- If I don't plan to make any changes to my medical or other benefit plans, do I need to do anything?
No, unless you currently waive medical coverage or want to enroll in an FSA for 2025. If you currently waive medical coverage you are required to fill out the Waiver form yearly and recertify that you have other medical coverage, download the form by clicking here. You must also re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Account yearly, each year you must fill out the enrollment form and certify the amount you wish to withhold, download the form by clicking here.
- I am covered by my spouse's or parents' medical plan, can I waive coverage and get money back?
Yes, you may waive coverage by completing the Health Insurance Waiver Form, download by clicking here, and providing proof of the other coverage. This can be done by your provider (spouse’s or parent’s employer) filling out the Health Insurance Waiver Form or providing a letter certifying your enrollment. If you have access to your enrollment online, you can submit screenshot of your enrollment that shows your name, the name of the health plan, and the effective date.
- If I waive coverage now and suddenly lose coverage after open enrollment ends, will I be able to enroll in medical coverage through the City later?
Yes, loss of coverage is a qualifying event, contact Human Resources as soon as you learn you will lose coverage and they can assist with your enrollment. Remember you will have 60 days to enroll in benefits from the date you lose coverage, but if you contact Human Resources early you may be able to avoid a gap in coverage.
- How do I figure out what I am paying for medical coverage now and what I will be paying in the 2025 plan year?
You can figure out your current out of pocket premium contribution a couple different ways. You can login into your Employee Self Service portal and click on "Benefits" to see your current enrollments and monthly premiums. You can also look at your pay stubs for the deduction line titled “Health.” If you pay a portion of your premium you will see this line on the first two paychecks of the month, as your monthly contribution is split over two pay periods per month. Add those amounts together and that is what you are paying monthly.
To determine if you will be contributing to your 2025 monthly premium, look at the Out-of-Pocket Premium chart for your bargaining unit under the Medical section above.
If you need help, contact Human Resources, beneftis@alamedaca.gov.
- I am thinking of changing my health plan in 2025, where do I even start?
There are a few resources that you will want to look at to assist you in picking a new plan; download the Health Benefit Summary(PDF, 2MB) and 2025 Premium Rate Sheet for your Region by clicking here.
- Determine which plans are available in your County. Check pages 6-7 of the Health Benefit Summary to determine which plans are available in your County. For example, the plans available in Alameda County are: Anthem HMO Select, Anthem HMO Traditional, Blue Shield Access , Health Net SmartCare, Kaiser, PERS Gold, and PERS Choice.
- Determine which plan(s) cover your physician/group/hospital. If you have a specific physician, hospital, or group that you would like to keep, this may limit the number of plans available to you. Use the websites and numbers on page 14 of the Health Benefit Summary to check which groups, physicians and hospitals are in each plans network. If you need assistance contact Human Resources at hr@alamedaca.gov.
- Compare the plans available to you. If your physician/hospital/group are covered by multiple plans use pages 16 – 23 of the Health Benefit Summary to compare the coverage by each plan. HMOs are listed in blue and PPOs are listed in orange.
- Compare the monthly premium for plans available to you. Now that you know what plans are available to you and the structure of each plan, look at the Out-of-Pocket Premium chart for your bargaining unit under the Medical section above.
- Choose your plan by logging into your mycalpers account. Once you have selected a plan, log into your account at my.calpers.ca.gov, and follow the steps to enroll. Be sure to submit any required documentation or your enrollment will be rejected. Email beneftis@alamedaca.gov with any questions.
- What supporting documents do I need to provide if I am enrolling my dependents?
If you choose to enroll your dependents in medical, dental, or vision please provide the following documents with your enrollment forms:
- Spouse: Marriage Certificate
- Domestic Partner: State of California Domestic Partnership Registration
- Child(ren): Birth or Adoption Certificate(s)
- Step Child(ren): Marriage Certificate/Domestic Partner Registration & Birth or Adoption Certificate(s)
- I am making changes to my benefits, when will the changes be effective?
Changes made to your medical, dental, vision and FSA accounts during Open Enrollment will be effective January 1, 2025.
Don't see an answer to your question?
Contact Human Resources benefits@alamedaca.gov or call (510) 747-4900.