The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) is announcing several important enhancements to state employee benefits as part of the 2026 Open Enrollment period which runs from September 14 through October 9. This year’s updates include a modernized statewide Employee Assistance Program, expanded dental plan choices for 2027, pet insurance, and changes to CalPERS health plans that strengthen access and give employees more options to support themselves and their families.
“State employees deserve benefits that truly meet their needs, whether that’s getting help quickly, finding a trusted provider, or choosing the coverage that works best for their families,” said CalHR Director Monica Erickson. “These improvements reflect our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of California’s workforce with modern, accessible, and high-quality benefits.”
Whole You: A Modern, Proactive EAP Powered by Spring Health
The State of California’s new Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Whole You—powered by Spring Health—launched July 1, 2026. Designed around employee feedback, Whole You provides faster access to care, personalized guidance, and modern tools to help employees and dependents access support when they need it most. Whole You is now available for all employees—no enrollment or action needed. Employees can use this benefit anytime.
Whole You enhancements include:
- Appointments within two days, virtual or in‑person
- Evening and weekend scheduling
- Personalized care navigation
- Culturally responsive providers, including specialized support for first responders
- A streamlined mobile app (Apple and Google Play) for 24/7 access
- Wellbeing coaching, financial and legal consultations, and work‑life resources
EAP Counseling Sessions for Employees and Dependents
Whole You offers counseling session levels to meet employee needs:
- First responders (Level 1):28 sessions
- Designated roles in first responder departments (Level 2): 12 sessions
- All other employees (Level 3): 3 sessions
Eligible dependents receive the same number of sessions, extending support.
To learn more or complete a first‑time registration visit: eap.calhr.ca.gov.
Expanded Dental Options for 2027
Beginning January 1, 2027, employees will see enhanced dental plan options designed to expand provider access and provide easier‑to‑understand coverage choices. This gives members more flexibility to select a carrier with the dental provider they prefer. Employees can now choose between two carriers:
- Delta Dental
- MetLife
New PPO Options and Enhanced DHMO Benefits
- MetLife PPO dental plans are new this year. Employees can now choose between Delta Dental and MetLife for DHMO and PPO coverage. Both carriers offer similar benefits.
- Delta Dental PPO plans are being renamed for easier comparison—coverage levels remain unchanged.
- DHMO plans now include implant coverage and 3D cone beam imaging, improving access to modern dental services.
The following table shows 2027 dental plan options, including the new Delta Dental plan names:
| 2026 DELTA DENTAL PLANS (FOR REFERENCE ONLY) | 2027 DELTA DENTAL PLANS (WITH NEW PLAN NAMES) | 2027 METLIFE PLANS |
|---|---|---|
| DeltaCare DHMO | Delta Dental DeltaCare DHMO | MetLife Select DHMO |
| Delta Dental PPO | Delta Dental PPO Standard | MetLife PPO Access |
| Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier Basic | Delta Dental PPO Essential | MetLife PPO Core |
| Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier Enhanced | Delta Dental PPO Premium | MetLife PPO Plus |
2026 Dental Enhancements That Continue Into 2027
- Higher calendar year maximumfor dependents increased from $1,500 to $2,000 for the Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier Basic plan (which will transition to the Delta Dental PPO Essential plan in 2027) and the new MetLife PPO Core plan.
- Diagnostic and preventive services no longer count toward CYM in Delta Dental PPO plans and MetLife PPO plans, allowing more of the annual benefit to go toward other treatments.
Dental Benefits Enrollment Reminders
If no action is taken during Open Enrollment:
- Delta Dental PPO members continue in their plan under the new 2027 name
- DHMO members enrolled in MetLife Standard or Enhanced, Premier Access, or Western Dental will automatically transition to the MetLife Select DHMO plan.
For additional information on dental premiums and cost information, please visit:
benefits.calhr.ca.gov/state-employees/general-benefits/dental/
benefits.calhr.ca.gov/open-enrollment/virtual-library/dental-bookshelf/
2027 Health Plan Updates: What’s Changing for CalPERS Members
CalPERS health plan availability is changing for 2027. Employees enrolled in affected plans have already received direct communication.
Health Plans Exiting in 2027
- UnitedHealthcareSignatureValueAlliance HMO – exiting all counties
- UnitedHealthcare SignatureValue Harmony HMO – exiting all counties
- Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO – exiting Monterey County
If no action is taken during Open Enrollment, members enrolled in these plans will be automatically transferred to an available plan for 2027 (Anthem members in Monterey County will move to Blue Shield of California Access+).
New and Expanded Health Plan Options
- Sutter Health Plus HMO– new Basic plan available in Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Solano, and Yolo counties
- Blue Shield of California EPO – expanding into Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, San Bernardino, Sutter, and Yuba counties
- Kaiser Permanente HMO – expanding into northwestern Nevada (Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey, and Washoe counties)
For additional information on this year’s health plan changes, please visit:
https://www.calpers.ca.gov/members/health-benefits/plans-and-rates/annual-health-plan-changes
For general health plan information, including plans and rates, please visit:
https://www.calpers.ca.gov/members/health-benefits/plans-and-rates
Pet Insurance
Eligible Employees can now enroll in pet insurance through MetLife, a new benefit designed to support the health and wellbeing of pets. These customizable plans help cover unexpected veterinary costs, including accidents, illnesses, and routine care. Enroll at any time, not just during Open Enrollment. Learn more: benefits.calhr.ca.gov/state-employees/insurance/pet-insurance
CalHR encourages all employees to take time during Open Enrollment to review their options, explore new benefits, and choose the plans that best support their health, wellbeing, and families—benefits for a life well lived. Tools, resources, and detailed plan information are available to help guide employees in making informed decisions for the coming year. For more information, visit: benefits.calhr.ca.gov/open-enrollment/
About CalHR
CalHR is responsible for all issues related to employee salaries and benefits, job classifications, civil rights, training, exams, recruitment and retention. For most employees, many of these matters are determined through the collective bargaining process managed by CalHR.
CalHR was created on July 1, 2012, by Governor Brown’s Reorganization Plan Number 1 of 2011. The reorganization plan consolidated the State of California’s two personnel departments, combining the Department of Personnel Administration with certain programs of the State Personnel Board. For more information about CalHR, please visit our website.
CONTACT:
Angela Musallam
Deputy Director of Communications, CalHR
Angela.Musallam@calhr.ca.gov
(916) 202-4633