[UCRDBR] UCPath Center Tools and Resources for the 2027 Open Enrollment

[Departmental Benefits Representatives]

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October 30, 2026
To:
Department Benefits Representatives (DBRs)
From:
Central HR Benefits Office on behalf of the UCPath Center
Re:
UCPath Center Tools and Resources for the 2027 Open Enrollment



DBRs, please share this information via your internal listserv.  Please do not reply to this email.  Please send a separate email with questions to benefits at ucr.edu<mailto:benefits at ucr.edu>.





The UCPath Center has developed Open Enrollment tools, resources, and training materials to help support employees throughout the Open Enrollment period. These resources provide important information about the Open Enrollment process.



New Open Enrollment Portal

Employees may begin the Open Enrollment journey with the new Open Enrollment portal in UCPath. The portal brings together the information and resources needed to prepare for and complete the 2027 benefit elections, all in one place.



Members may also find benefit enrollment status, estimated costs, FAQs, FSA guidance, important deadlines, and other Open Enrollment resources. Content is organized by employee benefit groups, so employees can more easily find information specific to the benefits and eligibility. For example, Faculty and Staff will only see information relevant to the benefit group, while Medical Residents and other employee groups will see content tailored specifically to residents.



PathPal, the virtual AI assistant, will be available during this year's Open Enrollment to provide additional support, answer questions, and guide employees through the enrollment process.



The portal will be available throughout the Open Enrollment period, which is Thursday, October 29, 2026 through Friday, November 20, 2026.  Portal access on Friday November 20, 2026 will be available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Members may access the New Open Enrollment Portal here<https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/oe/>.



Open Enrollment Training Video

An Open Enrollment training video will be available to demonstrate the employee enrollment experience and provide step-by-step guidance on completing Open Enrollment elections. The video will walk employees through accessing the Open Enrollment event, reviewing available benefit options, making elections, managing eligible dependents, and reviewing and submitting the elections. It can also serve as a helpful resource when assisting employees with questions about the enrollment process.  Access the Open Enrollment training video here<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8pM3OC6T1w>.



Open Enrollment Transactor Hub (Available to Transactors Only)

The Transactor Hub will serve as a centralized resource for Open Enrollment information, tools, and guidance to help effectively prepare for and navigate Open Enrollment. The Hub will provide access to key dates and deadlines, Open Enrollment processes and guidance, training materials, New Hire and unpaid leave information, employee benefit statements, communications timeline, support resources, and other helpful tools and references. It will also provide links to relevant Knowledge Articles, offering additional information and guidance to share with employees to help answer common Open Enrollment questions.



To access the Transactor Hub, navigate to UCPath > Transactor Hub.



New Hire Letter

Newly eligible employees will receive a letter providing step-by-step guidance for completing both the 2026 New Hire benefit elections and 2027 Open Enrollment elections. The letter will vary depending on whether the employee was hired during or after OE - see the two versions, attached. The letter will outline the required order for completing elections, key enrollment deadlines, and instructions for enrolling through UCPath self-service. It will also provide guidance on submitting FSA elections through an eForm during the temporary self-service closure, including specific instructions for Health and Dependent Care FSA elections. Additional guidance will be provided for employees whose New Hire enrollment period overlaps with Open Enrollment.








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