2027 Open Enrollment Information

Open Enrollment is September 14th to October 9th.

Open Enrollment is your opportunity to change your plan choices, and add or drop dependents for next year.  Open Enrollment is September 14 - October 9, 2026.  Changes made during Open Enrollment will take effect on January 1, 2027.  No action is required if you wish to keep your current medical and/or dental plans.  Re-enrollment is required to participate in the Medical Waiver Plan - Cash-In-Lieu Plan. 

In-Person Open Enrollment Fair

This year we are hosting a one-day in person Open Enrollment fair on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Get answers to your benefits questions and learn more about your options for the upcoming plan year.

Location:  150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 2nd Floor HR Lobby. 

Virtual Open Enrollment Benefits Fair

We are pleased to offer a Virtual Open Enrollment Benefits Fair.  The fair gives you easy access to valuable resources.  Get information on 2027 benefit changes, health tips, and tools to guide your benefit choices.  You can explore virtual booths for benefit carrier information, benefit summaries, flyers, and videos.  The resources will help you better understand your options.  Eligible employees will receive an email invitation with a link to the Virtual Fair. 

Important Changes

Medical Plan Employee Contribution Increases - Monthly employee contributions are increasing for the following Region 1 medical plans:  Anthem Select, Anthem Traditional, Blue Shield Access+, Blue Shield Access+ EPO, Blue Shield Trio, PERS Gold, PERS Platinum, and PORAC.  Review the 2027 plan rate sheets to view your 2027 medical plan employee contribution.

2027 Full-Time & Sworn Fire Medical Plan Rates(PDF, 140KB)   2027 OPOA & OPMA Medical Plan Rates(PDF, 141KB) 2027 Permanent Part-Time Health Plan Rates(PDF, 138KB)

Annual Medical Waiver Plan (MWP) Election Required  - Beginning with the 2027 plan year, employees must submit a new Medical Waiver Plan election form and acceptable proof of coverage each year during Open Enrollment to receive the medical waiver premium.  If you wish to participate in the Medical Waiver Plan in 2027, you must complete and submit the City of Oakland's Cafeteria/Medical Waiver Plan election(PDF, 245KB) form along with required proof of other medical coverage by October 9, 2026.  Click here form more information:  Annual Medical Waiver Plan Election Requirement.(PDF, 142KB)

Medical Plan Changes

  • United Healthcare HMO and United Healthcare Harmony HMO will not be offered in 2027.  CalPERS sent important information and guidance to employees who are enrolled in these plans.  If a new plan is not selected during open enrollment, CalPERS will transfer employees who are currently enrolled in the United Healthcare or United Healthcare Harmony HMO to another plan.  Click here for more information:  United Healthcare Health Plans Removal for 2027
  • Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO - exits Monterey County
  • Kaiser Permanente HMO expands to the following counties in Nevada:  Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey, and Washoe counties.
  • Sutter Health HMO is a new health plan that is being offered in 2027.  The Sutter Health HMO plan will be available in the following counties:  Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Solano and Yolo counties.   

FSA Enrollment - There will be a separate enrollment period for FSA.  All employees will receive additional information for the FSA enrollment period. 

Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance Open Enrollment - During this year's Open Enrollment, you can elect or increase your Supplemental Term Employee Life Insurance coverage up to $100,000 without completing a medical questionnaire/Evidence of Insurability (EOI).

Medical Plan enrollment and changes made in the CalPERS system are not permitted.  Make sure you follow the instructions below to request changes. 

Add or Drop Dependents Medical, Dental, or Vision Coverage

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, 976KB) 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

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
  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.
  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, 976KB) 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

Enroll in the Medical Waiver Premium Cash-In-Lieu Plan

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 must submit a new Medical Waiver Plan election form and acceptable proof of other coverage each year during Open Enrollment to participate in the plan.

Employees should refer to their union MOU for eligibility and monthly cash-in-lieu amounts.  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, 976KB) 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, 245KB) 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 or Change Your Voluntary Life Insurance Coverage

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

Voluntary Term Life Insurance is available in increments of $25,000 up to a maximum of $500,000.  During this year's Annual Enrollment, you can elect or increase Supplemental life insurance coverage up to $100,000 without completing a medical questionnaire/Evidence of Insurability (EOI).  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(PDF, 750KB)
  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, you will be sent an Evidence of Insurability (EOI) form.  You must complete and submit your completed EOI directly to the Hartford.  

 

Where To Submit Benefit Enrollment Forms

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

  • Email:   Openenrollment@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 9, 2026. 

Enrollment Forms

Open Enrollment Forms

Employee Benefit Record Form(PDF, 976KB)(medical, dental & vision)(PDF, 976KB)

Medical Waiver Plan Cash-In-Lieu Form(PDF, 245KB)

Voluntary Life Insurance Enrollment Form(PDF, 750KB) (Non-Sworn and Unrepresented)(PDF, 750KB)

 

 

2027 Important Benefits Notices(PDF, 420KB)

Helpful Information

Helpful Information

2027 Open Enrollment Booklet

2027 Medical Plan Contact Information(PDF, 201KB)

CalPERS Health Benefits Summary

CalPERS Health Program Guide

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

Updating Your Beneficiary Designations(PDF, 326KB)

Updating Your Address(PDF, 158KB)

 

 

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