Open Enrollment is a window during which employees and retirees may change their coverage or add eligible dependents onto their health insurance. This year's open enrollment begins on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 8 a.m. (PDT) and ends on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 5 p.m. (PST). All changes are effective January 1, 2026.

Please see the message Systemwide Vice President Cheryl Lloyd shared October 7, about UC’s 2026 benefits options and changes, with an accompanying fact sheet. Both of these communications are now available in Spanish.

What you can do 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 and consider where your needs may be changing.

• Review the fact sheet concerning 2026 proposed benefits options and changes
• Check your dependents and beneficiaries in UC Path
• Review your current benefits in UC Path
• Identify topics you want to learn more about
• Set a self-check-in reminder to complete open enrollment

On Monday, Oct. 27, the Open Enrollment website will go live and mailed materials should begin arriving in employees’ home mailboxes. If you have questions about open enrollment, please contact your local benefits office or health care facilitator or UCPath at (855) 982-7284, Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.