PPOA Executive Director
wquint@ppoa.com
On September 9, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted the new Choices medical/dental premiums and life insurance rates for next year, beginning January 1, 2026.
The year 2025 was quite productive for the Coalition of County Unions (CCU, coalitionofcountyunions.com), which consists of PPOA and 14 fellow unions. The CCU reached a tentative agreement on April 30 with the County of Los Angeles regarding a successor fringe benefit contract. This mutual agreement was the result of 14 months of negotiations with the County. The Fringe Benefits Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a contract between the County and the CCU that addresses the various benefits negotiated on your behalf with the County. These benefits include contributions to your health plans, retirement plans, mileage, vacation accrual, sick leave and more. This contract is negotiated through the CCU, of which PPOA is a member.
The MOU is for three years and will expire on June 30, 2028. One of the critical fringe benefit issues negotiated was the County’s contribution to your health plans. Beginning on January 1, 2026, PPOA members will receive an 8% medical contribution increase from the County, which finally will keep near and, in many cases, surpass the increased costs of your respective health plans for 2026.
This increase will be included in your upcoming Choices 2026 Annual Benefits Enrollment (aka open enrollment), which begins on October 1, 2025, and concludes on October 31, 2025. However, this new increase will not be applied until January 1, 2026, and any changes you make during open enrollment will not begin until January 1, 2026.
By now, all active PPOA members should have received the open enrollment packet in the mail (also available online) for the Choices health benefit plans. Again, you have the entire month of October to make any changes to your current insurance coverage. If you choose not to make any insurance changes during open enrollment, your current insurance coverage will automatically roll over into 2026.
So, if you do not want to change anything, no action is needed. But if you do want to make changes, you must do so by October 31. If you have not received your Choices packet, log on to mylacountybenefits.com and go to Library > Plan Information > Annual Enrollment Benefits Materials.
PPOA members will only be able to complete the open enrollment process by using a computer, tablet or smartphone. The County continues to make improvements to its website to assist you in experiencing a smooth and easy enrollment platform process. If you have unanswered questions or need additional assistance, please call the Benefits Hotline at (213) 388-9982, and there are extended hours during open enrollment — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The County gives you a monthly allowance to spend on benefits. If the cost of your nontaxable benefits is less than your monthly allowance, up to $244 of the unused amount, known as “taxable cash,” is added to your monthly paycheck. The 8% negotiated County contribution increase for plan year 2026 will result in an increase from $1,149.21 to $1,241.15 for an employee only; $2,096.74 to $2,264.48 for an employee plus one; and $2,476.90 to $2,675.09 for an employee plus two or more.
Included on the following page are two charts that provide specific information on all Choices medical and dental plans, including current 2025 rates, new proposed 2026 rates and percentage increases.
PPOA is extremely proud and grateful for the collaborative negotiation effort that the CCU engaged in with the County in securing a three-year successor MOU for your fringe benefits. The CCU also made history in this contract by negotiating an agreement with the County for CCU members to enter into the 401(k) Saving Plans (with no matching contributions by the County) by January 1, 2026. Here’s to CCU solidarity and, most importantly, to your and your family’s health and well-being!
