Visit your health plan's website to learn how benefits, claims, and payment of claims are covered, as well as the service limitations and exclusions that may apply. You can also log in to myCalPERS to use the Search Health Plans tool to research the health plan coverage and benefits most important to you and your family.

Some health plans are available only in certain counties and/or ZIP Codes. Contact the health plan before enrolling to make sure they cover your ZIP Codes and that their provider network is accepting new patients in your area. You may also use our online service, the Health Plan Search by ZIP Code.

Open Enrollment is an annual process that occurs in the fall. During this time, you can enroll, change health plans, add eligible dependents, delete dependents, or cancel coverage.

Are you an active member? View Active Member Plans & Rates customized just for you.

Rates & Employer Contributions

View How CalPERS Sets Health Premiums to get details on the rates and plans process.

2023

View the 2023 health premiums approved by the CalPERS Board of Administration:

Employer Contribution Amounts

Below are the contribution rates. Your cost is any amount above the employer contribution.

CalPERS Health Program
State Annuitant Contribution Rates for 2023
Formula Single (1) Two-Party (2) Family (3+)
100/90 Basic and Medicare Annuitants $883 $1,699 $2,124
80/80 Basic Annuitants $689 $1,386 $1,784
80/80 Medicare Annuitants $282 $573 $830
Contribution Formula Availability – State Annuitants

State retiree contribution formulas outlined in the table below, vary by first hire date to the State of California and State Bargaining Unit. State Annuitants enrolled in Basic plans use the Basic 80/80 formula and State Annuitants enrolled in Medicare plans use the Medicare 80/80 formula. All bargaining units not listed as 80/80, have the 100/90 state retiree contribution formula.

First hired by the State of California Hired into State Bargaining Unit (SBU) 100/90 or 80/80 Formula
Prior to 01/01/2016 All SBU 100/90
On or after 01/01/2016

SBU

  • 9
  • 10
80/80
On or after 01/01/2017

All SBU

  • 1-21
  • except 5 and 16
80/80
On or after 04/01/2017

All SBU

  • 1-21
  • except 5
80/80
Retired CSU Members
Group Single Two-Party (2) Family (3+)
All Employees (Except Unit 6) $883 $1,699 $2,124
Unit 6 $888 $1,709 $2,144
CalPERS 2023 Statewide COBRA Health Premiums

Effective Date: January 1, 2023
COBRA premiums are calculated at 102% of the Basic premiums, but some carriers may charge less than these maximum amounts.

Plan Name Single (1) Two-Party (2) Family (3+)
Anthem Blue Cross Del Norte EPO $1,105.57 $2,211.14 $2,874.47
Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO $921.93 $1,843.85 $2,397.01
Anthem Blue Cross Traditional HMO $1,138.98 $2,277.97 $2,961.36
Blue Shield Access+ EPO $859.46 $1,718.92 $2,234.61
Blue Shield Access+ HMO $859.46 $1,718.92 $2,234.61
Blue Shield Trio HMO $775.92 $1,551.85 $2,017.41
CAHP $784.04 $1,522.10 $1,990.76
CCPOA - North $946.83 $1,898.41 $2,563.25
CCPOA - South $780.63 $1,565.94 $2,116.21
Health Net Salud y Más $644.53 $1,289.06 $1,675.77
Health Net SmartCare $1,013.26 $2,026.52 $2,634.47
Kaiser Permanente (CA) $869.73 $1,739.47 $2,261.31
Kaiser Permanente (Out-of-State)1 $1,178.54 $2,357.08 $3,064.20
PERS Gold $781.43 $1,562.86 $2,031.73
PERS Platinum $1,105.57 $2,211.14 $2,874.47
PORAC $790.50 $1,555.50 $2,040.00
Sharp Performance Plus $780.26 $1,560.52 $2,028.68
UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Alliance $858.55 $1,717.11 $2,232.24
UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Harmony $736.73 $1,473.45 $1,915.49
Western Health Advantage HMO $775.37 $1,550.75 $2,015.97
1These premiums cover all Kaiser out-of-state areas.

Since health care costs vary throughout California, regional pricing adjusts premiums to reflect the actual cost of health care in your specific region. This ensures that your CalPERS premiums are appropriate and competitive for where you live.

To find your specific health plan premium rates, choose your region from the options below:

  • Region 1 Premiums (PDF) - View rates for Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba.
  • Region 2 Premiums (PDF) - View rates for Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Orange, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura.
  • Region 3 Premiums (PDF) - View rates for Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino.
  • Out-of-State Premiums (PDF) - View rates for health plans available outside of California.
CalPERS 2023 Public Agencies and Schools COBRA Health Premiums

Effective Date: January 1, 2023
COBRA premiums are calculated at 102% of the Basic premiums, but some carriers may charge less than these maximum amounts.

View the 2023 COBRA premiums by region (PDF).

2022

View the 2022 health premiums approved by the CalPERS Board of Administration:

Employer Contribution Amounts

Below are the contribution rates. Your cost is any amount above the employer contribution.

CalPERS Health Program
State Annuitant Contribution Rates for 2022
Formula Single (1) Two-Party (2) Family (3+)
100/90 Basic and Medicare Annuitants $816 $1,548 $1,983
80/80 Basic Annuitants $651 $1,302 $1,686
80/80 Medicare Annuitants $246 $502 $738
Contribution Formula Availability – State Annuitants

State retiree contribution formulas outlined in the table below, vary by first hire date to the State of California and State Bargaining Unit. State Annuitants enrolled in Basic plans use the Basic 80/80 formula and State Annuitants enrolled in Medicare plans use the Medicare 80/80 formula. All bargaining units not listed as 80/80, have the 100/90 state retiree contribution formula.

First hired by the State of California Hired into State Bargaining Unit (SBU) 100/90 or 80/80 Formula
Prior to 01/01/2016 All SBU 100/90
On or after 01/01/2016

SBU

  • 9
  • 10
80/80
On or after 01/01/2017

All SBU

  • 1-21
  • except 5 and 16
80/80
On or after 04/01/2017

All SBU

  • 1-21
  • except 5
80/80
Retired CSU Members
Group Single Two-Party (2) Family (3+)
All Employees (Except Unit 6) $816 $1,548 $1,983
Unit 6 $821 $1,558 $2,003
CalPERS 2022 Statewide COBRA Health Premiums

Effective Date: January 1, 2022
COBRA premiums are calculated at 102% of the Basic premiums, but some carriers may charge less than these maximum amounts.

Plan Name Single (1) Two-Party (2) Family (3+)
Anthem Blue Cross Del Norte $965.72 $1,931.43 $2,510.86
Anthem Blue Cross Select $865.04 $1,730.08 $2,249.11
Anthem Blue Cross Traditional $1,222.03 $2,444.06 $3,177.28
Blue Shield Access+ $918.22 $1,836.45 $2,387.38
Blue Shield Trio $757.55 $1,515.11 $1,969.64
CAHP $784.04 $1,522.10 $1,990.76
CCPOA - North $893.59 $1,791.50 $2,418.84
CCPOA - South $736.77 $1,477.79 $1,997.02
Health Net Salud y Más $496.24 $992.48 $1,290.23
Health Net SmartCare $1,027.27 $2,054.55 $2,670.91
Kaiser (CA) $820.76 $1,641.53 $2,133.98
Kaiser (Out-of-State)1 $1,161.73 $2,323.46 $3,020.50
PERS Platinum $965.72 $1,931.43 $2,510.86
PERS Gold $663.39 $1,326.78 $1,724.81
PORAC $765.00 $1,477.98 $1,965.54
Sharp $713.19 $1,426.39 $1,854.31
UnitedHealthcare Alliance $834.39 $1,668.78 $2,169.42
UnitedHealthcare Harmony $752.10 $1,504.19 $1,955.45
Western Health Advantage $756.09 $1,512.17 $1,965.83
1These premiums cover all Kaiser out-of-state areas.

Since health care costs vary throughout California, regional pricing adjusts premiums to reflect the actual cost of health care in your specific region. This ensures that your CalPERS premiums are appropriate and competitive for where you live.

To find your specific health plan premium rates, choose your region from the options below:

  • Region 1 Premiums (PDF) - View rates for Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba.
  • Region 2 Premiums (PDF) - View rates for Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Orange, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura.
  • Region 3 Premiums (PDF) - View rates for Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino.
  • Out-of-State Premiums (PDF) - View rates for health plans available outside of California.
CalPERS 2022 Public Agencies and Schools COBRA Health Premiums

Effective Date: January 1, 2022
COBRA premiums are calculated at 102% of the Basic premiums, but some carriers may charge less than these maximum amounts.

View the 2022 COBRA premiums by region (PDF).

Health Plans

View all health plan Summary of Coverage and Evidence of Coverage documents.

All health plans have geographical restrictions except for PERS Platinum. To find health plans available in your area, refer to Health Plan Search by ZIP Code.

Plan Name Administrator Offers Medicare? Plan Information

Anthem Blue Cross (Basic) (HMO)

  • Select HMO
  • Traditional HMO

Anthem Blue Cross

(855) 839-4524

No

OptumRx is the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) providing prescription benefits for this health plan.

Access Anthem Blue Cross’ Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files on their website.

Anthem Blue Cross (EPO)

Anthem Blue Cross

(877) 737-7776

No

Anthem Blue Cross EPO is available only in Del Norte county.

OptumRx is the PBM providing prescription benefits for this health plan.

Access Anthem Blue Cross’ Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files on their website.

Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Preferred (PPO)

Anthem Blue Cross

(855) 251-8825

Yes OptumRx is the PBM providing prescription benefits for this health plan.

Blue Shield of California (HMO)

  • Blue Shield Access+ HMO
  • Blue Shield Trio HMO

Blue Shield of California

(800) 334-5847

No

Blue Shield of California administers their own prescription drug benefits.

Access Blue Shield of California’s Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files on their website.

Blue Shield (EPO)

Blue Shield of California

(800) 334-5847

No

Beginning January 1, 2023, Blue Shield EPO is available only in Alpine, Calaveras, Colusa, Inyo, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Plumas, Siskiyou, Tehama, Tuolumne, Shasta, and Sierra Counties.

Blue Shield of California prescription benefits are administered by CVS Caremark.

Access Blue Shield of California’s Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files on their website.

Blue Shield of California Medicare (PPO)

Blue Shield of California

(888) 802-4599

Yes

Blue Shield of California administers their own prescriptions.

California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) (PPO)

  • CAHP Basic Health Plan 
  • CAHP Supplement to Medicare
  • CAHP Medicare PDP

Anthem Blue Cross

(800) 759-5758

Yes

You must belong to the specific employee association and pay applicable dues to enroll in the CAHP. Note: The Prudent Buyer Network for CAHP’s Basic and Combination Plan is available only in California and in limited areas of selected states outside of California. 

CAHP prescription benefits are administered by Express Scripts.

California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) (HMO)

  • CCPOA Access+ HMO

Blue Shield of California

(800) 257-6213

No

You must belong to the specific employee association and pay applicable dues to enroll in the CCPOA. The CCPOA plan is available only to dues-paying members of that organization and their families.

CCPOA prescription benefits are administered through Blue Shield of California.

California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) (PPO)

  • CCPOA Medical Plan Medicare (PPO)

Blue Shield of California

(800) 776-4466

Yes

You must belong to the specific employee association and pay applicable dues to enroll in the CCPOA. The CCPOA plan is available only to dues-paying members of that organization and their families.

CCPOA prescription benefits are administered through Blue Shield of California.

Health Net of California (HMO)

  • Salud y Más HMO
  • SmartCare HMO

Health Net of California

(888) 926-4921

No

OptumRx is the PBM providing prescription benefits for this health plan.

Access Health Net of California’s Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files on their website.

Kaiser (HMO)

Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage

Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Summit

Kaiser Permanente

(800) 305-1220

Yes

Kaiser administers its own prescription benefits.

Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage Summit is available as of January 1, 2023.

Access Kaiser Permanente’s Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files on their website.

Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) (PPO)

  • PORAC Prudent Buyer Health Plan
  • PORAC Out-of-State Basic Health Plan
  • PORAC Supplement to Original Medicare 
  • PORAC Medicare PDP

Anthem Blue Cross

(800) 655-6397

Yes

You must belong to the specific employee association and pay applicable dues to enroll in the PORAC. The PORAC plan is available only to dues-paying members of that organization and their families.

PORAC prescription are administered by Anthem Blue Cross. 

PERS Platinum (PPO)

  • PERS Platinum Basic Plan
  • PERS Platinum Supplement to Medicare Plan
  • PERS Platinum Medicare PDP

Anthem Blue Cross

(877) 737-7776

Yes

This plan has no geographical restrictions. It provides coverage anywhere in the world.

OptumRx is the PBM providing prescription benefits for this health plan.

Access Anthem Blue Cross’ Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files on their website.

PERS Gold (PPO)

  • PERS Gold Basic Plan
  • PERS Gold Supplement to Medicare Plan
  • PERS Gold Medicare PDP

Anthem Blue Cross

(877) 737-7776

Yes

This plan is only available in California.

OptumRx is the PBM providing prescription benefits for this health plan.

Access Anthem Blue Cross’ Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files on their website.

Sharp Health Plan (Basic) (HMO)

  • Sharp Performance Plus

Sharp Health Plan

(855) 995-5004

No

OptumRx is the PBM providing prescription benefits for this health plan.

Access Sharp Health Plan’s Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files on their website.

Sharp Direct Advantage (Medicare) (HMO)

Sharp Health Plan

(833) 346-4322

Yes

CVS Caremark is the PBM for Sharp Direct Advantage (Medicare) (HMO).

UnitedHealthcare (Basic) (HMO)

  • UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Alliance
  • UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Harmony

UnitedHealthcare

(877) 359-3714

No

OptumRx is the PBM providing prescription benefits for this health plan.

Access UnitedHeatlhCare’s Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files on their website.

UnitedHealthcare (Medicare) (PPO)

  • UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage
  • UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Edge

UnitedHealthcare

(888) 867-5581

Yes

The UnitedHealthcare® Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) plans include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

OptumRx is the PBM providing prescription benefits for this health plan.

Western Health Advantage (HMO)

Western Health Advantage

(888) 942-7377

No

OptumRx is the PBM providing prescription benefits for this health plan.

Access Western Health Advantage’s Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files on their website.

Western Health Advantage MyCare Select (Medicare) (HMO)

Western Health Advantage

(888) 942-7377

Yes

OptumRx is the PBM providing prescription benefits for this health plan.

About Our Plans

  • HMO - A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan provides health care from specific doctors and hospitals under contract with the plan. You pay co-payments for some services, but you have no deductible, no claim forms, and a geographically restricted service area.
  • PPO - A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) is similar to a traditional "fee-for-service" plan, but you must use doctors in the PPO provider network or pay higher co-insurance (percentage of charges). You must usually meet an annual deductible before some benefits apply. You're responsible for a certain co-insurance amount and the plan pays the balance up to the allowable amount.
  • EPO - The Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) plan offers the same covered services as an HMO plan, but you must seek services from the plan’s network of preferred providers. You are also able to access physicians and specialists that participate in the network without a referral. You pay copayments, for some services, but you have no deductible, no claim forms, and a geographically restricted service area.
  • Combination Plans - A combination plan means at least one family member is enrolled in a Medicare health plan and at least one family member is enrolled in a Basic health plan through the same health carrier. CalPERS requires all family members to have the same health carrier.

Additional Resources

Making Changes

Once you retire, CalPERS becomes your health benefits officer. You can make changes during Open Enrollment, add a new dependent, or delete a dependent for certain life events. There are several ways you can make changes to your health plan.

Any health plan changes made during Open Enrollment become effective the following January 1.

If you choose to decline or cancel enrollment for yourself or your dependents, you'll have to wait for 90-days or until the next Open Enrollment period to enroll again — unless you have a qualifying life event.

Qualifying life events, such as having a baby or adopting a child, getting married or divorced, or losing other health coverage, allow you to make changes to your health plan outside of the Open Enrollment period.

  • Adding a dependent child who is not your adopted, step, or recognized natural child requires an Affidavit of Parent-Child Relationship (PDF).
  • Adding a registered domestic partner requires a copy of the approved Declaration of Domestic Partnership.
  • Adding a spouse requires a copy of your marriage license.

For more information about additional enrollment opportunities, read the Health Program Guide (HBD 120) (PDF, 1.69 MB).

Dental

To make changes to your dental plan, refer to the table below. Your contact will differ based on where you retired from and whether your inquiry is related to enrollment or benefits.

If you retired from: Then your dental plan enrollment contact is: And your dental benefits administrator is:
State CalPERS - Call 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377) CalHR
California State University (CSU) CalPERS - Call 888 CalPERS (or 888-225-7377) CSU Retirement Benefits
Public Agency Your personnel office Your personnel office

Vision

The State Retiree Vision Program is offered through Vision Service Plan (VSP). To make changes to your vision plan, refer to the table below.

If you retired from: Then your vision plan enrollment contact is: And your vision benefits administrator is:
State VSP - Call (800) 400-4569 CalHR
California State University (CSU) VSP - Call (800) 400-4569 or visit VSP for CSU Retirees CSU Retirement Benefits
Public Agency Your personnel office Your personnel office


Resources

Forms & Publications

Frequently Asked Questions