Open Enrollment

The 2026 Open Enrollment is October 30 - November 21, 2025. Login to UCPath to make your changes. Need help?

It is essential for all Faculty and Staff to review New Medical Plan Design and Rate changes, including increased out of pocket expenses and copays.

After reviewing the medical plan changes, if you are satisfied with your current benefit elections and not making any changes, no action is required for Open Enrollment, and all existing benefits will roll over to the new plan year effective January 1, 2026. Exception: FSA enrollment does not continue automatically from year to year. You must re-enroll during Open Enrollment if you want to continue participating.

What's Changing for 2026

New Medical Plan: A new, lower-premium medical plan called HealthSavings+ is replacing the CORE and UC Health Savings plans.
Premium Adjustments: Medical plan premiums are being rebalanced to be more equitable, which may lead to higher costs for some plans like Kaiser Permanente HMO.
New Plan Administrator: Blue Shield of California is taking over as the plan administrator for HealthSavings+ and UC Care.
Expanded Dental Coverage: The Delta Dental PPO plan will now offer increased reimbursement for some out-of-network services.
Prescription & Service Updates: Access to weight loss medications will be more limited, while coverage for infertility services will expand for Kaiser Permanente and UC Blue & Gold HMO members.

What You Need to Do

Review Your Options: Use resources like the UCnet Open Enrollment website and your virtual benefits counselor, ALEX, to compare plans and personalized costs.
Check Your Mail: Keep an eye out for your Open Enrollment packet from UC and emails from UCPath for detailed information.
Take Action: Log in to UCPath between 8 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, and 5 p.m. on Friday, November 21, to enroll or make changes to your benefits.

UCR Open Enrollment Presentation - Download a recorded presentation for Faculty & Staff
Faculty/Staff Open Enrollment Brochure - Download the brochure to learn more
UCR Open Enrollment Video - This video will walk you through how to enroll in benefits or make changes on UCPath.

UCR Faculty/Staff Medical Costs - View the costs for the 2026 Medical plans
How the PPO plans compare — 2026 View this side-by-side comparison of what the UC PPO plans cover and how much you pay.

UCnet Medical Plans - View everything you need to know about the 2026 medical plans that is offered by UC
UCnet Other Plans - Learn more about UC-paid coverage and extra options to protect you and your family.

Alex - This is your virtual benefits counselor
UCnet Getting Help - See the most frequently asked questions about OE, contact information, and more!
UCnet How To Enroll - Learn about the enrollment process, including checklists, videos and instructions
UCR UCPath Resources - View screenshots and Job aids to assist you with Open Enrollment

UCR support to offset some health plan increases | Human Resources
A message from Systemwide HR Vice President Cheryl Lloyd about your 2026 benefits | UCnet
Coming Soon Notice for Open Enrollment | Human Resources
UCPath Notice: Open Enrollment 2025 | UCPath
New Hire Communication for Employees hired after October 17th | UCPath
Benefit Billing Communication for instruction son how to access the OE leave without Pay enrollment form | UCPath

Kaiser Permanente Recorded Presentation English | Spanish

Open Enrollment Events

Event	Date	Time	Location	Flyer Links	Resources
Kaiser Permanente Webinar - Non Medicare Webinar	Thursday, October 30, 2025	9:30am to 10:30am	Event Link	View Flyer	Kaiser Permanente Recorded Presentation English \| Spanish
Navitus OE Webinar	Thursday, October 30, 2025	12:00pm to 1:00pm	Event Link	View Flyer
Virtual OE Help Desk (actives)	Monday, November 3, 2025	8:00am to 5:00pm.	Event Link	View Flyer
Blue Shield of California PPO Plan Overview Event	Tuesday, November 4, 2025	12:30pm to 2:00pm	Registration Link	View Flyer
Health Equity - Health Savings Account (HSA) Plan Overview	Tuesday, November 4, 2025	2:00pm to 3:00pm	Registration Link	View Flyer
OE Townhall with Staff Assembly and CHRO, Alex Najera	Wednesday, November 5, 2025	10:00am to 11:00am	School of Medicine Education Building II, 106 Registration Link
OE Virtual Townhall with CHRO, Alex Najera	Wednesday, November 5, 2025	1:30pm to 2:30pm	Event Link	View Flyer
Kaiser Permanente's Wellness Mobile Health Vehicle is Coming to You	Thursday, November 6, 2025	8:00 am to 9:45 am and 11:00 am to 1:45 pm	Olmstead Plaza Registration Link	View Flyer
UC Riverside's Annual Benefits, Health & Wellness Fair	Thursday, November 6, 2025	10:00am to 2:00pm	Registration Link	View Flyer
Health Equity - Health Savings Account (HSA) Plan Overview	Monday, November 10, 2025	12:00pm to 1:00pm	Registration Link	View Flyer
UCR Health Overview Webinar	Wednesday, November 12, 2025	11:00am to 2:00pm	Event Link	View Flyer
Blue Shield of California PPO Plan Overview Event	Friday, November 14, 2025	12:30pm to 2:00pm	Registration Link	View Flyer
Blue Shield of California PPO Plan Overview Event	Tuesday, November 18, 2025	12:30pm to 2:00pm	Registration Link	View Flyer
Health Equity - Health Savings Account (HSA) Plan Overview	Tuesday, November 18, 2025	2:00pm to 3:00pm	Registration Link	View Flyer