As Open Enrollment approaches (September 14 through October 9), get to know the health plan changes for 2027. We have the information and resources to help.
Prepare for Open Enrollment
Thinking about making a change for 2027, but unsure where to start? Here are some resources to help you make an informed decision.
Open Enrollment Resources
- Access the Open Enrollment Resources you need from one place so you can navigate decisions and details.
Join the 2026 Open Enrollment Webinar
Tune in for our Open Enrollment webinar Wednesday, September 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. PT. Livestreamed on YouTube, this is your chance to hear from the experts about benefit and plan changes, recommended resources, and common questions.
Your Health Plan Statement
- On September 8, access your customized Open Enrollment information by logging in to your myCalPERS account (learn more about using myCalPERS).
- Review what your 2027 monthly premium will be if you don’t switch plans and check for any changes to your current plan.
- To calculate your share of the total monthly health plan premium, subtract your employer or former employer’s contribution from the total monthly premium. For example, if the total monthly premium is $1,200 and your employer contribution is $1,000, then your share of the premium would be $200. The formula is as follows (these figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect your actual premium amounts):
- $1,200 [total monthly premium] – $1,000 [employer contribution] = $200 [your share]
How to Choose a Health Plan
When Open Enrollment arrives, you can change your health plan. Use this one-page checklist (PDF) to help you research key factors like cost, coverage, and availability before making a change.
What You Should Know
Removal of UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Alliance and SignatureValue Harmony
Effective January 1, 2027, UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Alliance HMO and UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Harmony HMO will no longer be part of CalPERS’ health plan offerings.
These are the Basic plans only (non-Medicare). UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage will remain for our Medicare-enrolled members.
If you’re affected by this change, we sent you an email in late July, and will send you a letter at the end of August with important information on factors to consider during Open Enrollment.
To learn more, visit UnitedHealthcare Basic Health Plans Removal for 2027 and our article, What the UnitedHealthcare Basic HMO Change Means for You in 2027.
Dental Benefits for State of California Members
Beginning January 1, 2027, CalHR is expanding dental plan options available to state employees and retirees. This includes the introduction of new MetLife dental plans and updated plan names for Delta Dental plans, giving you:
- More PPO choices: The addition of MetLife doubles the number of PPO plans, giving you more opportunities to choose coverage that best fits your needs.
- Better access: More provider networks and in-network dentists increases the likelihood of keeping your current dentist while helping to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
- Enhanced benefits: Several Dental Health Maintenance Organization (DHMO) plans offer expanded benefits, such as enhanced implant coverage and advanced imaging, to support comprehensive dental care.
- Greater flexibility: More plan options make it easier to find coverage that fits your budget and your family’s dental care needs.
If you are a retiree, you have six plan choices in 2027: Four PPO plans and two prepaid (DHMO) plans.
If you are an employee (actively working), you have eight plan choices for 2027: Six PPO plans and two prepaid (DHMO) plans.
With this change, the following dental plans will no longer be available effective January 1, 2027.
- Western Dental
- Premier Access
- MetLife Enhanced DHMO
If you are enrolled in one of these plans, explore your dental plan options and choose a new plan during Open Enrollment. Retirees can change plans through their myCalPERS account. Employees must contact their employer’s human resources department.
If you do not choose a new plan during Open Enrollment, you will be automatically enrolled in MetLife Select DHMO.
To learn more and for a list of frequently asked questions, visit CalHR’s website:
You will find contact information for each dental carrier on CalHR’s website. You’ll want to contact the dental carriers directly if you have specific questions about the benefit design for each dental plan.
Dental and/or Vision Riders for Public Agency and School Medicare Members
Certain Medicare plans offer dental and/or vision coverage for an additional fee, which is billed directly to members by the health plan, separate from their monthly health premium. This is an option available to public agency or schools members enrolled in Medicare only through the following health plans. Refer to the Evidence of Coverage documents for additional information or contact the plan directly.