- 63,766 members—about 4.1% of CalPERS Health Program’s 1.5 million members—changed health plans.
- The overall transfer rate for 2025 was also 4.1%, slightly higher than the 3.9% rate in 2024.
- This means about 2,700 more members changed plans during the most recent OE compared to the previous year.
- Most of the plan changes came from members in Basic plans, with a transfer rate of 4.9%, which is typical. In contrast, only 1.1% of Medicare plan members switched plans, down from 1.7% the year before.
What Plans Gained and Lost the Most Members?
- The health plans with the largest net gains in membership were Blue Shield Trio, Peace Officers Research Association of California, and UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Harmony.
- In contrast, the plans with the largest net losses were PERS Platinum, Blue Shield Access+, and PERS Gold.
Where Did Members Go and Why?
While we don’t know exactly why members changed health plans, these factors likely contributed:
- Blue Shield Trio experienced the largest membership growth, with an increase of nearly 9%—a net gain of almost 4,400 members. This growth was likely driven by a modest 3% premium increase, which was made possible in part by exiting Monterey County starting in 2026.
- UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Harmony saw membership grow by nearly 18%, adding about 2,000 new members. This increase is likely due to its lower premiums, which continue to attract new enrollees.
- More than 2,500 members joined the Peace Officers Research Association of California, representing a 9.2% increase in its membership.
- For Basic plans, those with lower premiums and narrower networks generally saw the biggest increases in membership. In addition to Blue Shield Trio and UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Harmony, Sharp Health Plan grew by 4.9%, Western Health Advantage by 5.2%, and Health Net Salud y Más by 9.1%. For state employees, premiums are mostly—or sometimes entirely—covered by employer contributions.
Where Can I Find More Details?
Check the Health Open Enrollment Results (PDF) for a more detailed breakdown.
You can search for CalPERS health plans available in your area any time using the Health Plan Search by ZIP Code tool on our website, or by logging into your myCalPERS account and using the Search Health Plans feature.
The next opportunity to consider your health plan choice and make a change (outside of special enrollment events) is Open Enrollment this fall, from September 14 through October 9, 2026.