UC Blue & Gold Supplemental Subsidy Continues Through 2027
UC Davis will continue the supplemental subsidy for UC Blue & Gold HMO for one more year, keeping Blue & Gold employee premiums aligned with Kaiser Permanente HMO rates in 2027.
Nov. 4 Update: The following message was emailed to UC Davis campus, UC Davis Health and UC ANR employees.
As previously communicated, the supplemental UC Blue & Gold subsidy for employees of the UC Davis campus, UC Davis Health, and UC ANR had been scheduled to end on Dec. 31, 2026.
We have decided to continue the supplemental B&G subsidy for all employees for one more year to allow additional time to address system and administrative matters that could not be finalized before Open Enrollment.
ALEX, the virtual benefits tool, will reflect the reinstated supplemental B&G subsidy by Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. In the meantime, please use the Kaiser Permanente HMO rate shown in ALEX to determine your B&G rate, since UC Davis will keep B&G employee rates aligned with Kaiser Permanente HMO rates in 2027.
If you have already made enrollment changes, you have until 5 p.m. on Nov. 20, 2026, to change your elections in UCPath. Fortunately, you can make unlimited changes until Open Enrollment ends.
Importantly, the supplemental B&G subsidy remains time-limited and is now expected to sunset effective Dec. 31, 2027.
We recognize that clear rate information is important to employees when choosing benefits. We appreciate your patience as we work through these technical and administrative matters.
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.
UC Davis is the only UC location offering this supplemental subsidy.
All UC locations 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.
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 offers multiple virtual and in-person help desks and presentations to help employees understand their options.
Questions can also be directed to [email protected].