A Life Well Lived: CalHR Benefits Newsletter — September 2026
September means it’s time to take another look at your benefits. As Open Enrollment begins on Sept. 14, it’s the perfect opportunity to make sure your coverage and benefits choices continue to support what matters most to you.
Taking the time to review and update your benefits can help you build a life well lived.
Get Ready for Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is here! From Sept. 14 through Oct. 9, you have your annual opportunity to review your benefits, explore your options, and make changes for the upcoming year. During Open Enrollment, you can enroll in or make changes to a variety of benefits, from vision and dental coverage to reimbursement accounts, health insurance and more. Any changes you make during Open Enrollment will take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Visit the Open Enrollment webpage to explore resources, learn how to enroll or make changes, compare your options and more.
Important Open Enrollment Dates:
- Sept. 2, 2026 — In-Person Benefits Fair
CalHR is hosting a Benefits Fair at the State Capitol. - Sept. 9, 2026 — Virtual Benefits Fair
Join CalHR for a Virtual Benefits Fair to learn more about your benefit options. - Sept. 14, 2026 — Open Enrollment Begins
The first day to enroll, change or cancel your existing enrollment. - Oct. 9, 2026 — Open Enrollment Ends
The last day to enroll, change, or cancel your existing enrollment. - Jan. 1, 2027 — Changes Take Effect
Actions taken during Open Enrollment go into effect.
If you have questions about benefits eligibility, contact your departmental personnel office. If you’re not sure how to reach them, visit the California Personnel Office Directory (CPOD).
New Dental Plan Options for 2027
Open Enrollment gives you the opportunity to choose the dental coverage that works best for you and your family. For 2027, you’ll have more options, including new PPO plans through MetLife, updated Delta Dental PPO plan names, enhanced DHMO benefits and expanded statewide provider networks.
- New PPO plan options through MetLife for more choice and flexibility.
- Simplified Delta Dental PPO plan names to make selecting a plan easier.
- Updated DHMO plans with added benefits, including implant coverage and cone beam imaging.
- Expanded statewide provider networks to help you find participating dentists more easily.
With more choices available, it’s important to consider what matters most to you, from your budget and the type of care you expect to need to your preferred dentist and whether you need out-of-state coverage. Remember, your available plans are based on your collective bargaining designation, classification and/or qualifying months of state service. If you have questions about which plans are available to you, talk with your departmental personnel officer.
Use the chart below to explore the 2027 dental plans and see which options may be a good fit based on your coverage needs, budget and how you use dental care.
|
2027 Delta Dental Plans |
2027 MetLife Plans |
Good fit if you… |
|
DeltaCare USA DHMO |
Select DHMO (Formerly MetLife Enhanced, MetLife Standard) |
Want lower predictable costs, mostly need routine care, are comfortable using network dentists only and don’t need out-of-state coverage |
|
PPO Standard (Formerly “Delta Dental PPO”) |
PPO Access |
Mostly need preventive care like exams and cleanings, don’t expect major dental work and want a lower payroll deduction |
|
PPO Essential* (Formerly “Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier Basic”) |
PPO Core |
Want a balance between monthly cost and coverage, expect occasional dental work |
|
PPO Premium* (Formerly “Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier Enhanced”) |
PPO Plus |
Expect major dental work, want the richest coverage available and prefer lower out-of-pocket costs when you need care |
Ready to explore your options? Learn more about the 2027 dental plans.
A New Benefit for Your Furry Friends
Your pets are part of your family, and now you have a new option to help support their care. MetLife Pet Insurance is a voluntary, employee paid benefit that offers customizable coverage for unexpected veterinary expenses, including accidents, illnesses and routine care.
Options may include different annual limits, deductibles, reimbursement levels and optional preventive care coverage for cats and dogs.
Eligible employees can enroll in or make changes to pet insurance at any time throughout the year, not just during Open Enrollment. Pet insurance premiums are paid directly to MetLife and are not deducted from your paycheck.
Because Your Pets Are Family, Too
Learn more about MetLife Pet Insurance and explore your coverage options.
Live Well – Yoga for the Soul
Yoga is a longstanding practice from South Asian traditions that weaves together movement, breath and mindful awareness. This month’s content offers resources inspired by these teachings to support balance, ease and overall wellbeing. Each area focuses on different elements of yoga to meet participants where you are, whether you’re new to the mat or deepening an existing practice.
- Beginner Yoga: An introduction to foundational postures and simple breathing techniques. Beginner yoga emphasizes safe alignment, stability and building comfort with the basic poses (asana).
- Yoga for Mindfulness: A slower-paced practice that centers presence and breath awareness. Movements and pauses help cultivate grounding, reduce stress and support emotional regulation.
- Yoga for Mobility: A functional approach that uses gentle, intentional movement to support joint range of motion and ease in everyday activities. These videos connect mobility work with breath to encourage steadiness and fluidity.
- Yoga for Sleep: Restorative postures and calming breathing practices help encourage the body’s natural shift toward rest. These resources focus on relaxation and unwinding at the end of the day.
- Vinyasa Yoga: A flowing style that links movement and breath in a continuous sequence. Vinyasa yoga supports strength, stability and inner warmth, offering a more energizing form of practice.
For helpful tools and resources on each of these topics, visit Live Well, powered by Grokker. You’ll find support to help you make progress, no matter where you’re starting. (Not registered yet? Start here!)
Refresh and Reset – Join the Challenge!
Looking for a simple way to recharge? Join the Refresh and Reset Challenge on the Live Well platform, powered by Grokker, from Sept. 1–30! This month-long challenge will help you build healthy habits with expert-led videos, wellness activities and encouragement from the community. You’ll also have the chance to join your department’s team, compete for bragging rights and collect points to enter the wellness resource drawing for a Daybreak Digital Alarm Clock with Sunrise Simulation.
Create Your Live Well Account Today
Click on “Validate Eligibility” to create your free Grokker account and begin exploring Live Well resources right away.
Get to Know Whole You, Your Employee Assistance Program
Whole You, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), powered by Spring Health, provides free, confidential support for life’s everyday challenges and unexpected moments.
Your EAP includes:
- Therapy and coaching for you and your eligible dependents*
- Personalized care recommendations and Care Navigator support
- Legal, financial, childcare, eldercare, and work-life resources
- On-demand wellness exercises and self-guided tools
- 24/7 crisis support
Get started today by signing in or creating an account or calling 1-866-327-4762.
*The number of therapy sessions available is based on your bargaining unit. Visit eap.calhr.ca.gov for eligibility details
Login or Create You Free Account Today
Whole You, your EAP, powered by Spring Health is here to support you in life’s everyday challenges and unexpected moments.
Group Accident and Critical Illness Insurance Rewards Preventive Care
If you’re an excluded employee enrolled in Group Accident or Critical Illness coverage through The Standard, you and your covered family members may have access to the Health Maintenance Screening (HMS) Benefit. You can receive a $100 cash benefit each year when you or your covered spouse/domestic partner or dependent children complete qualifying preventive screenings, such as routine checkups.
Learn more, view eligible screenings and access claim forms.
Financial Tip: How to Use the Benefits Calculator
The Benefits Calculator is a handy tool that helps you make informed financial decisions about your health, dental and vision benefits by calculating premiums for different benefit plans and viewing contribution rates based on your bargaining unit. In addition, you will see how much will be deducted from or added to your paycheck based on which benefit plan you choose. To learn more how to use the calculator, check out the Benefits Calculator User Guide.
With recent upgrades, you can compare plans within your bargaining unit or across different bargaining units. This can be especially helpful if you and your spouse both work for the State and want to compare the cost of coverage available through each of your bargaining units.
It only takes about five minutes to calculate your contribution rates and explore your benefit options.
CalHR Benefits Calculator
Calculate your benefits or compare two scenarios to make the best benefit enrollment choices this Open Enrollment season.
What’s Happening This Month
Featured wellness webinars in September:
Physical Wellbeing
- The Everyday Kitchen: Cook Well, Live Well – Sept. 16, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
- Oral Health and Wellness: The Whole Tooth About a Health Smile – Sept. 16, 11:00 a.m.
- Strength Train at Your Desk – Sept. 17, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
- Functional Fitness: Active at Every Age – Sept. 21, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Social and Emotional Wellbeing
- Calm Sessions – Second Wednesday, 10:00-10:15 a.m. and Fourth Wednesday, 2:00-2:15 p.m. of each month. Join at the time of the event
- Yoga for the Office – Sep. 16, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Financial Wellbeing
- Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances – Sept. 22, 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
- Retirement 101 – Sep. 29, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
For the complete wellness webinar schedule, visit the Upcoming Events Calendar.
Live Well in September
This September, make your benefits work for you. Take time to review your options, explore available resources and choose benefits that support your health, wellbeing and financial goals for the year ahead.
