Human Resources

Open Enrollment Exception Handling Process

The Open Enrollment portals in UCPath closed at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025.

Forget to update your benefits or your 2026 Flexible Spending contribution during Open Enrollment?? Requests for exceptions to the deadline should be sent to the UCPath Center, as described below.

Faculty and Staff should submit an Open Enrollment Benefits eForm to request late enrollment after the end of the Open Enrollment period. Please note that submission of an Open Enrollment deadline exception request does not constitute automatic approval. All forms received after November 21, 2025, at 5 p.m. will be reviewed for extenuating circumstances prior to approval or denial.

Request for Exception for Open Enrollment:

1. Log into UCPath at http://ucpath.universityofcalifornia.edu/ and enter the Single Sign-On credentials
2. On the UCPath Main Menu, select Benefits & Retirement
3. Under Forms, select Benefits Request eForm
4. Click on Submit, a new eForm will populate with the member’s personal information
5. Member to enter the following:
   • Event Date: 01/01/2026
   • Select the benefits program, based on the employee’s benefits-primary position. The options provided are:
     • Faculty/Staff Benefits
     • Graduate Student Benefits
     • Medical Resident Benefits
     • Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits
   • Reason for Request: Annual Open Enrollment
6. The Late Enrollment section will populate. Member must complete the Reason For Late Enrollment Request comment section by providing a detailed explanation for the request for late enrollment and the reason provided will be considered in the decision to approve or deny the enrollment request.
7. Make benefit plan elections.
8. Submit the eForm.

Once the Open Enrollment eForm has been reviewed by the UCPath Center, a follow-up email will be sent indicating if the enrollment request has been approved or denied.

Members who do not have computer access should contact the UCPath Center at 1-855-982-7284 for assistance.

UCPath has a dedicated, experienced team reviewing the exception requests, in collaboration with Health & Welfare Benefits.

Please note that in the event an OE deadline exception for a medical plan change is approved after January 1, 2026, for a reason other than UC administrative error, the employee’s medical plan premiums must be paid on a post-tax basis (i.e., “no TIP”) for the entire 2026 plan year, in accordance with IRS regulations. In addition, it will be the employee’s responsibility to re-enroll in TIP for 2027. The UCPath Center will notify members of this requirement if the request is approved after the plan year begins.