2026 Open Enrollment Information

Add or Drop Dependents Medical, Dental or Vision coverage

To add or drop dependents to your current medical, dental, or vision coverage:

1. Complete the following sections of the Employee Benefit Record(PDF, 940KB) form:
   • Section 1 - Application Type
   • Section 2 - Your Personal Information
   • Section 3 - Your Employment Information
   • Section 6 - Dependents
2. Sign and date the form.
3. If adding dependents, gather the required dependent documentation.  Refer to the Dependent Eligibility Documents(PDF, 130KB)
4. Submit the completed Employee Benefit Record form and required dependent eligibility documents to the City of Oakland Benefits Unit. 

Enroll or Change Your Medical, Dental or Vision Coverage

1. Determine medical plans available in your home or work zip code area using the CalPERS Health Plan Zip Code Search tool (if enrolling in medical). 
2. Compare plans
   
   • CalPERS Medical Plan Comparison Chart(PDF, 811KB) (pages 16-23)
   • Dental Plan Comparison Chart(PDF, 207KB) (Non-sworn)
3. Verify your physician or dentist is part of the plan network.  You can contact the medical plan directly to verify your doctor is part of the network.
   • Medical Plan Provider Directory(PDF, 159KB)
   • Delta Dental Find a Dentist Tool
4. Select the medical and/or dental plan(s) that best fits your needs.
5. Gather required supporting dependent documentation.  Refer to the Required Dependent Eligibility Document(PDF, 130KB) list. 
6. Complete the Employee Benefit Record(PDF, 940KB) form.  If dropping coverage, select "Waive Coverage" in the plan selection sections. 
7. Submit the completed Employee Benefit Record form and required dependent eligibility documents (if adding dependents) to the City of Oakland Benefits Unit. 

Enroll in the Medical Waiver Premium Cash-In-Lieu Plan (Non-sworn and Sworn Fire Only)

Non-sworn and Sworn Fire employees may waive their medical benefits and enroll in the Medical Waiver Premium Cash-In-Lieu Plan, if they have other group medical coverage.  Employees should refer to their union MOU for eligibility and monthly cash-in-lieu amounts.  Proof of other medical coverage is required to enroll.  Employees may continue or enroll in their dental and/or vision plans while participating in the Medical Waiver Premium Cash-In-Lieu plan.  To enroll:

1. Complete the following sections of the Employee Benefit Record(PDF, 940KB) form
   • Section 1 - Application Type
   • Section 2 - Your Personal Information
   • Section 3 - Employment Information
   • Section 4 - Health Plan Election - (select Waive Medical Coverage and Medical Waiver Plan Cash-in-Lieu)
   • Sign the Employee Benefit Record form
2. Complete the Medical Waiver Premium Plan Cash-In-Lieu(PDF, 291KB) enrollment form.
3. Submit the following to the City of Oakland Benefits Unit:
   • Employee Benefits Record form
   • Medical Waiver Premium Plan Cash-In-Lieu form
   • Proof of other group medical coverage in the form of a letter from the employer or insurance carrier under whom you are receiving coverage (not individual market coverage).  Medical cards are not accepted as proof of coverage.  

Enroll/Re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Program

Enrollment for FSA is done online on the Navia portal.  Employees can enroll in the FSA Medical Care Account Program (MCAP) or the Dependent Care Account Program (DCAP).  Follow the instructions in the link below to enroll.

FSA Online Enrollment Instructions(PDF, 129KB)

Important Reminders:

• Employees participating in the 2025 FSA plan must re-enroll to participate in the 2026 FSA plan. 
• The $5000 annual maximum for Dependent Care Account Program (DCAP)is per household.
• There is a monthly administrative fee of $4.40.  The City covers the administrative fee for Local 21 and CMEA employees. 
• FSA changes or enrollment are only allowed if a qualifying event occurs.  

Enroll or Change Your Voluntary Life Insurance Coverage (Non-Sworn Only)

Voluntary Term Life Insurance is available in increments of $25,000 up to a maximum of $500,000.  Supplemental life insurance is also available for your spouse, domestic partner, and children.  Spouse and domestic partner voluntary life coverage is $20,000.  Children under age 26 can be enrolled in voluntary child life insurance of $15,000 per child.  

Premiums are based on your age and the supplemental life insurance amount you elect.  Use the premium worksheet in the voluntary life insurance packet to calculate the monthly premium.  Voluntary life insurance premiums are deducted from an employee's paycheck on a monthly basis.  To enroll:

1. Complete the Hartford enrollment form
2. Return your completed enrollment for to the City of Oakland Benefits Unit.
3. If you elect coverage over the guaranteed amount of $100,000, the Benefits Unit will send you an Evidence of Insurability (EOI) form.  You must complete and submit your completed EOI directly to the Hartford.  

Submit your completed benefit enrollment form(s) and required documents to the City of Oakland Benefits Unit:

• Email:  BenefitsAdmin@oaklandca.gov
•             Subject Line:  OPEN ENROLLMENT REQUEST
• FAX: (510) 238-6560
• Drop off:  150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor HR Desk

Enrollment forms must be received by the Benefits Unit by October 10, 2025. 

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) enrollment is completed online on Navia's employee portal.  Please refer to the Enroll/Re-Enroll in FSA instructions for guidance.   

Employee Benefit Record Form(PDF, 940KB) (medical, dental & vision)(PDF, 940KB)

FSA Online Enrollment Instructions(PDF, 129KB)

Medical Waiver Plan Cash-In-Lieu Form(PDF, 291KB)

Voluntary Life Insurance Enrollment Form(PDF, 726KB) (Non-Sworn and Unrepresented)(PDF, 726KB)

2026 Open Enrollment Booklet(PDF, 2MB)

2026 Summary of Benefits and Coverage Notice(PDF, 159KB)

CalPERS Health Benefits Summary(PDF, 811KB)

Delta Dental PPO & DeltaCare USA HMO Comparison (Non-Sworn)(PDF, 207KB)

Medical Plan Comparison Chart(PDF, 811KB) (pages 16-23)

FSA - Eligible Expenses

FSA Program Highlights(PDF, 3MB)

Updating Your Beneficiary Designations(PDF, 326KB)

Updating Your Address(PDF, 158KB)