[UCRDBR] Core-level Medical Plan Options for Employees Enrolled in Medicare Parts A, B, or D

[Departmental Benefits Representatives]

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November 26, 2025

To:
Department Benefits Representatives (DBRs)

From:
Central HR Benefits Office on behalf of UC Office of the President
Re:
Core-level Medical Plan Options for Employees Enrolled in Medicare Parts A, B, or D
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
DBRs, please share this information via your internal listserv.  Do not reply to this email.  Please send a separate email with questions to benefits at ucr.edu<mailto:benefits at ucr.edu>.


UC Office of the President has shared notification of a policy exception for employees who are eligible for *core-level benefits and also enrolled in Medicare.  Beginning  in 2026, *core-level benefits eligible employees will be offered HealthSavings+, the new high-deductible health plan that includes a Health Savings Account (HSA). However, federal regulations prohibit a Medicare enrollee from contributing to an HSA; therefore, those enrolled in Medicare Parts A, B, or D must be offered other medical plan options.

A *core-level benefits eligible employee who is enrolled in Medicare Parts A, B or D may choose any other UC medical plan - Kaiser HMO, Health Net UC Blue & Gold HMO, or Blue Shield UC Care PPO. Note this exception does not apply to core-level benefits eligible employees who are not enrolled in Medicare.

Employees currently enrolled in the UC Health Savings Plan or CORE received a notification from
the UCPath Center on November 12, 2025, which mentioned this exception.

UCPath administrators are not typically aware of when employees are enrolled in Medicare, so individuals must self-identify to request a plan change.  Employees who did not take appropriate action during Open Enrollment may complete a Late Open Enrollment Exception request with UCPath to request a plan change or to waive medical coverage (see below for process).  The employee must provide proof of Medicare enrollment with the request.

Submit an Open Enrollment Benefits eForm to request late enrollment to update the medical plan after the end of the Open Enrollment period due to Medicare Parts A, B, or D coverage.

Employees should follow the steps outlined below:


  1.  Employee will log into UCPath at http://ucpath.universityofcalifornia.edu/ and enter their Single Sign-On credentials
  2.  On the UCPath Main Menu, select Benefits & Retirement
  3.  Under Forms, select Benefits Request eForm
  4.  Click on Submit, a new eForm will populate with the employee's personal information

Employee should enter the following:

  *   Event Date: 01/01/2026
  *   Select the benefits program, based upon the employee's benefits-primary position. The options provided are:
     *   Faculty/Staff Benefits
     *   Graduate Student Benefits
     *   Medical Resident Benefits
     *   Postdoctoral Scholar Benefits
     *   Reason for Request: Annual Open Enrollment


  1.  The Late Enrollment section will populate. The employee must complete the Reason For Late Enrollment Request comment section by providing a detailed explanation as to why they are requesting late enrollment for the Open Enrollment period as the reason provided will be considered in the decision to approve or deny the enrollment request.
  2.  Make benefit elections.
  3.  Submit the eForm.

Once the Open Enrollment eForm has been reviewed by UCPath, a follow-up email will be sent indicating if the enrollment request has been approved or denied.

Employees who do not have computer access should contact UCPath by phone at 1-855-982-7284 for assistance.
*Core level benefits eligibility rule - Those working 43.75% or more appointment, but do not satisfy percentage and duration requirements for Full or mid-level benefits.  Core-level benefits include:  Medical coverage, Behavioral Health, Legal, UC Basic Disability, Short and Long Term Disability, Basic Life, AD&D, Health and Dependent Care FSA, Supplemental Health Plans (see this link for full explanation and list of benefits available Faculty and Staff Benefits Eligibility Chart<https://documents.ucr.edu/HR-Benefits/benefits-dbr-eligibility-chart-faculty-and-staff.pdf>)


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