UC Blue & Gold Supplemental Subsidy Ending for Calendar Year 2027
The supplemental subsidy for UC Blue & Gold HMO will sunset in December 2026.
The supplemental subsidy aligned Blue & Gold employee premiums with Kaiser HMO rates under a time-limited program that was unique to the Davis campus, UC Davis Health and UC ANR.
Employees will have multiple plan options at different price points in 2027, and carefully reviewing your costs and coverage options will be very important.
Open Enrollment Website
- Find medical plan rates for 2027
- Learn what's changing for 2027
- Explore your options using ALEX
- Check out other plans: dental, vision, legal and more
- Save on taxes using flexible spending accounts.
Background
The supplemental subsidy was introduced when the Western Health Advantage insurance plan was discontinued as a UC option, helping lower premium costs for employees who transitioned to UC Blue & Gold to retain access to UC Davis Health providers.
Although we were able to extend the subsidy to a sixth year, UC Davis was the only UC location offering this supplemental subsidy, creating an inconsistency in Blue & Gold premium structures across UC.
Beginning January 2027, UC Davis will use the same systemwide UC Blue & Gold premiums as all other UC locations.
All UC locations will continue to subsidize approximately 85% of medical premium costs overall. Further, represented employees' rates are subject to collective bargaining agreements, many of which include monthly premium subsidies and/or caps on premium increases that may reduce the impact on employees.
We recognize that higher premiums affect employees and their families. During Open Enrollment, we encourage employees to carefully review their individual rates and provider access and plan options, including lower-premium options that may help minimize increases.
Questions?
Employee Benefits will offer multiple virtual and in-person help desks and presentations to help employees understand their options.
Questions can also be directed to [email protected].