[Ucrfacultyandstaff] It’s Time for Benefits Open Enrollment!
Puja Pannu
puja.pathak at ucr.edu
Wed Oct 29 19:45:50 PDT 2025
[image: image.png]
*October 30, 2025*
To:
Faculty and Staff
From:
Central HR Benefits Office
Re:
It’s Time for Benefits Open Enrollment!
*Benefits Open Enrollment begins on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 8:00
a.m. and ends on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.*
*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 to consider your options and costs.*
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.
*If you are enrolled in the Flexible Spending Account Plans (DepCare FSA
and Health FSA), you are required to renew your contribution amounts during
Open Enrollment.*
*New Hires* – The UCPath Center will provide a separate Open Enrollment
packet and instructions sent by USPS mail for employees hired from October
17, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
*New this year*
- Significant rate increases impact the HMO medical plans and Pay Bands
1 and 2 for 2026!
- New Medical plan, Non-Medicare Blue Shield PPO, plan design and rate
changes, including increased out of pocket expenses and copays to consider
your options and costs.
- The new Blue Shield Health Savings+ is replacing CORE and UC Health
Savings plan effective January 1, 2026.
- UC ends the CORE PPO plan option for 2026.
- UCR extends a one-time, 2026, non-represented employee premium
subsidy for highly impacted members. See the communication from Chancellor
Hu - UCR Chancellor helps offset some of the increases
<https://hr.ucr.edu/hrannouncements/2025/10/28/ucr-support-offset-some-health-plan-increases>
- Review the UCOP Medical Plan Changes Communication – Vice President
Cheryl Lloyd Systemwide letter about medical plan changes for 2026.
<https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/employee-news/letter-from-systemwide-hr-vp-cheryl-lloyd/>|
2026 Benefits Changes Fact Sheet
<https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2026-Benefits-Changes-Fact-Sheet.pdf>
and Frequently Asked Questions
<https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/employee-news/big-changes-new-choices-oe-2026/#faq>
.
- ALEX Benefits Counseling Tool offers enhanced features to assist in
selecting the best benefit plan options and costs for you and your family.
- *Re-Enroll in the FSA for 2026!*
- Remember to select new contribution amount to participate in FSA
for 2026
- *If enrolling in the Blue Shield plan, *the* existing *Health
Flexible Spending Account balance will roll over into the Limited Purpose
Flexible Spending Account
- *Open Enrollment deadline:* Make your elections by Friday, November
21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
*UCR Open Enrollment Benefits Website – Tools and Resources*
Five things you need to know before Open Enrollment | UCnet
<https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/employee-news/big-changes-new-choices-oe-2026/>
The UC Riverside 2026 Benefits Open Enrollment website
<https://hr.ucr.edu/benefits/open-enrollment> for faculty and staff is
available to access valuable information about this year’s benefit plans,
and highlights important, need to know changes and information regarding
benefit costs and options for the coming year.
Please view the UCR Faculty and Staff Pre-Recorded Open Enrollment
presentation <https://youtu.be/GCQl8p1zdno> to review our highlights on the
new medical plans, plan design changes, and enhancements and benefits
premiums.
*Links to Additional Resources:*
· Which medical plan is right for you?
<https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Which-medical-plan-is-right-for-you.pdf>
· Blue Shield Non-Medicare Find a Provider Webpage
<https://www.blueshieldca.com/fad/index.html?deeplinkID=UCCareTier1>
· UC PPO plans side-by-side comparison
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/2026%20Open%20Enrollment/oe2026-ucppo-how-the-ppo-plans-compare.pdf>
· UCnet 2026 Benefits Open Enrollment website
<https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/oe/emp-start/>
· How to enroll in Benefits via the UCPath Portal *- *OE
<https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/oe/emp-start/how-to-enroll/>
*Open Enrollment Events and Education*
*Kaiser Permanente HMO Open Enrollment **Webinar *
· Non-Medicare Thursday, October 30, 2025, | 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
| View Flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/2026%20Open%20Enrollment/oe2026-Kaiser-faculty-staff-webinar.pdf>
· Medicare Eligible Thursday, October 30, 2025, | 11:00 a.m. –
12:00 p.m. | View Flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/2026%20Open%20Enrollment/oe2026-Kaiser-permanente-retiree-webinar.pdf>
Kaiser Permanente representatives will provide a summary of the Kaiser
Permanente plan options and answer any questions you may have.
*How to Participate:*
Please use the information below to join the webinar:
Zoom: https://ucr.zoom.us/j/93112903502?pwd=hgARWeoTSytRTDHJSofQPw5tNBGfBs.1
Dial-In: (669)219-2599
Meeting ID: 931 1290 3502 | Passcode: 991778
*Navitus Prescription Drug Program Webinar *| View Flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/2026%20Open%20Enrollment/oe2026-navitus-webinar.pdf>
· Thursday, October 30, 2025, | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The UC PPO Plans Navitus Prescription Drug program representative will
share a summary of the changes, new copays, and answer any questions you
may have.
*How to Participate:*
Please use the information below to join the webinar:
Zoom: https://ucr.zoom.us/j/5229526173?omn=93480352333&jst=2
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ucr.zoom.us/j/5229526173?omn%3D93480352333%26jst%3D2&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1762013737422361&usg=AOvVaw3Phql8Pt0oJ-Kl5mjQHN04>
Dial-In: (US) +1 346-248-7799
Meeting ID: 5229526173
*Open Enrollment Virtual Help Desk **| *View Flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/2026%20Open%20Enrollment/oe-2026-staff-virtual-help-desk-flyer.pdf>
· Monday, November 3, 2025, | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Reach out to the Human Resources Benefits Office during the Virtual Open
Enrollment Help Desk hours to receive guidance and obtain answers to
questions regarding the changes to health and welfare plans.
*How to Participate:*
· UCR Benefits Representatives will be available to assist by email
at benefits at ucr.edu and by phone at 951.827.2636, 951.827.5086, or
951.827.3577.
*NEW for 2026!! Accolade Non-Medicare Blue Shield PPO Open Enrollment
Webinar **| View Flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/2026%20Open%20Enrollment/Accolade%20Blue%20Shield%20-%20Faculty%20Staff%20Non%20Medicare.pdf>*
Please join Accolade for a UC systemwide presentation outlining the
upcoming changes and transition to the new Blue Shield PPO plans. Accolade
will provide detailed information on the new plans available, outline the
plan design and changes, review the new deductible, copay, and coinsurance
rates and respond to questions.
You have *three (3) opportunities* to learn about the benefits of
Non-Medicare Blue Shield PPO medical plans
· Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
· Friday, November 14, 2025 | 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
· Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Please register to attend any one or all three sessions. *Register here*
<https://accolade.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7th0cpUsTpiPKq5CKy1r6A#/registration>
*Health Equity Health Savings Account Webinar* *| *View Flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/2026%20Open%20Enrollment/oe-2026-Health-Equity-Webinar.pdf>
Join us for a review of the benefits of having a *Health Savings Account
when you enroll in the UC HealthSavings+ plan and how it differs from a
Flexible Spending plan. The HSA pre-tax savings account funds may be used
to pay for medical out of pocket expenses as an employee as well as medical
expenses after retirement.
You have *three (3) opportunities *to learn about the benefits of the
Health Savings Account. *This account is only available when enrolled in
the UC HealthSavings+ medical plan
· Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
· Monday, November 10, 2025 | 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
· Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Please *Register here to attend*
<https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=reg20.jsp&eventid=5106693&sessionid=1&key=5944F796FB757750F90C3151D3E7FCD0&groupId=5650711&sourcepage=register>
any
one or all three sessions
*Staff Town Hall - Benefits Open Enrollment Session with CHRO Alex Najera*
Please join the UCR Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer, Alex
Najera, for a Town Halll meeting to review the 2026 Open Enrollment benefit
updates, cost changes, and question and answer session.
· *In Person Meeting* – Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 10:00 a.m. –
11:00 a.m.
o School of Medicine, Building 2, Room 106
o Register
<https://events.ucr.edu/event/benefits-town-hall?_gl=1*smnjj2*_ga*NzY0NTYwMzgxLjE3MzIxMjI3MDU.*_ga_Z1RGSBHBF7*czE3NjE3Njg5NzIkbzIyMiRnMSR0MTc2MTc3NjY1MSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.*_ga_S8BZQKWST2*czE3NjE3Njg5NzIkbzIwMyRnMSR0MTc2MTc3NjY1MSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.>
· *Virtual Meeting* - Wednesday, November 5, 2025, | 1:30 p.m. –
2:30 p.m.
o View Flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/2026%20Open%20Enrollment/oe2026-oevirtual-townhall.pdf?_gl=1*1tyop3f*_ga*NzY0NTYwMzgxLjE3MzIxMjI3MDU.*_ga_Z1RGSBHBF7*czE3NjE3Njg5NzIkbzIyMiRnMSR0MTc2MTc3NjY3OSRqMzIkbDAkaDA.*_ga_S8BZQKWST2*czE3NjE3Njg5NzIkbzIwMyRnMSR0MTc2MTc3NjY3OSRqMzIkbDAkaDA.>
o Please use the information below to join the webinar:
§ Zoom Meeting: https://ucr.zoom.us/j/9041473038?omn=99163740248&jst=2
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ucr.zoom.us/j/9041473038?omn%3D99163740248%26jst%3D2&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1762188989775882&usg=AOvVaw1paD0S0_sF6SLfSQB7oVUq>
§ (US) +1 669-219-2599 <+16692192599,,9041473038>
§ Meeting ID: 9041473038
*Health Net HMO Open Enrollment Webinar **| *View Flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/2026%20Open%20Enrollment/oe-2026-health-net-webinar.pdf>
· Wednesday, November 5, 2025, | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Health Net representatives will provide a summary of the Health Net plan
benefits and answer any questions you may have.
*How to Participate:*
Please use the information below to join the webinar:
Zoom: https://ucr.zoom.us/j/96161127702?pwd=1VmrTysOLdr5AA38LpbMTV6frJ3Ycb.1
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ucr.zoom.us/j/96161127702?pwd%3D1VmrTysOLdr5AA38LpbMTV6frJ3Ycb.1&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1762013738737625&usg=AOvVaw1OEPPLMXyWST6Kr7oDR46r>
Dial-In: (669)219-2599
Meeting ID: 961 6112 7702 | Passcode: 576782
*Kaiser Permanente's Mobile Wellness Unit **| View Flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/2026%20Open%20Enrollment/oe-kp-van.pdf>*
· Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. and 11:00
a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Visit the Kaiser Mobile Unit located outside of Olmstead Hall to receive a
health screening and flu shot when registered for the biometric screenings
for Kaiser Permanente and Non-Kaiser Permanente members.
*How to Participate*
Register
<https://wellness-event.kaiserpermanente.org/?kp_shortcut_referrer=kp.org/wellnessevent>,
Use this site to Register for Health Screenings and if requested, Flu Shot
*Where*: Olmstead Plaza
What: All participants will receive the following services: Blood Pressure
• Glucose • Height, weight, BMI calculation, and Flu Shot
*UC Riverside In-Person, On-Campus Benefits, Health, and Wellness Fair! **|
*View Flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/Benefits-oe-Health-Wellness-Fair.pdf>
· Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Join us and our benefit plan providers for the in-person UC Riverside
Benefits, Health, and Wellness Fair featuring* Kaiser Flu Shots and Health
Screenings Mobile Unit, Free Massages, Selfie Photo Booth with Scotty Bear,
provider giveaways, raffle drawings, healthy snacks, relaxing music from
KUCR and more.*
*How to Participate*
· Register <https://myadv.ucr.edu/forms/benefits-fair>
· Join us at the HUB, Third Floor, Room 302 South
*UCR Health Overview Webinar **| *View Flyer
<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/2026%20Open%20Enrollment/oe2026-ucrhealth-webinar.pdf>
· Wednesday, November 12, 2025, | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
UCR Health is affiliated with the University of California, Riverside
School of Medicine and has a team of physicians, specialists and healthcare
professionals with medical offices located throughout the Inland Empire,
you don’t have to travel long distances for access to quality healthcare.
*How to Participate:*
Please use the information below to join the webinar:
Zoom:
https://ucr.zoom.us/j/98341626985?pwd=xFyy93yVg7rJLC0zdCfAxkr9XEbGDX.1&jst=2
<https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ucr.zoom.us/j/98341626985?pwd%3DxFyy93yVg7rJLC0zdCfAxkr9XEbGDX.1%26jst%3D2&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1762013738759930&usg=AOvVaw382UVF65BE2Xgp5tnIOXX8>
Dial-In: (312)626-6799
Meeting ID: 983 4162 6985 |Passcode: 299433
*Contact us*
For questions regarding Open Enrollment, please contact the Benefits Office
via email at benefits at ucr.edu.
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