CalPERS used a Sept. webinar to preview several 2026 health-plan updates, including a Monterey County service-area change and enhancements to the PERS Gold Value-Based Insurance Design program. Vanessa Albritton said Monterey County members currently enrolled in Blue Shield Trio will be automatically enrolled in Blue Shield Access Plus for 2026 unless they select a different plan during open enrollment.

Albritton and Rob Jarzombek described updates to the PERS Gold Basic Plan VBID program that CalPERS says aim to encourage preventive care and chronic-condition management by reducing members’ inpatient deductibles when they complete qualifying activities. "With VBID, you can lower your inpatient deductible by completing healthy activities, which earn you credits," Albritton said. CalPERS said each qualifying activity is worth $100 and members can earn up to $500 in credits per year; dependents other than a spouse or domestic partner automatically receive all five credits at the start of the year, and family credits will not exceed $1,000 in total.

For 2026, eligible activities include a short depression or anxiety screening, preventive screenings or immunizations (which are usually tracked via claims), self-attested flu or COVID-19 vaccinations via the Included Health app, obtaining a second opinion from a preferred provider or through Included Health before nonurgent elective surgery, participating in Included Health care management for chronic conditions after intake with a case manager, and participation in a diabetes prevention program (credit awarded after attendance or app engagement as described by the program). CalPERS cautioned that some credits are tracked by claims and others require members to self-report or complete specific steps in the Included Health platform.

CalPERS stated that the smoking attestation credit previously used to reduce PERS Gold inpatient deductible will no longer apply in 2026. Officials advised members to track credits through the Included Health deductible tracker or the Included Health mobile app because CalPERS will not mail a separate VBID statement.

Officials also reviewed plan types available through CalPERS for 2026—10 HMOs, two PPOs and one EPO, plus association plans restricted to association members—and the general features of HMO, PPO and EPO designs. Albritton noted the EPO plan is available only in 18 more rural counties in Northern California. The PERS Gold plan is limited to California service areas and typically has lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs; PERS Platinum offers broader geographic coverage with higher premiums but lower expected out-of-pocket costs.

CalPERS directed members to calpers.ca.gov/vbid for full VBID details and to the health plans’ evidence-of-coverage documents for complete benefit descriptions. The webinar provided information and a Q&A; no formal actions were taken.