CalPERS Health Open Enrollment Starts September 11

SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Public Employees' Retirement System annual health Open Enrollment period for the 2018 calendar year starts September 11 and ends October 6, 2017. During this time, members enrolled in CalPERS health plans have the opportunity to review health coverage options for 2018 from the system's seven Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and three self-funded Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) health plans.

CalPERS members enter the 2017 Open Enrollment period with average health premium increases for 2018 at their lowest in 20 years, with an overall across-the-board increase of 2.33 percent approved by the CalPERS Board of Administration in June. They may enroll in a CalPERS health plan, add eligible family members, or make changes to their existing health plans during Open Enrollment. Any coverage changes become effective January 1, 2018.

CalPERS' Basic (non-Medicare) health plan options include HMO plans through Anthem Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Sharp Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, and Western Health Advantage. The system's three Basic PPO plans, offered through third-party administrator Anthem Blue Cross, are PERS Select, PERS Choice, and PERSCare. Medicare health plans are offered through Anthem, Kaiser, and UnitedHealthcare.

Members can connect to their health plan information through their my|CalPERS accounts, where they will find their latest Health Plan Statement, as well as 2017 Open Enrollment materials. The statement describes details of their current health coverage, their 2018 premium if they remain enrolled in their current health plan, and a list of the health plans available to them in 2018, based on their ZIP code.

The Open Enrollment materials include publications and information to help them decide which health coverage to choose for 2018. Members can download and print any CalPERS Open Enrollment material, including the 2018 Health Benefit Summary, the Health Program Guide, and the Medicare Enrollment Guide.

Some members continue to receive their statement and Open Enrollment materials by mail; however, their information is also available to them through my|CalPERS. In addition, Open Enrollment information is available on the CalPERS website.

Members will find that there is an updated health plan comparison tool called "Find a Medical Plan" available to them in my|CalPERS this year. The "Find a Medical Plan" tool eases health coverage decision-making by allowing members to develop side-by-side comparisons of different health plans and the benefits each offers. They will be able to compare multiple plans at once, listing the benefits they want in their preferred order, and save up to 10 comparison scenarios for future reference.