Your Open Enrollment Resources and UCSF Health Care Options
As part of our commitment to employee wellness, resources are available to help UCSF faculty and staff navigate Open Enrollment and establish care at UCSF Health.
Dear Colleagues,
Open Enrollment is here, and the UC system has made significant changes to health care benefits for 2026. The deadline to confirm your choices is Friday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m., and your selections will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
At UCSF and UCSF Health, our people make us special. As you navigate these benefits changes, we want to support you and help you make informed choices that fit the needs of you and your family. Please review the information below to better understand your options and compare costs — including premiums and the cost of care.
You can also learn about UCSF Health’s convenient care options, including prioritized pathways to primary care for employees.
Resources to Support You
During Open Enrollment, the UCSF Health Care Facilitator Program offers:
Plan Changes for 2026
UC faces an overall medical plan premium increase of 10.2% for 2026, part of a national trend of rising care costs. To mitigate these costs for employees, UC is increasing spending on medical benefits by $260 million and partnering with UC Health to absorb operating expenses.
As part of this process, key changes for 2026 include:
- A new medical plan for 2026. Health Savings+ will replace both the UC Health Savings Plan and the CORE medical plan.
- Blue Shield of California will administer UC’s PPO plans (HealthSavings+ and UC Care), replacing Anthem Blue Cross.
- Balanced premiums across health plans with similar levels of coverage. Many employees (Kaiser HMO) will pay higher premiums in 2026, and many others (Health Savings+ and UC Care) will pay lower premiums.
Read more about employee medical plan costs for 2026 here.
Review your premiums here.
Please note that while Open Enrollment is currently underway for postdoctoral scholars, their health plan options differ. More information is available here.
Finding Care at UCSF Health
You can receive convenient, quality care from UCSF Health by enrolling in UC Blue & Gold HMO or one of the Blue Shield of California PPO plans (Health Savings+ and UC Care).
Employees seeking primary care at UCSF Health can schedule a 15-minute phone call with a New Patient Navigator, who can help coordinate your care at one of our many primary care clinics.
We invite you to explore the comprehensive care options available at UCSF Health, including:
- A state-of-the-art Bayfront Medical Building at Mission Bay, which brings together adult urgent, primary and specialty care.
- On-demand primary care video visits via Express Care, available to UCSF patients through MyChart.
- Expanded services at the Berkeley Outpatient Center, including ambulatory surgery and radiation oncology.
- Primary and specialty care services on the Peninsula, including a cancer center in Burlingame.
Our mission to care for our communities means caring for our workforce. You are the foundation for our success, and we are invested in the well-being of you and your family. Thank you for all that you do.
Sincerely,
Josh Adler, MD
Chief Clinical Officer
UCSF Health