Sonoma State University

Annual Benefits Open Enrollment

The annual benefits Open Enrollment period for CSU employees is September 15, 2025, through October 10, 2025. The effective date for all changes made during Open Enrollment will be January 1, 2026.

During the open enrollment period, eligible employees may:

  • Enroll in or change health or dental plans;
  • Enroll in or cancel Premier vision coverage;
  • Add or remove a spouse, domestic partner or eligible dependents to/from health, dental, and/or vision plans;
  • Elect or cancel FlexCash. If you have other non-CSU group medical and/or dental coverage, you may elect the FlexCash Plan, which pays you cash in lieu of CSU coverage;
  • Update or enroll in voluntary benefit plans;
  • Elect to participate or re-enroll in the Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) or the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA). If you are participating in 2025, and want to continue participation in 2026, you must re-enroll during open enrollment.

If you do not intend to make any changes to your health or dental benefits at this time, no action is necessary. However, please note that all employees are subject to health premium rate changes.

SSU In-person Open Enrollment Fair

The Payroll and Benefits Office will be hosting an in-person Open Enrollment fair on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 12 pm - 2 pm in the Student Center, Ballrooms C and D. Benefit vendors will be on site to provide information and assist employees. Enrollment forms and supplemental material will be available.

Virtual Open Enrollment Fair

The Chancellor's Office is hosting a virtual benefit fair for all CSU employees. During the fair, you'll be able to speak with the benefit plan carriers as well as staff from Payroll and Benefits. The virtual fair will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 11 am to 2 pm. Please visit the CSU Systemwide Open Enrollment Site for Active Employees for more information, including the link to register.

NEW This Year - Vendor Webinar Series

The Chancellor's Office will be hosting a mini-Open Enrollment Webinar Series, highlighting Health Care and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts (HCRA/DCRA) with ASI, Legal Insurance with ARAG, and Critical Illness, Accident, Life, Long-Term Disability and Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverages with The Standard. View the webinar series flyer for more details on specific presentation dates and times.

These webinars will all be recorded and closed captioned. Recordings will be posted on the Vendor Presentations page by the end of the next business day.​

2026 Benefit Program Highlights

  • CalPERS Health Plan Changes for 2026 - Below is a summary of the changes for CalPERS Health plans effective January 2026:
    • Premiums have changed for 2026. Please review the 2026 Health Care and Insurance Monthly Premium Rate Chart for details.
    • Health Plan Changes

      • Effective January 1, 2026, CVS Caremark (CVS) will replace OptumRx as the new pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) for the following CalPERS health plans:

        • Anthem Blue Cross Traditional HMO

        • PERS Gold PPO

        • PERS Platinum PPO

        • UnitedHealthcare Alliance

        • Western Health Advantage HMO

      • Members will receive a welcome kit from CVS that includes ID cards as well as information to access Caremark.com and the CVS Health app prior to January 1, 2026. This will be used for all prescription services starting January 1, 2026.

    • Health Benefit Design Changes
      • PERS Gold will continue with deductible in-patient credits of up to $500 for completing preventive care activities, while adding the following activities: participation in the Diabetes Prevention Program, if eligible, as well as depression or anxiety screening.
    • The Standard – Critical Illness, Health Maintenance Screening Benefit Design Change
      • Currently, eligible participants receive $100 per health maintenance benefit screening, with a maximum of two screenings per calendar year. Beginning in 2026, this benefit will be updated to provide $200 for a single eligible screening per year. While the number of reimbursable screenings will be limited to one annually, the total dollar benefit will be doubled, allowing employees to receive the maximum reimbursement with just one screening.
    • Legal Insurance Enhancement and Rate Changes
      • Balancing work and taking care of loved ones can be challenging. That’s why ARAG is enhancing the legal insurance plan with new services to address legal and caregiving needs for your parents and grandparents. The cost is $17.70 per month via payroll deduction.
    • HCRA/DCRA Administrative Fee
      • Returning in 2026 is a $1.00 Plan Administrative fee per plan for those enrolled in either Flexible Spending Account Plans. A maximum of $2.00 will be reflected on your monthly pay warrant if participating in both HCRA and DCRA plans.
  • Beginning September 8, 2025, all employees enrolled in a CalPERS health plan can access their Health Plan Statement by logging into their my|CalPERS account 24/7. The CalPERS Health Plan Statement allows subscribers the opportunity to receive customized employee-specific health information in a confidential and secure method, and provides a convenient central location for health plan resources. Employees can view their current monthly premium rates and 2026 monthly premium rates if they do not change health plans for Open Enrollment. The statement will also include specific health benefit changes that may impact them in the upcoming year. If an employee has not created a CalPERS account, they can create one by going to the my|CalPERS login page located at CalPERS and select Participant, Continue, then Register Now.
    • New employees can also review the Open Enrollment materials electronically online by visiting the CalPERS website beginning September 8, 2025.
  • The Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) and Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) permit you to set aside a portion of your pay on a pre-tax basis to reimburse yourself for eligible expenses. If you are currently enrolled in the DCRA and/or HCRA, and wish to continue participation in the plan(s), you are required to re-enroll annually during open enrollment.
    • The 2026 annual maximum contribution for the Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) is increasing to $3,300. The HCRA plan offers participants the ability to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. The minimum monthly contribution for HCRA is $20 per month ($240 annually), up to a maximum contribution amount of $275 per month ($3,300 annually).
    • The 2026 annual maximum contribution for the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA) is increasing to $7,500. The minimum monthly contribution for DCRA is $20 per month ($240 annually), up to a maximum contribution amount of $625 per month ($7,500 annually).
    • Flexible Spending Account Debit Card for HCRA Enrollees - All first time HCRA participants will receive a set of two ASIFlex Cards, which can be used to pay for qualifying expenses at no cost to the employee. There is no longer a need for employees to request an ASIFlex Card. Employees who currently have a valid ASIFlex Card may continue to use their current ASIFlex Card until it expires. The “ASIFlex Visa Card” issued by ASIFlex, allows HCRA enrollees to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses (i.e., health, dental, vision, etc.) as payment at Health Care Providers and at certain retail locations that have implemented an Inventory Control System, per IRS regulations.
    • FSA claim payments are issued daily. Claims can be filed online at the ASIFlex website, through the ASIFlex Mobile Application, by fax or mail.
  • CSU Dental Program - Dental premiums will continue to be fully paid by the CSU for the 2026 plan year.
    • Dental Plan Enhancements - As a reminder, the following enhancements were offered effective January 1, 2019, to employees and their dependents enrolled in the PPO Plans (excludes Premier network and out of network providers):
      • Diagnostic and Preventative Maximum Waiver: Diagnostic and preventative services (i.e. cleanings and exams) no longer count toward the annual benefit maximum.
      • SmileWay Wellness Benefit: Enhanced coverage has been added for enrollees with gum disease associated with a number of diagnosed systemic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis or stroke). This enhanced coverage includes 100% coverage for one periodontal scaling and root planing and 100% coverage for four (any combination of) cleanings or periodontal maintenance. Employees must self-identify on Delta Dental's site to enroll. Employees may also sign up by phone at (888) 335-8227 to speak to a Customer Service representative Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. PST.
      • Value-Added Features from Delta Dental gives employees access to hearing aid discounts offered through Amplifon-Hearing Health Care and LASIK services that have preferred pricing on LASIK eye surgery offered through QualSight. For additional details and how to enroll, please visit:
  • Vision Plan — The CSU provides basic vision insurance automatically for eligible employees and their family members at no cost. The monthly premiums for the basic vision plan will continue to be fully paid by the CSU for the 2026 plan year.
    • Vision benefits include VSP LightCare™, which allows you to use your frame and lens benefit to get non-prescription eyewear from your VSP® network doctor. Simply choose either prescription eyewear coverage, or use your frame and lens allowance toward ready-to-wear non-prescription sunglasses or non-prescription blue light filtering glasses.
    • Employees will again have the option to purchase VSP Premier coverage, an enhancement to the basic vision insurance plan. the VSP Premier plan offers a higher level of benefits for lenses, contacts and frames. VSP offers a large network of contracting providers including both optometrists and ophthalmologists to choose from when vision care is needed. Both VSP plan options utilize the VSP network of providers, however, out-of-pocket costs associated with the plan options will vary. Employees should use the VSP Vision Benefits Summary to determine which plan suits their vision needs. Employees who choose to enroll in the Premier Vision Plan, may enroll directly with VSP through the VSP website or by calling (800) 400-4569. If an employee chooses to enroll in the Premier plan, any dependents that need to be covered must also be upgraded to the Premier Plan coverage. Employees cannot enroll in both the Basic and Premier coverage at the same time.
      • Highlights of the CSU-sponsored vision plan can be reviewed by visiting CSYou or by visiting VSP or by calling (800) 400-4569. Please refer to the vision plan's Evidence of Coverage (EOC) booklet for a complete explanation of the benefits covered, as well as limitations and exclusions that apply.
      • Voluntary Benefits — The following voluntary benefits are offered through payroll deductions:
Voluntary Benefits
PlanVendor
Auto and Home Insurance 1-866-680-5142California Casualty
ARAG Legal 1-800-247-4184ARAG Legal 
Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance 1-800-378-5745The Standard
Voluntary Life Insurance 1-800-378-5745The Standard
Voluntary Long Term Disability 1-800-378-5745The Standard
Critical Illness Insurance 1-800-378-5745The Standard
Accident Insurance 1-800-378-5745The Standard
SRP Program 1-800-642-7131Fidelity Investments
Pet Insurance 1-877-738-7874Nationwide

 

  • Additional information regarding these voluntary benefit plans and how to enroll can be found on the CSU Systemwide Benefits Portal. Please note that all of the above voluntary benefit plans, with the exception of the ARAG Legal plan, allow employees to enroll throughout the year. Rates for The Standard Voluntary plans are listed in the 2026 Voluntary Standard Rates sheet.
  • California Casualty provides employees with auto and home/renters insurance with great rates, exceptional service and impressive benefits not available to the general public: $0 deductible for vandalism or collision to your car parked on campus or at a university-sponsored event, $500 personal property coverage for items taken from your vehicle, and sabbatical return benefits. Employees can enroll at any time. Explore your options and get a policy comparison by calling (866) 680-5142.
  • ARAG Legal Insurance - You can’t predict the future, but you can plan for it. For $17.70 a month via payroll deduction, ARAG can provide you and your eligible dependents with legal coverage. An ARAG® legal insurance plan isn’t just for serious issues. It’s for events you plan for, like getting married or creating a will. Or unexpected situations, like a traffic ticket or landlord dispute. Network attorney fees are 100% paid in full for most covered matters. Benefit from a wide range of coverage and services to protect you and your loved ones. Employees can only enroll during open enrollment. To learn more about this plan and enroll, go to the website​ or call (800) 247-4184. Use access code 19061csu.
  • Critical Illness Insurance - Group Critical Illness Insurance is offered through The Standard, which provides a lump-sum payment to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses and costs associated with life changes following the diagnosis of a covered critical illness. In addition, there are cash benefits for specified health screenings. Employees and their spouse/registered domestic partner must be between the ages of 18-64 and enrolled in a health insurance plan to participate in this plan. Employees can learn more about this benefit or enroll by checking out the website above or calling (800) 378-5745. Rates for Critical Illness Insurance are listed in the Critical Illness Insurance and Accident Insurance premium rates for 2026.
  • Accident Insurance - This insurance provides financial support to employees recovering from a qualified accident. This insurance, provided by The Standard, can help with out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles, co-pays, transportation to medical centers, and more. Employees can learn more about this benefit or enroll by calling (800) 378-5745. Rates for Accident Insurance are listed in the Critical Illness Insurance and Accident Insurance premium rates for 2026.
  • Pet Insurance - Whether they have two legs or four, every family member deserves quality health care. That’s why this pet health insurance gives you the freedom to use any vet, anywhere, including specialist and emergency providers. Nationwide offers various benefit options for your pets. This insurance can cover your pet’s accidents, illness and even preventive care and wellness services. Plans are available for dogs, cats, birds, small mammals and exotics (such as reptiles). Employees may enroll or cancel at any time.​ To learn more about this plan and/or to enroll, visit their website or call (877) 738-7874.
  • CSU Retiree Internet Website - During Open Enrollment and throughout the year, CSU retirees can access health, dental, and vision information online. CSU Retirees with questions regarding health or dental eligibility and access to my|CalPERS should contact CalPERS directly at (888) 225-7377.
    • Eligible CSU retirees have the option to enroll in the VSP Premier Vision Service Plan, an enhancement to the Basic VSP Plan during the Open Enrollment period at an additional cost. For additional information, retirees should contact VSP at (800) 400-4569.

    • Eligible CSU retirees may enroll in one of two voluntary dental enhanced plans for an additional cost:

      • Delta Dental PPO Voluntary Enhanced II
      • DeltaCare USA Voluntary Enhanced

      During Open Enrollment, current retirees may choose between the Basic Plan (at no cost) and the Enhanced Plan. For an additional monthly fee, you can enroll in the same Enhanced Plan you had as a California State University active employee. To enroll in the Enhanced Plan, complete the CSU Retiree Dental Change/Enrollment Form and fax or mail to CalPERS. To be processed, this form must be faxed or postmarked no later than October 10, 2025.

To make an Open Enrollment change, please:

  • Complete the Benefit Enrollment/Change Worksheet. All forms are due in the Payroll and Benefits Office by Friday, October 10, 2025.
  • Your benefits will not change until January 1, 2026.

Important Links

If there is a discrepancy between this information and the official plan documents and contracts, the official documents will always govern.