News

LACERA is pleased to confirm that on December 2, the Board of Supervisors approved our latest recommended increase to the lifetime maximum benefit (LMB) for the LACERA-administered Anthem Blue Cross I, II, and Prudent Buyer healthcare plans. Effective July 1, 2026 (the start of the new plan year), the LMB for these plans will increase from $1.5 to $2.25 million. This follows last July’s increase from $1 to $1.5 million.

The LMB applies only to the Anthem Blue Cross I, II, and Prudent Buyer indemnity/preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. LACERA’s other plan options—group health maintenance organizations (HMOs), Medicare Supplement (Anthem Blue Cross Plan III), and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans (MAPDs)—do not have a lifetime benefit maximum.

A Major Benefit Boost

If the LMB was an important factor when choosing coverage for yourself and/or your eligible family members at retirement, this substantial increase helps ensure indemnity/PPO plans remain a viable choice for a longer period, protecting you if a major illness brings you close to your maximum.

If you would like to revisit or reconsider your healthcare options, you can review the plan types, benefits, and the carrier plans that LACERA offers on our Healthcare Plans page or watch our Healthcare Plans video.

How to Change Plans

If the upcoming change in the LMB makes an indemnity/PPO plan more attractive, you can switch plans any time, since LACERA does not have an open enrollment period. However, there is a mandatory six-month waiting period (with some exceptions; see more under Waiting Periods and Exceptions on the Manage Your Enrollment page).

The waiting period begins the month following the date LACERA receives your enrollment change form(s). So, for example, if you submit your change forms on any day in January 2026, your waiting period starts in February 2026, and your new plan becomes active in August 2026. Until then, you'll stay covered by your current insurer.

For more information about changing plans, visit the Manage Your Enrollment page. Medical changes forms are available on the Retiree Healthcare Forms and Publications page. We recommend viewing the instructions and sample forms when filling out and submitting your form, or watch this step-by-step video for guidance.

If you need assistance, we are here to help! You can contact the Retiree Healthcare Division at 800-786-6464 (press 2) or sign in to your My LACERA account and click on the Messages button (above the blue navigation bar) to get in touch with us.

Our Ongoing Commitment to You

The County and LACERA are continually reviewing these health plans through annual experience studies. These evaluations enable us to adjust the LMB as needed, with plans for another increase in 2027 and the ultimate goal of removing the cap altogether. These efforts reflect our commitment to providing your promised benefits and ensuring you receive the healthcare you need and deserve.