As recently announced on UCnet, Open Enrollment for 2024 benefits will begin Thursday, Oct. 26, at 8 a.m. PDT, and end on Friday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m PST. Please do not wait until the last minute! Make time on your calendar now to give yourself the opportunity to ask questions, if that need arises.
UC and employers nationwide are feeling the effects of three factors that directly impact medical plan premiums: costs for medical care, costs for prescription drugs, and how much care is used by the people who are insured. Despite UC covering a larger share of premiums than in previous years, we will incur a significant increase in medical plan premiums for 2024.
To help protect UC employees, retirees and their families from rising premiums, UC approved a significant budget increase for 2024 - an additional $84 million for employees, and $9 million for Medicare-eligible retirees. These additional subsidies directly reduce premiums for employees, retirees and their families.
However, despite our substantial contributions, employees will still experience an increase. The most significant updates for premiums in 2024 include:
- For the lowest-cost Kaiser plan (self-coverage for people making $68,000 or less per year), the monthly employee premium will change by fewer than $8 a month
- For UC Health Savings Plan members covering family members, premiums will be up to three times higher than they were last year
- UC will continue to pay the full cost of dental and vision coverage for employees and their eligible dependents. Employee vision plan coverage for contact lenses will change from a combined maximum benefit of $160 for lenses and exam to a maximum benefit of $160 for lenses, with the exam covered separately with a copay of up to $60
- There are no changes to premium costs or benefits for legal, disability, life or accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
Premium contributions for certain employee groups and locations may vary from the amounts shown on UCnet and in Open Enrollment materials. To see rates specific to your location and bargaining unit (if represented), sign into your UCPath account beginning Oct. 26, 2023.
Other important information and reminders:
- If you do not make changes during Open Enrollment, your existing health coverage in 2024 will continue, but your costs will change
- UC will offer the same medical and non-medical plans in 2024
- You must enroll or re-enroll in your health and/or dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) each year
We understand you will have a lot of questions, and want to assure you that once Open Enrollment period begins, you will have access to the necessary resources to help you make the best decisions about coverage for you and your family.
UC San Diego will host Open Enrollment presentations and activities (including live and pre-recorded presentations with the vendors, office hours, and more) starting October 26 through the end of Open Enrollment. Be on the lookout for registration details and additional updates available via Blink starting October 26.
If you are a health or health sciences employee, and you have questions about your benefits, contact Health HR.
