Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is a window during which employees and retirees may change their coverage or add eligible dependents onto their health insurance.
Open Enrollment Dates Have Been Released
This year’s Open Enrollment for the 2027 benefits will begin Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 8 a.m. (PT) and end on Friday, November 20, 2026 at 5 p.m. (PT). All changes are effective January 1, 2027.
Please mark your calendar so you don’t forget to review your benefits and make any necessary elections.
Save the date for UC San Diego's in-person Open Enrollment Benefits Fair!
Representatives from our benefits vendors and network partners will be on-site to provide valuable information, resources, and giveaways to help employees and retirees make the most of their UC benefits.
Open Enrollment is the time for UC employees and retirees to make changes to the following benefits:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Legal
- Supplemental plans (Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity) - Active Employees Only
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA and DepCare FSA) - Active Employees Only
Important: FSA and DepCare FSA require active re-enrollment each year. These plans do not roll over automatically into the next plan year.
Also available year-round:
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Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) and Pet Insurance can be changed at any time, and you may also make updates during Open Enrollment.
Not available for UC employees during Open Enrollment:
- Life Insurance (supplemental life)
- Voluntary Short-Term Disability (STD)
- Voluntary Long-Term Disability (LTD)
How to make changes to voluntary disability and supplemental life insurance
Open Enrollment Presentations & Resources
Be sure to check back regularly for important updates, including plan details, premium information, enrollment instructions, and available support resources for faculty, staff, retirees, and family members.
What resources will be provided here:
- Open Enrollment Resources - UC informational brochures, webpage links, booklets, job aids, and much more.
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Informational presentations for faculty, staff, retirees, and family members — learn what’s changing for 2027 and how it may affect you.
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Office hours — drop-in sessions where Benefits and HCF staff will answer questions and address concerns.
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Benefits vendor recordings — Watch recorded vendor presentations on demand.
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plan documents — downloadable plan summaries, rate sheets, and enrollment guides.
Be sure to look for additional information and complete your elections within the designated enrollment period.
Open Enrollment Resources
Open Enrollment Resources
Systemwide Open Enrollment (OE) website – Everything you need to know about OE, including information on plan changes for 2026, benefit choices, plan comparisons, and costs.
- UCnet Open Enrollment website (ucal.us/oe)
Confidential online tool that guides you through your benefits choices, and helps you select the best plans for you and your family.
- ALEX (interactive guide)
PDF versions of the Open Enrollment brochure (English and Spanish) for employees eligible for faculty/staff benefits.
- Open Enrollment Brochure for Faculty & Staff (PDF)
- Folleto de Inscripción Abierta para Facultad y Personal (PDF)
PDF versions of the Open Enrollment brochures for retirees.
- Open Enrollment Retiree Brochure (PDF)
- Open Enrollment Brochure for Retirees Residing Outside of California (PDF)
A video tutorial on how to complete the Open Enrollment process on UCPath.
Job aid on how to complete the open enrollment process on UCPath for Active Faculty & Staff.
This booklet contains valuable information on how to get assistance, verify your family members' eligibility, things to consider, and important notices about this year's Open Enrollment.
Use these brochures as a resource to compare the different UC medical and Medicare plans. It provides an overview of each plan's features, benefits, and coverage options, helping you make an informed decision about which plan best meets your healthcare needs.
To ensure you make the most of UC's Open Enrollment period, here’s a checklist to help guide you through the process.
Medical Premium Cost
- Faculty/Staff Monthly Medical Plan Costs
- Medical Plan Costs for UC Retirees - The monthly medical premiums apply to retirees who receive the full UC contribution toward their coverage.
- Online Retiree Health Plan Premium Estimator - For retirees subject to graduated eligibility.
Find out how to contact your benefits plan for questions or support.
Open Enrollment Highlight Presentations
Watch the Open Enrollment Presentation, offered by the HR Senior Benefits Analysts for Active Faculty & Staff
HR Benefits Open Enrollment Highlights (English)
UC San Diego Campus/Health Faculty & Staff
Watch the recording:
HR Benefits Open Enrollment Highlights (Spanish)
UC San Diego Campus/Health Faculty and Staff
Watch the recording (Mira la grabación):
Attend an Open Enrollment Presentation, offered by the Health Care Facilitator team for retirees and prospective retirees
HCF Retiree Open Enrollment Highlights
UC San Diego Campus/Health Retirees
HCF Retiree Open Enrollment Highlights
UC San Diego Campus/Health Retirees
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Time:
Zoom Link:
(No registration required)
HCF Retiree Open Enrollment Highlights
UC San Diego Campus/Health Retirees
Date:
Time:
Zoom Link:
(No registration required)
HCF Retiree Open Enrollment Highlights
UC San Diego Campus/Health Retirees
Date:
Time:
Zoom Link:
(No registration required)
Open Enrollment Office Hours
Open Enrollment Benefits Office Hours
Campus HR Benefits team are partnering with Health HR Benefits team to host virtual office hours. You’ll find the full schedule and Zoom link below — no registration required.
UCSD Campus/Health Employees & Retirees
Zoom Link:
(No registration required)
Schedule:
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Health Care Facilitator Open Enrollment Office Hours
Connect with the HCF team in real time for Open Enrollment questions.UCSD Campus/Health Retirees
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Zoom Link:
(No registration required)
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Zoom Link:
(No registration required)
Plan changes
Plan Documents
Recorded Vendor Presentations
Findhelp - Social Care Network
UC has partnered with findhelp, the largest network of social assistance programs and resources in the U.S. that are free or offered at a reduced cost. All UC medical plan members and their family members have access to findhelp, so you can find the resources to help you and your family live better.
Findhelp can link you with a variety of services, including:
- Food: Find help to pay for food, locate food pantries, and seek nutrition education
- Housing: Find advice and help on finding or paying for housing and locating temporary shelters
- Transit: Find help to pay for bus passes or gas or transportation to receive health care services
- Money: Find help to pay for child care, connect to government benefits, and locate assistance with tax preparation
- Education: Find help to pay for school, financial or health education; citizenship and immigration assistance; and skills and training
Go to uchealthplans.findhelp.com. Then enter your ZIP code and select the category (e.g., Housing, Food) of interest to access the list of services.
Benefits Events Calendar
Choose UC San Diego Health
We know UC San Diego employees have choices about where to receive their health care. Selecting a primary care provider in the UC San Diego Health network during open enrollment means you and your family will have access to the best in prevention, diagnosis and treatment options.
From routine checkups and same-day visits to specialty care for serious conditions, we make it easy to get the care you need close to home or work. Our extensive network includes primary care providers (PCPs) throughout San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties.
As the region’s only academic health system, UC San Diego Health is leading the way in innovative treatments and groundbreaking research — resulting in care you won’t find anywhere else in the county.
Quality matters. We are proud to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 health care provider in San Diego.
This open enrollment, choose UC San Diego Health, where your health is our priority.
Ready to Switch? We’re Here to Help
Find a location: View an interactive map at health.ucsd.edu/choose and find a primary care location near you.
Check plan choices: Most UC health plans provide access to the world-class care at UC San Diego Health. If you change your insurance for 2025 to UC Blue & Gold HMO, you’ll receive welcome materials to help you get started. See the find a provider in the Blue & Gold HMO network flier (PDF).
- If your current plan doesn’t include UC San Diego Health providers or our affiliated providers, you can choose a plan that does during open enrollment.
- If your current plan already gives you access to UC San Diego Health, you can choose a primary care physician in our network anytime during the year.
Tip: In December, call us to schedule your first (or next) appointment. Our exclusive phone line for employees can help you schedule appointments or find a doctor near you: 619-543-2273.
What You Can Do Anytime Before Open Enrollment
Thinking about your benefits doesn’t have to wait until Open Enrollment starts. Doing a quick self-check-in during the year is a great way to reflect on what’s working, consider where your needs may be changing, and note any questions you’d like answered in the upcoming Open Enrollment sessions offered.
✔ Check Your Dependents & Beneficiaries
Make sure your family and dependent information in UCPath is accurate and up to date.
✔ Review Your Current Benefits
Take a look at your current elections in UCPath to see what’s working and what you may want to change this year.
✔ Identify Topics You Want to Learn More About
Think about which areas — like health, dental, retirement, or FSAs/HSAs — you’d like more information on. These topics will be covered in Open Enrollment sessions.
✔ Set a Self-Check-In Reminder
Make Open Enrollment part of your annual routine by marking your calendar for October 15 each year to review your benefits.
UC San Diego Wellness Program
Explore UCSD’s Employee Wellness hub for programs, events, and resources that support your health and well-being.
Bright Breaks
¡AHORA SE OFRECE EN ESPAÑOL! Bright Breaks is available to all campus and Health Science career employees. Enjoy 7-minute wellness breaks on your own or with your team, restore your body and mind, and win weekly prizes!
Employee Wellness Newsletter
Want wellness tips delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to the Employee Wellness monthly newsletter for updates on programs, events, and resources.
Stay Current on Your Benefits
The Benefits Quarterly Newsletter delivers important updates, reminders, and resources to help you make the most of your UC San Diego benefits.
Need to Make a Change Before Open Enrollment?
Most benefits can only be changed during Open Enrollment. However, certain Qualifying Family Changes allow you to make updates at any time, including: Marriage, domestic partnership, or divorce Birth or adoption of a child Loss of other coverage Change in dependent eligibility
Still need help?
If you are a campus employee, and still have questions, please reach out to hr@ucsd.edu.
If you are an employee of UCSD Health, please visit hhr.ucsd.edu or call (619) 543-3200.