Open Enrollment for Active Members

Open Enrollment takes place each fall. 2021 Open Enrollment will take place September 20 - October 15. Changes made during 2021 Open Enrollment will take effect January 1, 2022.

During Open Enrollment, you can:

Change your CalPERS health plan
Add eligible dependents
Remove dependents
Cancel your existing CalPERS health coverage
Enroll in a CalPERS health plan if you don't currently have coverage

If you aren't making changes to your coverage, no action is needed.

Are you a Retiree?

Visit our Open Enrollment for Retirees webpage to get Open Enrollment information specific to our retired members. Active members can explore their options below.

Health Plan Changes for 2022

We realize changes to health plans may impact your decision during Open Enrollment. Listed below are the health plan changes for 2022. This includes plans with a premium increase of 9% or more. To view the full listing of 2022 health plans and rates, visit Plans & Rates.

Use the Search Health Plans tool to find health plans available in your area and whether your doctor accepts those plans.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)/Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) Basic Plans

HMO and EPO

Plan Name	Changes for 2022
Anthem Blue Cross Select	9.75% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 1
Anthem Del Norte EPO	11.49% premium increase for State and California State Universities 12.95% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 1
Blue Shield Access+	Reenter into eight Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, and Solano
Blue Shield EPO	Expand into Lassen and Shasta counties
Blue Shield Trio	Expand into Santa Cruz, Stanislaus, and Orange counties
Health Net Salud y Más	14.47% premium increase for State and California State Universities 19.54% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 2 12.35% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 3
Health Net SmartCare	9.96% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 2 10.63% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 3
Kaiser Permanente (out of state plans)	9.50% premium increase for State and California State Universities and Public Agencies and Schools Out of State
Sharp Performance Plus	10.59% premium increase for State and California State Universities and Public Agencies and Schools in Region 2
UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Harmony	New plan to be available in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties
Western Health Advantage	Expand into Humboldt County

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Basic Plans

CalPERS three PPO plans, PERSCare, PERS Choice, and PERS Select, will transition to two plans, PERS Platinum and PERS Gold. The change is the result of a year-long analysis to stabilize the Basic plan portfolio, including engagement with members, employers, and stakeholders. The two PPO plans will offer more distinction in benefit design, networks, and premium pricing.

Plan Name	Changes for 2022
PERSCare	Transition to PERS Platinum. Retains the same 10% coinsurance benefit design, and network as PERSCare/PERS Choice
PERS Choice	Transition to PERS Platinum. Offers a 10% coinsurance benefit design, and retains the same broad network PERS Choice/PERSCare 11.49% premium increase for State and California State Universities 12.95% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 1 12.64% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 2 13.42% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 3 9.14% premium increase for Public Agencies Out of State
PERS Select	Transition to PERS Gold. Retains the same 20% coinsurance benefit design and network as PERS Select 23.32% premium increase for State and California State Universities 23.75% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 1 23.24% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 2 25.14% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 3

Medicare Plans

Plan Name	Changes for 2022
Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Preferred	Expand into 21 additional counties for coverage in all 58 counties New supplemental benefits: 12 telephone nutritional counseling sessions 1 monthly shipment of recommended healthy non-perishable staples Non-emergency medical transportation to medical appointments, SilverSneakers locations, and pharmacies. Twelve one-way trips, up to 60 miles per trip, per year
Blue Shield Medicare Advantage	New plan to be available nationwide Additional supplemental benefits: Quarterly $80 over-the-counter drug benefit Personal emergency response system Post-discharge meals 24 non-emergency medical transportation one-way trips
PERSCare Supplement to Medicare	Transition to PERS Platinum Supplement to Medicare Plan. No changes to benefit design or network.
PERS Choice Supplement to Medicare	Transition to PERS Platinum Supplement to Medicare. No changes to benefit design or network. 9.14% premium increase for Public Agencies and Schools in Region 1, Region 2, and Region 3
PERS Select Supplement to Medicare	Transition to PERS Gold Supplement to Medicare. No change to benefit design or network.
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Edge	New nationwide plan with OptumRx pharmacy benefit manager
Western Health Advantage (WHA) MyCare Select Medicare Advantage	New plan to be available in 9 counties (Sacramento, Yolo, Solano, El Dorado, Placer, Colusa, Marin, Napa, Sonoma)

Discover Your Options

Beginning September 13, log in to your myCalPERS account to explore your health plan options. myCalPERS allows you to access customized health information and has tools and resources to help you with your Open Enrollment decisions. myCalPERS also provides you with secure 24/7 access to view:

Specific health benefit changes that may impact you in the coming year
Your current 2021 monthly premium and 2022 monthly premium if you don’t change your health plan
2022 health plans and monthly premiums available based on your health eligibility ZIP code
Which health plans your doctors participate in (updated to included specialists)
Your enrolled dependents
All CalPERS Open Enrollment information
Your 2021 Health Plan Statement

Things You Need to Know

It's important to review the details of your health enrollment and understand how health benefit changes may impact you and your dependents. Your myCalPERS account provides resources to help you review health plan changes and compare costs so you can make an informed decision about your health care coverage. To make the best decision for you and your dependents, you should:

Review your Health Plan Summary in myCalPERS.
Verify the health enrollment information about you and your dependents is accurate.
Review your plan, your cost, and your network.
- Will your plan still be available next year, or is there a better option for you?
- If you change networks, will you still have access to your preferred doctors and/or hospitals?
- To confirm doctor and network availability, contact your current or prospective health plan.
- The Search Health Plans tool in myCalPERS can help you determine if a doctor accepts your CalPERS health plan, but it’s not able to tell you if that doctor is accepting new patients.
- If you’re searching for a new doctor, call that doctor to confirm availability. While CalPERS provides a variety of health plans, only you can decide which is best for you and your family.

Use the tools and resources below to compare coverage, services, and costs:

myCalPERS — Log in and use the Search Health Plans tool to find the best health plan option tailored to you and your dependents. You can compare monthly premiums, find plans your doctors participate in, and compare benefits and costs for each plan.
Plans & Rates — Compare 2022 health plan options, find Evidence of Coverage and Summary of Benefits publications, access provider websites, and research networks of doctors and covered services.
2021-22 Open Enrollment Newsletter (PDF) — Review 2022 health program highlights, notable health plan changes, and important health reminders.
Eligibility & Enrollment — Learn about the CalPERS Health Program, including eligibility requirements and general enrollment information.
2022 Health Benefit Summary (PDF) — Compare covered services, co-payments, and benefits for each CalPERS health plan.
California Health Care Quality Report Cards — Find information on the quality of health care and how patients rate their experience from specific providers.
Medical Board of California — Learn how the state is protecting health care consumers and access to quality medical care.

Changing Your Health Plan

It's important to review next year's health plan information, as aspects of your coverage may change.

You may use your previous health plan through December 31, 2021 only. Your new health plan takes effect January 1, 2022.

If you change your health plan, you'll receive new ID cards from your new provider.

Note: Without a qualifying event, you may not change your health plan outside of Open Enrollment. Your medical group no longer contracting with your health plan isn't a qualifying event.

If you'd like to make changes to your health plan for 2022, refer to the information below:

Active Members

To make Open Enrollment health plan changes, contact your personnel specialist or health benefits officer in human resources for required forms and documentation. Refer to Your Guide to Choosing a Health Plan (PDF) for factors to consider when changing your health plan.

Dental & Vision

Open Enrollment for State of California- and California State University (CSU)-sponsored dental and vision plans is September 20 to October 15. If you're a public agency or school employee, contact your personnel office regarding your dental and vision benefits.

To make Open Enrollment dental and vision plan changes, state members contact your personnel specialist or health benefits officer in human resources. CSU members contact your campus benefits officer.

Active Member dental and vision contact information.

Health Premium Adjustments

Review your pay warrant to ensure the correct health plan premium deduction was made for 2022.

If your January warrant doesn't show the new premium deduction, you should see the premium payment adjustment in a subsequent pay period.

If you don't see the correct deduction applied in your February warrant, contact your personnel specialist or health benefits officer in human resources.