Open Enrollment

What's Changing for 2027

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 85% of total medical premiums across pay bands and coverage tiers, contributing an additional $294 million toward employee health benefits this year.

• Expiration of the UCR Campus Premium Subsidy for Non Represented Employees: Please note that the temporary UCR employee medical premium subsidy provided for 2026 to help offset rising healthcare costs will conclude on December 31, 2026, as communicated when it was introduced. As a result, higher monthly premium contributions will apply for the monthly premium contributions for the 2027 plan year. 

• Medical Premium Adjustments: For employees whose medical premiums are not governed by collective bargaining, the 2027 standard monthly premium adjustments for individual coverage will range between $6.58 and $29.24, depending on salary tier and plan election. However, due to the expiration of the 2026 UCR Campus Premium Subsidy, higher increases will apply to the Kaiser and UC Blue & Gold HMO plans for Pay Band 1 and Pay Band 2. 

• 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 HR Benefits Open Enrollment Website.