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Human Resources Department

Benefits Unit
County Of Sonoma › Administrative Support & Fiscal Services › Human Resources › Divisions and Units › Benefits › 2026-2027 Annual Enrollment
Benefits Unit

2026-2027 Benefits Annual Enrollment

Annual Enrollment is your opportunity to review your personal and family needs and evaluate your current coverage.

Use this time to decide whether to continue your existing elections or make changes for the upcoming plan year.

Elections made during the 2026–2027 Benefits Annual Enrollment period will be effective June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027.

Annual Enrollment Dates:

Employees and Extra Help - Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 10, 2026

Retirees - Monday, April 20 through Friday, May 1, 2026

Employee Self Service (ESS):

Employees and Extra Help must use Employee Self Service to make election changes between 12:00 pm March 23 through 5:00 pm April 10, 2026.
Need assistance with Employee Self Service? These instructions are available to help guide you through the process. Please do not submit unless you are making a change. 

Retirees who wish to make a change must complete a Retiree Enrollment/Change form and submit it to the HR Benefits Unit between April 20 and May 1, 2026. Please note that forms cannot be submitted early.

Have Additional Questions?

For questions regarding Benefits Annual Enrollment, please contact the HR Benefits Unit at hr.benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

CareCounsel

Need help with Benefit Enrollment Decisions?
Have a question regarding a claim?
Looking for a new provider?

Contact CareCounsel Health Advocacy Program at (888) 227-3334 or by email at staff@carecounsel.com.  Member Care Specialists are available 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST Monday thru Friday.

This is a confidential service staffed by health care experts who can answer your questions about the differences between health plans offered by the County, how to use your health plan, and help resolve problems you encounter with your medical, dental or vision plans.  CareCounsel is not a health insurance plan, but is an advocacy service dedicated to help you get the best out of your health plans and to help you access the care you need.  When you use the health advocacy service, you have CareCounsel's assurance that no identifying information will be shared with the County. 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EAP provides up to six sessions with a licensed counselor to provide guidance and support to help you and your family manage daily stresses, grievance, traumatic events and develop fulfilling relationships both personally and professionally. EAP is available to all County of Sonoma employees and their family members.

CareCounsel Health Advocacy

CareCounsel's Health Advocacy program is a special benefit sponsored by the County that can help you understand and effectively navigate your health benefits.

Mid-Year Enrollment Changes

Have a qualifying Mid-Year Event? Life and employment changes may affect your health benefit options. Find out if you have a qualifying event, per the IRC Section 125, that will allow you to make changes to your benefits.

Benefit Forms, Plan Documents and Important Information

Find all the forms you need to enroll, change or cancel your benefits. Looking for plan information? You can find Summary of Benefits and Coverages (SBC's) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC's, detailed plan information) in plan documents.