  • Retiring in January 2026. Presume the medical information for retirees will be in this upcoming OE? Please see this website for retiree Open Enrollment information: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/oe/retiree-start/. Note that retirement is not a qualifying event to change health plans. If you are 65 or older, upon retirement you will need to enroll in the UC Medicare “partner plan”—for more info see https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/roadmaps/enrolling-in-medicare/
  • So to clarify, if I retire and choose COBRA, will I pay 102% of MY premium or 102% of the TOTAL premium (what UC currently will pay as well as what I pay)? Thank you. COBRA premium is 102% of the total premium (Employee premium + UC premium).
  • If turning 65 in 2026 and continuing to work at UC, do you have to sign up for Medicare Part D to avert a future penalty? Can you participate in the HSA+ plan? UC employee plans meet creditable coverage levels required by Medicare, so you can remain enrolled in your current plan if you will continue employment with UC after you turn 65. You should not enroll in Medicare Part A or B until you retire. Enrollment in Medicare makes you ineligible to enroll in the HealthSavings+ plan.
  • What are the requirements in Health Care for a person turning 65 years of age next year? The answer to this question is complex. For full details about becoming Medicare eligible while employed, please see the Medicare Fact Sheet at https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/wp-content/uploads/forms/pdf/medicare-factsheet.pdf
  • My husband will turn 65 next March. He currently enrolled at UCI HealthNet. What should he do at this year’s open enrollment? To best understand your options, join a monthly Medicare webinar hosted by the RASC liaisons: https://ucop.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tYF0PBA1SZqBe4piShHMlA#/registration, or speak with your local Benefits Office: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/personalized-support/location-contacts/, or Healthcare Facilitator: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/personalized-support/health-care-facilitators/.
  • Options to continue full work coverage, but eligible for Medicare too. Preference is to retain full work coverage. Employees age 65 or older are not required to sign up for Medicare as long as they are actively employed and eligible for UC medical coverage. For more information, see https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/retirees/retiree-benefits/retiree-health/medical-plans-for-retirees/for-retirees-uc-coverage-and-medicare/
  • Hi, I’m looking to retire next year. Can you tell me if UCI coverage is creditable (related to Medicare)? Thanks All UC faculty/staff medical plans have creditable coverage.
  • Will you cover rates for UC retiree insurance? This town hall is focused on changes to plans for active employees.
  • Will retiree medical coverage be reviewed today? No.
  • They mentioned we have to do open enrollment even if not making changes. What is the procedure for that? If you take no action during Open Enrollment, benefits enrollments will carry forward to 2026 with the following exceptions: 1) If you are enrolled in CORE or Health Savings Plan, you will be moved to the new HealthSavings+ PPO plan as of January 1, 2026; and 2) Health Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account require re-enrollment every year.
  • If pay bands for all of next year are determined based on salaries in January of 2025 (ten months ago!) but I earn significantly less now than I did then (and should be in a lower band), what can I do (except for pay the premiums of someone with a significantly larger salary)? You may request a review of your salary band placement from UCPath. Note that salary bands are based on the full-time equivalent salary, so if you are earning less due to a reduction in time, and your FTE salary has not decreased, your salary band will not change.
  • Are there plans to change the health salary bands? I am $200 over, my cost has doubled, and I’m making less now. UC plans to reassess salary bands for medical plans in 2026 for the 2027 plan year.
  • If I cross into a higher salary bracket, when will my cost of benefits be affected? Will the cost ever be the same for everyone? Pay bands are based on your salary as of January of the prior year. For example, for the 2026 plan year, your pay band is determined by your salary as of January 2025. UC uses pay banding to determine employee contributions to medical plans to help ensure that employees across all income levels have access to the range of medical plans offered.
  • Sorry if this is obvious, but is the Pay Band based on gross salary from the previous tax year? Pay band is based on gross salary as of January of the prior year (e.g., for plan year 2026, pay band is based on salary in June 2025).
  • Do you have any advice for out-of-contract union members on navigating the health care cost changes? Employees whose union contracts are in status quo as of January 1, 2026 will be charged the 2025 medical plan premium rates in 2026, until a new contract is agreed upon or other action is taken in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Union members will be notified prior to rate changes going into effect.
  • I know union/bargaining can impact the answer to this question, but how much can we anticipate Kaiser insurance to increase? Employee premiums for those in a bargaining unit will be based on the terms of their agreement. Policy-covered employees will see increases to Kaiser that will vary based on their pay band and coverage level. Members in pay band 2 will see increases ranging from $28 to $97 per month.
  • As a UC employee that transitioned from Oakland, I’d like to know if we qualify for CALPERS? UC has its own retirement plan, UCRP, and does not participate in the CalPERS retirement plan. For more information about UC’s retirement benefits, please visit https://myucretirement.com/
  • I have tried a few times to better understand the retirement packages and I feel like I don’t know who I can talk to. We recommend attending a live webinar—see the options and timing at https://myucretirement.com/webinars/overview. If you still need help, one-on-one appointments are available with Fidelity advisors who are dedicated to UC—to make an appointment see https://digital.fidelity.com/prgw/digital/wos/one-on-one?planSponsorId=700003

Health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Savings Accounts (HSA)

  • Does Health FSA rollover if not used? Up to $660 will rollover from 2025 to 2026. Unclaimed amounts in excess of $660 will be forfeited.
  • Will remaining funds in a 2025 Health FSA rollover to a 2026 Health FSA? Is it the same for the Dependent Care FSA? Up to $660 in the Health FSA will rollover from 2025 to 2026. Unclaimed amounts in excess of $660 will be forfeited. Dependent Care FSA does not have a rollover feature; rather that program has a grace period for submitting claims incurred in early 2026. See https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/home-family/depcare-fsa/#work
  • Can FSA or HSA funds be used for LifeMD for weight loss? Please visit the WEX website for a list of Health FSA-eligible expenses: https://www.wexinc.com/resources/benefits-toolkit/eligible-expenses/
  • What is the max dollar amount for the Limited Purpose FSA? No more than $660 can be transferred into the Limited Purpose FSA from the Health FSA. Participants cannot contribute additional funds to the LPFSA.
  • If I start with an HMO/FSA but switch to the HSA plan later due to a life event, will I have to pay back anything already spent on the FSA, or how would that work? Due to IRS regulations, the circumstances in which you may change from an FSA to an HSA mid-year are very limited. Please see the Health Flexible Spending Account booklet on UCnet for details.
  • If I have $640 in a FSA account, but do not select FSA for next year, will I still have access to that $640? For the Health FSA, you can roll forward into the following year up to $660. If you are enrolled in HealthSavings+ next year, the balance will be moved to a Limited Purpose FSA, which has different rules—search “Limited Purpose FSA” on UCnet for more details.
  • For current Medical FSA holders, can they rollover the HSA Account for 2026? FSA balances may not be rolled over into HSA accounts.
  • Is HSA available to add to all plans? No, the Health Savings Account is available only under the new HealthSavings+ plan. For other medical plans, you may establish a Health Flexible Spending Account, to which you may contribute to cover eligible health expenses on a pre-tax basis. UC does not contribute to the Health FSA.
  • Can I have Kaiser and the HSA plan? No, the Health Savings Account is available only under the new HealthSavings+ plan. For other medical plans, you may establish a Health Flexible Spending Account, to which you may contribute to cover eligible health expenses on a pre-tax basis. UC does not contribute to the Health FSA.
  • Can you concurrently have HSA and UC Blue & Gold? No, the Health Savings Account is available only under the new HealthSavings+ plan. For other medical plans, you may establish a Health Flexible Spending Account, to which you may contribute to cover eligible health expenses on a pre-tax basis. UC does not contribute to the Health FSA.
  • Can you sign up for HSA with UC Care? No, the Health Savings Account is available only under the new HealthSavings+ plan. For other medical plans, you may establish a Health Flexible Spending Account, to which you may contribute to cover eligible health expenses on a pre-tax basis. UC does not contribute to the Health FSA.
  • Do employees have to match amounts for the HSA account for the UC to contribute our account? No, there is no requirement to match the employer contribution to your HSA.
  • Please explain how the Health Savings+ account works where UC contributes funds. Do they need to be matched by employee? In 2026, UC will fund HSA $750 for individual coverage and $1,500 for family coverage. No match required.
  • Explain HSA—how do you find out how much to put into your account a month, how do you find out how much a medication will cost? HSA is a tax-advantaged account attached to a qualified high deductible plan to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses. To learn more about UC’s HSA, please visit https://facultystaffppo.universityofcalifornia.edu/ppo/employee-health-plans-rx/uc-health-savings-plan#HSA. You can price prescription drugs by visiting the Navitus search tool at https://benefitplans.navitus.com/university-of-california
  • If we have the current HSA plan and would like to continue on to HealthSavings+, will that use the same HSA account? Yes.
  • Which is better, FSA or HSA? A Health Savings Account is available only with the new HealthSavings+ plan. All other UC medical plans are eligible to be used with a Health Flexible Spending Account. For a comparison of HSA and FSA, please see https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/details-about-your-benefits/tax-savings-know-your-options/
  • Is the DepCare FSA salary cap for individual or household? Technically the “highly-compensated employee” cap applies to the employee and their spouse. However, at this time, UC does not usually know when two employees are married to each other; therefore, the cap is applied to the employee who elects DepCare participation. Note it is the responsibility of the taxpayer to comply with IRS regulations regarding Flexible Spending Account limits.
  • What are the ages to qualify for dependent care? Children must be less than 13 years old for their child care expenses to qualify for the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account.

Medical Plan Coverage & Changes (Overall)

  • Does ALEX have information on the US behavioral health plan rebate? No. Information about the rebate can be found at: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/details-about-your-benefits/affordable-care-act/#mlr
  • I received a letter mail from US behavioral health plan regarding “Health insurance premium rebate year 2024,” what is it? This is a mandatory notice that US Behavioral Health Plan—parent company of Optum Behavioral Health—is required to send to plan participants if the plan issues a medical loss ratio (MLR) rebate. The MLR is the percentage of insurance premium dollars spent on reimbursement for clinical services and activities to improve health care quality. Large group insurers must spend at least 85% of premium dollars on claims and activities to improve health care quality. The employer portion of the rebate that UC receives is used to reduce the Optum Behavioral Health premiums for a subsequent plan year.
  • Will the US Behavioral Health Plan CA rebates be distributed as a one-time cash rebate or applied to next year’s premiums? Thanks The employer-portion of the rebate received from US Behavioral Health plan (parent company of Optum Behavioral Health) is used to reduce the contract premiums for the Optum plan in a subsequent plan year.
  • Do any of the plans offer gym benefits/discounts to promote health and wellness? Our plans offer discounts through programs such as Active&Fit Direct and OnePass. Visit your plan’s microsite and look for the Health & Wellness Benefits for more information on what is available.
  • Would the UC consider covering the cost of gym memberships or reimbursement for fees as part of their health care plan? This is not under consideration at this time.
  • What are the preventive health and wellness benefits from each health plan on offer? All of UC’s health plans cover preventive care at no cost to members. Preventive care is outlined by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/. Each health plan vendor has a number of health and wellness tools and programs that can be found on their microsites. You can link to their microsites from UCnet here: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/health-welfare/medical/.
  • What falls under emergency insurance? UC’s medical plans cover emergency room care for serious, life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
  • Maternity Coverage. Our plans have comprehensive maternity coverage. Check your plan’s SPD or EOC for more details.
  • What are important benefits to sign up for if you will be taking maternity leave in 2026? Medical coverage, Hospital Indemnity, and Voluntary Short-Term Disability. VSTD requires Evidence of Insurability and approval by the carrier. You will not be approved for coverage if you are already pregnant.
  • What mental health service coverage (therapy sessions, medications, etc.) changes will be in place for 2026? There are no changes to the mental health coverage in our plans. However, the provider network for the non-Medicare PPO plans (UC Care and HealthSavings+) are changing effective January 1, 2026, due to the transition from Anthem Blue Cross to Blue Shield of California. The formulary for medications are subject to change throughout the year.
  • Will mental health coverage also change? If so, any additional coverage? Thanks Mental health coverage will not change for 2026.
  • What behavioral health services do you have for Behavioral health employees? Mental health and substance use outpatient counseling/therapy, partial hospitalization, inpatient treatment and hospitalization, along with applied behavioral analysis (ABA) are covered in all of our medical plans. The health plans also cover virtual visits for mental health services.
  • With the steep rate increases to Health Net Blue & Gold the past couple of years, will the behavioral health piece improve? There are no changes to the UC Blue & Gold HMO behavioral health benefits. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of behavioral health professionals nationwide, which can impact members’ ability to find a provider. You can contact Health Net Behavioral Health at 800-663-9355 and request assistance finding a provider accepting patients. Their dedicated customer service representatives will search for providers based on your criteria and call available providers to find you an appointment, doing the leg work for you.
  • I have tried a few times to better understand the retirement packages and I feel like I don’t know who I can talk to. We recommend attending a live webinar—see the options and timing at https://myucretirement.com/webinars/overview. If you still need help, one-on-one appointments are available with Fidelity advisors who are dedicated to UC—to make an appointment see https://digital.fidelity.com/prgw/digital/wos/one-on-one?planSponsorId=700003
  • How can I go about evaluating the value of paying for short-term disability if I have 6 months of accrued sick time? Information about the disability plan can be found on UCnet at https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/health-welfare/disability/. Some locations are holding benefits fairs where the disability vendor, Lincoln Financial Group is on hand to answer questions.
  • Why don’t we pay into state disability? Does UC plan to match the state short-term disability increase to 70% salary coverage? As a public employer, UC is excluded from the California SDI program. Benefits eligible employees have the option to purchase voluntary short-term and/or voluntary long-term disability coverage that will provide income replacement at 60% of salary. The cost of the voluntary coverage is similar to the payroll taxes non-UC individuals pay under the California SDI program.
  • Can information on Legal Services be shared? What services are offered, how does it work? Information about ARAG legal insurance can be found on UCnet page at this link: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/home-family/legal/
  • Pet insurance option. Information on pet insurance can be found on UCnet here: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/home-family/pets/
  • Hello! My question is about open enrollment. Will the expected increases to coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA/Obamacare) have an impact on premiums at UC? No, the Affordable Care Act plan premiums do not affect the UC employee premiums for health plans.
  • Is there a different medical benefits plan than the employee benefits plan? How soon will we be able to review the 2026 plans? The Faculty/Staff benefits program is available to all eligible faculty, other academic appointees and staff. Information on 2026 benefits will be available on UCnet on October 27. Postdoctoral Scholars have a separate benefits program, as do Residents and Fellows.
  • If you are healthy, is it better to get a PPO with HSA benefits or an HMO with FSA benefits? Every individual’s situation and preferences are unique—only you can choose the plan that is the best fit for you. ALEX can help you understand your options and provide side-by-side plan comparisons to help you make an informed decision.
  • HMO vs PPO and the Blue & Gold Plan. You can review the Which Medical Plan is Right For You brochure/online comparison chart on UCnet, or use the ALEX benefits decision support tool to walk you through your plan options, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs based on your projected utilization.
  • Do you foresee people leaving an HMO and moving to HealthSavings+? Each OE period, we see slight movement from one plan to another, whether changes are made or not. Given this particular year with the big changes, we anticipate some migration.
  • Will any benefits be eliminated? Will I still have access to PAMF via UC Care through Blue Shield in 2026? PAMF will still be in-network with Blue Shield in 2026.
  • Will there be any changes to 2026 plans to comply with SB-729? In 2026, infertility benefits will be enhanced in UC Blue & Gold HMO and Kaiser HMO to comply with California SB 729. Members will have access to up to 3 oocyte retrievals and unlimited embryo transfers per member of IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT at plan-specific cost shares. Infertility-related prescription drugs will also be covered at their respective pharmacy tier levels. The mandate is not being implemented for the HealthSavings+ nor UC Care, so the 2 cycles of IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT at 50% coinsurance will remain for 2026.
  • Will UC be increasing its contribution towards fertility coverage or will it remain 50%/50%? In 2026, infertility benefits will be enhanced in UC Blue & Gold HMO and Kaiser HMO to comply with California SB 729. Members will have access to up to 3 oocyte retrievals and unlimited embryo transfers per member of IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT at plan-specific cost shares. Infertility-related prescription drugs will also be covered at their respective pharmacy tier levels. The mandate is not being implemented for the HealthSavings+ nor UC Care, so the 2 cycles of IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT at 50% coinsurance will remain for 2026.

Specific Plan Details (Kaiser, UC Blue & Gold, UC Care, HealthSavings+)

  • As employees of the UC system, why is the UC medical system out of network for some of our health plans? The UC PPO and Blue & Gold plans network include our UC Health system of providers. UC Health is out-of-network with the Kaiser health plan.
  • Can there be medical insurance coverage outside of Kaiser for those living far from Davis and Sacramento? The UC PPO plans offer a broad network of providers. In order to determine the selection of providers available in your specific zip code, you can visit https://facultystaffppo.universityofcalifornia.edu/ppo.
  • Biggest difference going from UC Care to Blue & Gold. Blue & Gold is an HMO plan, and you must select a Primary Care Physician to direct your care and you must receive a referral to see some providers outside of your selected primary care physician.
  • If we have HealthNet, can we use UC Medical Centers/hospitals or specialists if the need arises? Yes, you can have a PCP in a UC Medical Center and therefore use that medical group for your care. However, if your PCP is with a non-UC medical group, you would need a referral to a UC Medical Center/group for care outside your primary medical group.
  • How can I change my network from Optum to UCLA’s Network? If you are enrolled in the UC Blue & Gold HMO, you can call the Health Net Health Benefit Navigator to switch your PCP election from Optum to UCLA. If you are enrolled in a UC PPO plan, you can see providers at either Optum or UCLA.
  • If we moved to a different county, do we have to change a primary care physician? If you’re in an HMO plan, you can choose a medical group and/or PCP that is within 30 miles of your home or your work. If you moved to a county that is farther away from both your home and work, then it may be more convenient to change to a provider and/or medical group closer to you.
  • Is there an option to use Sutter that isn’t a high-deductible plan? Currently we can’t affordably see doctors in Davis. Sutter providers in the Davis area are in-network for UC Care, however they are in Tier 2 with a $500 deductible and 30% coinsurance.
  • What is the cost difference between HN Blue & Gold vs the new HealthSavings+ for a standard doc visit (not a well check appt)? UC Blue & Gold HMO outpatient visits are a $30 copay. In the new HealthSavings+, a member would pay for the cost of the visit until their deductible ($2,500 self/$5,000 family) is met, then they would pay 30% coinsurance (in-network) and 50% coinsurance (out-of-network).
  • Which has the lowest co-pays? Overall, UC Blue & Gold HMO and Kaiser have the lowest copays of our medical plans.
  • Did the out-of-pocket max increase for Blue & Gold this year? No.
  • Do you know if there will be any changes to DME benefits for HealthNet Blue & Gold? There are no changes to the DME coverage in UC Blue & Gold HMO.
  • Is there a way to find out which service areas are eligible for UC Blue & Gold? Yes, you can search “HMO Service Area” in the search bar on UCnet and the respective PDF of the service areas will populate.
  • Will UC Blue & Gold work with UC Health Centers in the Santa Barbara area? Yes.
  • Can you go to an urgent care facility when traveling outside of Northern California with the HMO plan and will it be covered? Thank you. Assuming your visit is an emergent or urgent need, coverage is available.
  • If I cross into a higher salary bracket, when will my cost of benefits be affected? Will the cost ever be the same for everyone? Pay bands are based on your salary as of January of the prior year. For example, for the 2026 plan year, your pay band is determined by your salary as of January 2025. UC uses pay banding to determine employee contributions to medical plans to help ensure that employees across all income levels have access to the range of medical plans offered.
  • I’ll be retiring next year and moving from north CA to south CA. I have Kaiser. Will I have the same level of care and coverage at KP in so cal? Yes, there is no difference in the coverage between Kaiser North and Kaiser South. However, resources may vary in each region. There are benefits differences between the non-Medicare traditional HMO plan and the Kaiser Senior Advantage Medicare plan if you will be aging in to Medicare.
  • Will Kaiser co-pay for chiropractic and acupuncture visits increase? There are no changes to the Kaiser chiropractic and acupuncture copays.
  • Can we expect Kaiser copay increases as well as the increase in premiums? There are no copay changes.
  • For Kaiser, are only the premiums increasing? Or are the co-pays also increasing like they did last year? For 2026, co-pays will remain the same for the most part. Irene mentioned a few mandated changes, but most are enhancements.
  • Can my son use Kaiser of CA when he moves to Seattle – Washington state? Kaiser only covers emergency coverage out of state. I’d recommend looking into one of the PPO plans, which offer national coverage.
  • Will Scripps still remain in-network? Scripps will remain in network. You can only see Kaiser providers if enrolled in the Kaiser HMO.
  • If we enroll in UC Care, does that mean we can see doctors at any UC campus? All UC providers are covered through the UC Care plan.
  • Can you explain what the tiers mean and which one is equivalent to the current UC Care PPO? UC Select Tier 1 is inclusive of UC Health providers and select primary care providers and hospitals in proximity to our UC campuses. Tier 2 is the broader network of our administrator, currently Anthem, and in 2026, it will be Blue Shield of California.
  • Tagging back to a previous question regarding UC Blue & Gold Members having access to UC Health Facilities – can we be sent by our PCP to a UC facility for a procedure if our in-town medical group has a physician that can do the same procedure? Or only if no one in our local medical group does not offer this procedure? PCPs will typically only refer members to a UC Health facility if they are unable to perform the procedure or have the expertise to treat the condition within their medical group.
  • If you select a UC PCP under one of the plans (for example, the PPO), are you limited to ONLY UC specialists & facilities? No, in a PPO plan you can see any specialist or facility without a referral. It is important to check if the providers you plan to use are in-network. Providers out of network cost significantly more. Please visit [link not provided in original answer].
  • Our UC hospitals are so impacted that it is difficult to find a PCP and it takes months to see a specialist. How will this help? We recommend working with Accolade to assist with finding a UC PCP or specialist with availability.
  • What health plan covers providers at the Susan Samueli Institute? Providers with the Institute may or may not be part of the UC health plan networks. If you have a question about the status of a specific provider, you should call customer service of the plan you’re enrolled in. Employees of UCI may have special privileges with assessing the Institute’s services, so they should check with the Institute directly to confirm.
  • It looks like there are no options between high-risk HSA+ and expensive PPO, particularly not for UC workers residing outside of California, is that accurate? The primary options outside CA are the new HealthSavings+ HDHP and UC Care.
  • What plans are available to out of state employees? Out-of-state employees have access to UC’s PPO plans—UC Care and HealthSavings+. Employees of Washington Center (UCDC) will have access to a new Kaiser Mid-Atlantic HMO plan.
  • Will out-of-state employees only have the same limited choices for health insurance? Employees outside of CA will have a choice of UC Care or the new HealthSavings+ high-deductible health plan. Employees based at Washington Center in Washington, D.C. will have the option of a Kaiser Mid-Atlantic HMO plan.
  • Please address any changes that should be top of mind for employees who live out of state and work remotely. Employees who live out of state and are enrolled in UC HSP or CORE will be automatically transitioned to the new high-deductible health plan, HealthSavings+, unless they make another selection. Both HealthSavings+ and UC Care will see a new administrator and provider network with the transition from Anthem Blue Cross to Blue Shield of California.
  • With the phasing out of Anthem Blue Cross to Blue Shield of California in 2026, will there be a website to use to find out if my current doctor will still be in Tier 1 UC Care/Select or if I need to find a new doctor before the new year since I already have a scheduled follow-up appt. with my current doctor in January 2026? If your provider will no longer be in the UC Select/Tier 1 network for Blue Shield of California, you will receive a letter from UC around mid-October informing you. Otherwise, you should always use the Blue Shield website to confirm the status of providers. For Select/Tier 1 providers: https://www.blueshieldca.com/fad/index.html?deeplinkID=UCCareTier1. For Tier 2 providers: https://www.blueshieldca.com/fad/index.html?deeplinkID=UCCareTier2.
  • If I have UC Care, it will go from Anthem Blue Cross to Blue Shield of CA? Correct.
  • Will the new California Blue Shield cover the same physicians (including out of state)? Blue Shield uses the Blue Card network outside of CA. More information will be provided during OE.
  • Will providers in UC Care be in the Blue Cross plan? Both UC Care and the new HealthSavings+ plan will be administered by Blue Shield of California starting January 1, 2026. The provider network will therefore be the Blue Shield network.
  • Will UC Care continue to cover Sutter doctors and facilities? Some Sutter will be in-network and some may not in 2026. To confirm the status of a provider, check the Blue Shield website: for UC Select/Tier 1 providers: https://www.blueshieldca.com/fad/index.html?deeplinkID=UCCareTier1. For Tier 2 providers: https://www.blueshieldca.com/fad/index.html?deeplinkID=UCCareTier2.
  • Will the membership number on the Tier 2 PPO plans change? The Tier 2 PPO provider network will be the Blue Shield of California Tier 2 network starting January 1, 2026.
  • How do I tell if a provider is part of the UC Care Blue Shield Tier 1 or Tier 2? How do I tell the cost of Tier 2 care? For Tier 1: https://www.blueshieldca.com/fad/index.html?deeplinkID=UCCareTier1
  • Will UC CARE co-pay stay the same for 2026? The UC Care cost-share amounts (copays and coinsurance) will remain the same in 2026.
  • Will the behavioral health benefits under UC Care be changing? UC Care behavior health benefits will remain the same in 2026.
  • Is UC looking into offering better health insurance coverage for Out-Of-Network providers? Not at this time.
  • Can you explain how we can avoid being charged for anesthesiologists that are out of our network? Typically, the anesthesiologist follows the participation of the facility you are receiving services. Accolade can assist with confirming network status prior to your service.
  • HealthNetDignityHealth is no longer covering preventative care—breast ultrasound, saying “no billing code”. What is being done? Breast ultrasounds are a covered preventive service at a $0 copayment. Dignity Health should be providing services for this type of care and submitting the claims with the appropriate CPT code(s) affiliated with preventive care. If you are being turned away or your claims are being denied, please contact Health Net’s Customer Service at 800-539-4072 to request assistance resolving this issue.
  • Why was Core and Health Savings combined? It’s resulting in much higher out of pocket for employees who don’t live in CA. The new HealthSavings+ plan will be the lowest cost health plan option in 2026.
  • How does the previous year’s HSA and 2026 HSAplus compare, from Deductibles and Out of Pocket Maximum limits? This question will be covered in the Town Hall.
  • Is HSA going away with HSA+? How does the new HealthSavings+ compare with last year’s HSA plan? Mainly, from in-network standpoint? (e.g., previously HSA has an out-of-pocket maximum of $4,000. HSA+ plan does not specify maximum). An HSA will be available for HealthSavings+. In general, the HealthSavings+ plan will have a higher deductible and out-of-pocket maximum than the current HSP plan. To offset the increase, the HSA employer contribution will be higher than HSP and will be the lowest premium medical plan.
  • I’m confused. Will we be required to pay 30% for in network once the deductible has been met for the HSP+ plan? Correct. HealthSavings+ members are responsible for 100% of allowed costs until the deductible is met. After the deductible is met, members are subject to 30% coinsurance (for in-network care).
  • To clarify, with the new HS+, you pay 30% or 50% of the cost of the visit with a healthcare provider? You pay 30% of costs for in-network care. You pay 50% of costs for out-of-network care, plus any amount above the allowed amount.
  • Why did the out-of-pocket maximum more than double for families on the Health Savings plan from 2025 to 2026? The Health Savings Plan is being replaced by HealthSavings+. In comparison, the out-of-pocket maximum did go up, however the monthly premium cost for employees will be the lowest of all health plan options.
  • Why has the coinsurance gone up for Health Savings+ compared to Core and HSP? The HealthSavings+ plan includes coverage levels between the CORE and HSP plans, and better aligns the cost to the actual value of the plan.
  • Single versus family amounts for OOP max. If I have a dependent with high medical needs/costs, are they considered single amount or do we automatically go to family amount? The costs of each enrolled PPO plan member will count towards a combined family amount. The Blue & Gold HMO has a $1,000 individual/$3,000 family deductible. Kaiser HMO has a $1,500 individual/$3,000 family deductible.
  • You mentioned the new HSA+ plan will be the lowest cost plan available to us, however, it looked liked the deductibles and patient responsibility percentages all increased significantly, some doubled, is that correct (sorry the slide went by as I was doing the math)? HealthSavings+ will be the lowest premium plan as it relates to employee contribution on your paycheck.
  • I am based in the bay area and currently under UC Blue & Gold. I struggle to find doctors that are accepting new patients that take the insurance (that aren’t Amazon One Medical). Are there any resources available to help us find doctors under that plan that are accepting new patients? I find that the Health Net website navigation tool is often out of date. This is particularly important now that Kaiser premiums are going up. Health Net has recently improved their Find a Provider tool to make finding a doctor easier. However, if you need more personalized assistance, you may call their UC-dedicated Health Benefit Navigators at 1-800-539-4072 to find a provider who meets your needs in your geographical area.
  • If switching from UC Care PPO to UC Blue & Gold HMO, will there be change in mental health & fertility benefits? The mental health benefits in UC Care are currently through either UC Care Tier 1 network of providers or Anthem’s network of providers in Tier 2 (along with up to 12 free visits with Accolade Care virtual mental visits). However, the provider network is changing slightly in 2026 with the administration change to Blue Shield of California. UC Care has coverage for out-of-network providers at 50% coinsurance after the deductible if you are using one that is not in Tier 1 nor 2. UC Blue & Gold HMO uses Health Net Behavioral Health’s network of providers, but there is no out-of-network coverage. The copay for in-network UC Care visits and UC Blue & Gold HMO visits are the same at a $30 copay. In 2026, infertility benefits will be enhanced in UC Blue & Gold HMO to comply with California SB 729. Members will have access to up to 3 oocyte retrievals and unlimited embryo transfers per member of IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT at plan-specific cost shares. The mandate is not being implemented for UC Care, so the 2 cycles of IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT at 50% coinsurance will remain for 2026.
  • Will the behavioral health benefits under UC Care be changing? UC Care behavior health benefits will remain the same in 2026.
  • If we moved to a different county, do we have to change a primary care physician? 2. Does any plan cover dental implants? If you’re in an HMO plan, you can choose a medical group and/or PCP that is within 30 miles of your home or your work. If you moved to a county that is farther away from both your home and work, then it may be more convenient to change to a provider and/or medical group closer to you.
  • If I am enrolled in UC Care now and re-enroll for 2026, but retire in July 2026, will my provider change from Blue Cross (January 26-June 26) to Anthem UC Care Medicare Supplement? Assuming you are age 65+ when you retire, your Medicare Supp options will continue to be administered by Anthem.
  • If we have HealthNet, can we use UC Medical Centers/hospitals or specialists if the need arises? Yes, you can have a PCP in a UC Medical Center and therefore use that medical group for your care. However, if your PCP is with a non-UC medical group, you would need a referral to a UC Medical Center/group for care outside your primary medical group.
  • Will any significant formulary changes occur for UC Care? No significant formulary changes other than the weight loss medications new requirements.
  • I have HSA/PPO. How can I understand how prescriptions cost? Do they have a deductible separate from my medical? The deductible is combined with medical and Rx. You can visit the Navitus search tool to price prescription drugs at https://benefitplans.navitus.com/university-of-california
  • Will UC CARE co-pay stay the same for 2026? The UC Care cost-share amounts (copays and coinsurance) will remain the same in 2026.
  • Will UC Care continue to cover Sutter doctors and facilities? Some Sutter will be in-network and some may not in 2026. To confirm the status of a provider, check the Blue Shield website: for UC Select/Tier 1 providers: https://www.blueshieldca.com/fad/index.html?deeplinkID=UCCareTier1. For Tier 2 providers: https://www.blueshieldca.com/fad/index.html?deeplinkID=UCCareTier2.
  • Is the 30% coinsurance for international travel subject to the OOP max for the HealthSavings+ Plan? The 30% coinsurance for the international travel benefit is after the deductible is met and applies to the out-of-pocket maximum.
  • Will the membership number on the Tier 2 PPO plans change? The Tier 2 PPO provider network will be the Blue Shield of California Tier 2 network starting January 1, 2026.
  • Will providers in UC Care be in the Blue Cross plan? Both UC Care and the new HealthSavings+ plan will be administered by Blue Shield of California starting January 1, 2026. The provider network will therefore be the Blue Shield network.

Pharmacy and Weight Loss Medication Coverage

  • Besides GLP and fertility pharmaceuticals coverage, are there any changes in pharmacy copay? Which is most affordable? There are no pharmacy copay changes.
  • How do I determine my cost of my prescription and if they are covered? Each of our medical plans has a formulary where you can check if your drugs are covered, and if so, at what tier. Visit your plan’s page on UCnet to find a direct link to your health plan’s microsite. The prescription drug formulary will be linked from the microsite so that you can search for your respective medications.
  • I have HSA/PPO. How can I understand how prescriptions cost? Do they have a deductible separate from my medical? The deductible is combined with medical and Rx. You can visit the Navitus search tool to price prescription drugs at https://benefitplans.navitus.com/university-of-california.
  • For UC Blue & Gold, will certain drugs be excluded from the out of pocket max, similar to the changes for the PPO? Blue & Gold HMO pharmacy coverage will remain the same as today, with the exception of the weight loss medication BMI eligibility change.
  • Under UC Blue & Gold, what is the copay for Zepbound? In UC Blue & Gold HMO, all appetite suppressant and weight loss medications have a 50% coinsurance, which is what you would pay if you’re taking Zepbound for the primary treatment of obesity. You can search for any medication using Health Net’s commercial drug tool here: https://uc.healthnetcalifornia.com/members/pharmacy.html.
  • Regarding pharmacy benefits: Will GLP-1’s continue to be covered for obesity, with a prior authorization? The criteria for weight loss drugs is changing so that weight loss medications, including GLP-1s, will require a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. Some members currently using these medications may be able to continue to use them in 2026 if their BMI is below 40, but this varies by health plan. UC Blue & Gold HMO members currently using these medications may continue in 2026 if their prescribing provider deems it medically necessary and the member meets the Health Net clinical criteria for Continuation of Therapy. Kaiser, UC Care, and CORE/HSP members moving to HealthSavings+ who began their weight loss medications at a BMI 40 or higher will be able to continue their medications in 2026 as long as their prescribing providers deem it medically necessary. Kaiser members with a BMI under 40 in conjunction with specific comorbidities may have continued access to their weight loss medications. Please check your health plan EOCs or SPDs or contact your health plan directly.
  • What are staff currently utilizing weight loss medications with a starting BMI under 40 supposed to do under 2026 plan changes? Some members currently using these medications may be able to continue to use them in 2026 if their BMI is below 40, but this varies by health plan. UC Blue & Gold HMO members currently using these medications may continue in 2026 if their prescribing provider deems it medically necessary and the member meets the Health Net clinical criteria for Continuation of Therapy. Kaiser, UC Care, and CORE/HSP members moving to HealthSavings+ who began their weight loss medications at a BMI 40 or higher will be able to continue their medications in 2026 as long as their prescribing providers deem it medically necessary. Kaiser members with a BMI under 40 in conjunction with specific comorbidities may have continued access to their weight loss medications. Please check your health plan EOCs or SPDs or contact your health plan directly. Members can work directly with their healthcare providers to find alternate solutions if they are impacted by this criteria change.
  • Weight loss medications are FDA approved and deemed medically appropriate for BMIs much lower than 40. What are the options for current utilizers who started at a BMI of, for example, 39? These medications are improving health for many UC employees. If you started at a BMI below 40 in UC Blue & Gold HMO, you will continue to have access to your weight loss medications if your provider deems them medically necessary and you meet the Health Net Continuation of Therapy criteria. If you started at a BMI below 40 and have specific comorbidities in the Kaiser CA HMO plan, you may also continue to have access to the medications.
  • For Health Net access to GLP-1 medications, if you started your treatment with a BMI less than 40 can you still continue your coverage into 2026 as long as your doctor deems it medically necessary and you meet the prior authorization requirements? Yes, that is correct. Current utilizers of weight loss medications in UC Blue & Gold HMO may continue to use their medications in 2026, regardless of BMI if their provider asserts medical necessity and the member meets the Continuation of Therapy criteria established by Health Net. Certain exceptions may apply if therapy is interrupted for more than 60 days.
  • If you have received authorization/approval from Navitus for a 1-year semaglutide prescription, will that be honored in 2026, or will coverage benefits end as of January 1, 2026, based on the email sent recently stating that the injectables will not be covered if you are under a 40% BMI? In 2026, a member will need to re-authorize that they had a BMI over 40.
  • Will patients already on GLP-1 drugs continue to have coverage for these prescriptions, or will those no longer be covered by insurance regardless of whether you have already been on them for 6+ months. The out-of-pocket costs are unrealistic and yet staying on these drugs is necessary once you have started them. For some plans you will need to re-authorize for GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. GLP-1’s with a diabetes diagnosis will continue. Please check with your health plan for specific details.
  • So with UC Care, if a patient is currently taking a GLP-1, has a BMI less than 40 but has a comorbidity like sleep apnea and prediabetic, will they lose coverage of GLP-1 under the UC Care plan next year? There will not be any exceptions for comorbidities to the BMI 40+ criteria in the UC Care plan in 2026. However, if you started your weight loss treatment with a BMI of 40 or higher, you will continue to have access to your medications. You will be subject to Prior Authorization in 2026. Coverage for GLP-1s for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes will not change.
  • With GLP-1 BMI eligibility increased to 40, will fatty liver and sleep apnea still be approved? Sleep apnea is a comorbidity that will continue to allow for Kaiser members to access weight loss medications with a BMI of 30 and higher in 2026. UC Blue & Gold HMO will not have exceptions for comorbidities for new prescriptions if a member’s BMI is under 40, and there are no exceptions for comorbidities in UC Care nor HealthSavings+.
  • With UC Care and Health Savings+ covering weight loss meds only for those with BMI of at least 40, will there be coverage for the GLP-1s which have been approved for sleep apnea for the treatment of apnea (not just as a comorbidity of obesity)? The weight loss medication eligibility change specifically refers to weight loss treatment. Members should call the Accolade Care Advocate to discuss their specific circumstances, to ensure they receive the most accurate information.
  • To clarify, for those continuing weight loss medication based on PA and medical necessity, that will still go towards OOP max? Weight loss medications, if covered by your plan, will apply to the annual out-of-pocket maximum.
  • How will GLP-1 be handled in HS+? Members of HS+ will need to have a pre-treatment BMI of 40 or above to receive GLP-1s for weight loss only.
  • Are there any plans covering GLP-1s and also grants access to UC physician groups (UC Davis specific)? All UC medical plans, except Kaiser, offer access to UC Health providers. All medical plans will cover weight loss medications, including GLP-1s, for those with a BMI of 40 or above. However, administration of the benefit will differ slightly by plan.
  • Will weight loss medication be available for Type 1 diabetes? GLP-1 medication will be available to enrollees with diabetes. It is not generally used for treatment of Type 1 diabetes, only Type 2.
  • What if you switch from UC Care to B&G HMO and are already taking weight loss meds. Would continuation be allowed? No. You will be subject to the BMI requirement of 40 or higher.
  • Will any significant formulary changes occur for UC Care? No significant formulary changes other than the weight loss medications new requirements.

Dental, Vision, and Supplemental Plans

  • Is there an option to have massage covered by a health plan for someone who has chronic back pain? Aside from the limited massage services that may be available in conjunction with chiropractic care visits, it is not a covered service to address chronic back pain.
  • Do the new infertility benefits apply to remote employees outside of the state of CA, or are those benefits only for those on the CA plans? The enhanced infertility benefits only apply to the Kaiser and UC Blue & Gold HMO plans. The PPO plans that are available to out-of-state employees will have the same infertility benefits in 2026 as in 2025, which includes IUI, and up to 2 IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT cycles per lifetime per member at 50% coinsurance.
  • Will the legislative mandated increase in infertility coverage also apply to PPO plans or the plans that work for out-of-state employees? SB 729: Enhanced infertility benefits is a CA state mandate and only our HMO plans are subject to comply. UC Care and HealthSavings+ will continue the current infertility coverage that is available to members today—IUI, and up to 2 cycles of IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT at 50% coinsurance.
  • Is the Health Savings Plan+ also offering the new fertility coverage for the state of California? No. Only Kaiser and UC Blue & Gold HMO are subject to the enhanced infertility coverage.
  • Is freezing eggs covered? Egg freezing is only covered as part of an infertility treatment cycle. Elective egg freezing is not covered.
  • Any updated IVF coverage per CA new law about 3 full cycles at 100% coverages vs current HMO Blue/Gold of 50% of 2 cycles? If so, is this benefit only for if you go to UC locations vs a larger selection of IVF clinics? Both the Blue & Gold and Kaiser will implement the enhanced infertility benefit in 2026.
  • Can the UC system please support eye surgery procedures such as Lasik? UC’s vision plan provider, VSP, provides eye surgery at a discount.
  • Can you enroll in just dental and not medical? Absolutely!
  • Are children also covered by Delta Dental? Yes. Eligible dependent children may be covered under the UC dental plan.
  • If we moved to a different county, do we have to change a primary care physician? 2. Does any plan cover dental implants? Dental implants are not a covered benefit in either of the UC dental plans.
  • Delta Dental coverage stayed $1,500 for a long time, but cost of service went up. Should coverage be at least $2,000 or more? The current Dental PPO plan has a $1,700 calendar year maximum for services provided by a Delta Dental PPO network provider.
  • Could UC increase Delta Dental coverage from $1,500 to $2,000 or more? Services cost increased, but $1,500 coverage never went up. Current Dental PPO plan has a $1,700 calendar year maximum for dentist in the PPO network. UC conducts benchmarking reviews regularly. Our 2025 review indicates UC’s dental plan designs are competitive with the market.
  • Dental coverage seems to have reduced. Is there anything being done to get better coverage? I.E. 2 cleaning a year again. There has been no changes to the dental plan design.
  • Why is Delta Dental the only dental coverage offered? My dentist in the same town as my UC doesn’t take Delta Dental and seems like many others do not as well. Delta Dental continues to have the broadest network of all dental carriers. We continue to explore alternatives, but no change in plans offered will occur for 2026.
  • Dental insurance—majority of dentists in Davis are no longer taking Delta Dental. In a dental administrator review earlier this year, we learned that dental provider retention issue is an industry trend that is experienced by all dental administrators, not just Delta Dental. Many dentists have discontinued their contract with all dental administrators and have chosen to go independent.
  • Fewer and fewer dentists in our area (and beyond) accept our Delta plan. What is being done about this? In a dental administrator review earlier this year, we learned that dental provider retention issue is an industry trend that is experienced by all dental administrators, not just Delta Dental. Many dentists have discontinued their contract with all dental administrators and have chosen to go independent. Effective 1/1/2026, to help members who can’t find an in-network provider, the Dental PPO plan coverage is increasing from 75% to 80% for some basic services when using a premier network our out-of-network provider.
  • What is being done to provide an alternative to Delta Dental insurance which is no longer accepted by many providers? UC conducted a thorough review to determine if another administrator would better serve the UC community. Our review found that Delta does remain our best choice—changing administrators would put the providers of about 20% of our members out of network. To help members who can’t find an in-network provider, PPO plan out-of-network coverage for select services will be increased effective 1/1/2026.
  • Will you consider adding another dental insurance option? More and more dentists are not accepting Delta Dental. UC conducted a thorough review to determine if another administrator would better serve the UC community. Our review found that Delta does remain our best choice—changing administrators would put the providers of about 20% of our members out of network. To help members who can’t find an in-network provider, PPO plan out-of-network coverage for select services will be increased effective 1/1/2026.
  • Why are all the dental providers dropping Delta Dental Contracts? Provider contracts are between Delta Dental and the dentist.
  • Which dental plan has the best orthodonture? Information on the dental plans and their orthodontic coverage can be found on UCnet here: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/health-welfare/dental/.
  • Please explain what “Enhanced hospital observation requirement” means. The Hospital Indemnity plan provides benefit payment for hospital admission. If a patient is under hospital observation but not yet admitted, benefit payment will be paid if the hospital observation is greater than 18 hours, even if the patient is not admitted.
  • What is hospital indemnity? Information about Hospital Indemnity can be found here: https://ucplus.com/about-the-plans/#Hospital.
  • What type of admissions qualify for the Hospital Indemnity benefit? Information about Hospital Indemnity can be found here: https://ucplus.com/about-the-plans/#Hospital.

Resources & Contacts

  • Will I be able to access ALEX or ALEX Go without the link and QR code from the mailer? ALEX is available at https://start.myalex.com/uc/.
  • What is ALEX? How to use it? ALEX is a virtual benefits counselor, designed to ask you a few questions and provide guidance as to which benefit plans may be the best fit for you. There will be a QR code in the Open Enrollment brochure you will receive in the mail, as well as a link from UCnet. ALEX will have 2026 rates starting October 29.
  • Is the ALEX tool updated to reflect the new rates or should we wait until October 27 to get the best guidance? ALEX will show 2026 premiums as of October 29 (next Wednesday).
  • Does ALEX check doctors, or can it show PAs or NPs? ALEX will show physicians, PAs, NPs and mental health providers. The ALEX provider look-up tool is based on data received from the carriers (Kaiser, Health Net and Blue Shield of California).
  • What is the link to access ALEX – I don’t see it in the article that was shared. https://start.myalex.com/uc.
  • Sorry, can you briefly explain what ‘ALEX’ is? https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/employee-news/alex-is-your-personal-benefits-counselor/.
  • When will we learn the specific price increases? Premium rates will be available on the UCnet OE site on October 27, through ALEX on October 29 and in UCPath on October 30.
  • Is there a website that provides a summary of the increases for each health plan? Medical plan costs specific to an employee’s location, union status and pay band can be found in ALEX as of 10/29 or in the UCPath Open Enrollment portal as of 10/30.
  • Where can we find the premium charges for open enrollment? On the UCnet site.
  • For those of us who have Kaiser, we’ve been told that there will be significant increases to how much of our premium we have to pay, but so far I’ve seen no actual dollar amounts. In order to make such an important decision as who our healthcare is going to come from, it would be helpful to know the actual rates. When will the actual cost of healthcare plans be available? OE brochures will be mailed to homes starting this week, which will include rates. UCnet will also display rates later this month.
  • Is there any venue for represented employees to get information about 2026 benefits cost? OE brochures will arrive to your home addresses within the next few days. Other resources include UCnet, which will be available next week. Also ALEX, the decision support tool will have 2026 information when OE period begins.
  • When do they receive their new cards? ID cards will likely be mailed out around mid-December.
  • UCNet has information and a video about HealthSavings+ plan—will there also be info in other languages for staff? A web page and video about HealthSavings+ will be available in Spanish prior to Open Enrollment.
  • How to find feedback from UC employees of their experiences with the different health insurance options? At this time, UCOP does not have plan member satisfaction survey results available for review, but we will take this request back to the team for consideration.
  • Is there an advisor (besides ALEX) that can help me compare plans and decide if I want to keep what I have or change? Please contact your local Health Care Facilitator, who can be found at https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/personalized-support/health-care-facilitators/.
  • Is there help with transitions if you switch plans and need to find all new providers? Are there changes to mental health care? You may contact your prospective health plan to ask specific questions about your needs, or visit their UC microsite to search for new providers. If you are currently undergoing treatment for a condition and need to transition care to a new health plan or provider, please contact your Healthcare Facilitator for confidential assistance: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/personalized-support/health-care-facilitators/.
  • What is the best contact information to ask questions about open enrollment at UCLA? Contact information can be found on UCnet here: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/personalized-support/health-care-facilitators/.
  • If you have additional questions beyond today’s meeting, can we contact you for information, and if so, what is your contact information? If you have additional questions, you should contact your local Health Care Facilitator. Contact information can be found on UCnet here: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/personalized-support/health-care-facilitators/.
  • Is there a phone number we can call if we want to take to a representative? If you have additional questions, you should contact your local Health Care Facilitator. Contact information can be found on UCnet here: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/personalized-support/health-care-facilitators/.
  • What number can we call if we want to compare plans with a representative? If you have additional questions, you should contact your local Health Care Facilitator. Contact information can be found on UCnet here: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/personalized-support/health-care-facilitators/.
  • Who can I contact for questions not answered today in this session? If you have additional questions, you should contact your local Health Care Facilitator. Contact information can be found on UCnet here: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/benefits/understanding-your-benefits/personalized-support/health-care-facilitators/.