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Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment ended October 10, 2025
The CSU annual Open Enrollment period closed on October 10, 2025. The effective date of all Open Enrollment transactions will be January 1, 2026.
What's new for 2026?
Health Plan Rate Changes
Effective January 1, 2026, rates for most health plans will change.
Health Plan Changes
Effective January 1, 2026, CVS Caremark (CVS) will replace OptumRx as the new pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) for the following CalPERS health plans: Anthem Blue Cross Traditional HMO, Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO, Health Net Salud y Más, PERS Gold PPO, PERS Platinum PPO, Sharp Health Plan Performance Plus, UnitedHealthcare Alliance, UnitedHealthcare Harmony and Western Health Advantage HMO.
Members will receive a welcome kit from CVS that includes ID cards as well as information to access Caremark.com and the CVS Health app prior to January 1, 2026. This will be used for all prescription services starting January 1, 2026.
Health Plan Expansions and Exits
Blue Shield Access+ will expand to Monterey County. Blue Shield Trio plan will no longer be offered in Monterey County. Members that do not elect a health plan change will be automatically enrolled in Blue Shield Access+, effective January 1, 2026.
Health Benefit Design Changes
PERS Gold will continue with deductible in-patient credits of up to $500 for completing preventive care activities, while adding the following activities: participation in the Diabetes Prevention Program, if eligible, as well as depression or anxiety screening.
Legal Insurance Enhancements and Rate Change
We’re enhancing the legal insurance plan with new services to address legal and caregiving needs for your parents and grandparents. The cost is $17.70 per month via payroll deduction.
Critical Illness—Health Maintenance Screening Benefit Design Change
Currently, eligible participants receive $100 per health maintenance benefit screening, with a maximum of two screenings per calendar year. Beginning in 2026, this benefit will be updated to provide $200 for a single eligible screening per year. While the number of reimbursable screenings will be limited to one annually, the total dollar benefit will be doubled, allowing you to receive the maximum reimbursement with just one screening.
Health Care and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts (HCRA/DCRA)—Annual Maximums Increased
For the plan year 2026, the IRS has increased the annual maximum contribution amount to $3,300 for HCRA and $7,500 for DCRA.