Open Enrollment is Oct 31 - Nov 22!
Open Enrollment is just around the corner! It’s time to start thinking about your elections and any changes you would like to make. Check out the information and resources available below to make informed decisions about your benefits!
Retirees: RASC has Open Enrollment Office Hours provided as a time to get answers to your questions about insurance options.
- Every Thursday Noon - 1:00 from Oct 24 - Nov 21
- Check out the flyer for more info!
Spanish Speakers: We have partnered with the Health Care Facilitators at UC Irvine to bring you a Spanish Open Enrollment recorded presentation. Please keep in mind that Kaiser is not available for those who live in Merced County. Also, instead of contacting UCI as the slides indicate, please reach out to benefits@ucmerced.edu.
Important Open Enrollment Details
- Open Enrollment runs from 8 a.m. Oct 31 through 5 p.m. Nov 22.
- Open Enrollment changes will be effective Jan 1, 2025
- All Open Enrollment changes are made through UCPath
- Your coverage will continue if you don't take any action, except for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Poctdoctoral Scholar Benefits are through Gallagher. Open Enrollment information can be found here.
- Student Employment benefits are through UCSHIP. Contact UC Merced Insurance Office for questions
2025 Highlights
New services and savings for UC's benefits plans. Visit the UC net OE Page for more information.
- Copays for outpatient visits will increase from $20 to $30 for members of UC Blue & Gold HMO, Kaiser HMO, Optum Behavioral Health, and UC Care.
- Prescription drug copays will increase for most UC medical plans, and there will be a new specialty drug tier with 30% coinsurance up to $150 per prescription for the HMO plans.
- UC Health Savings changes
- Accolade Care telehealth visits will have $30 charge.
- In-network deductible increasing to $1,650 and 3,300 for self and family coverage, respectively.
- Contribution limits are increasing to 4,300 for self and 8,550 for family.
- HMO Changes
- UC Blue & Gold and Kaiser will cover doula services with no copay, for up to 11 visits per pregnancy.
- Optum (Kaiser behavioral health) is increasing emergency room copay to $125 for Kaiser members.
- Kaiser group mental health visits are increasing from $10 to $15.
Medical Plans Rates
Due to rising costs, monthly premiums are increasing for most retiree medical plans and all faculty/staff plans. The Core PPO will require an employee premium contribution for 2025. For the remaining plans, employees with 2024 annual salaries up to $140,000 will see 9% increases, and employees with 2024 annual salaries over $140.000 will see 11% premium increases.
Help is Available
Take control of your health.
- Utilize ALEX to walk you through benefits plans and options that are individualized to your needs.
- The UC Merced Benefits Team is available to help you understand your options to make the best selections fo you and your family. Be sure to schedule a 1:1 call-in session if you have any specific questions to discuss. Prefer to meet in person? Attend one of our On-Site Walk-In Sessions or our Medical Plan Overview. Additional information can be found here.
- Staff/Faculty can visit the UCnet Open Enrollment website for details about 2025 changes and costs.
Take Action During Open Enrollment
- Enroll or re-enroll in Health FSA and/or Dependent Care FSA
- Enroll in, opt-out, or transfer between UC sponsored benefits plans
- Add or remove eligible family members within your medical/dental/vision/legal plans
Benefit Plans Available During Open Enrollment
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Supplemental Health (Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity)
- Health & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's)
- Legal
Benefit Plans Available for Staff/Faculty Anytime
You can enroll in certain plans or make changes through UCPath all year long:
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