FAQ for Health Plan Changes In 2026

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Open Enrollment begins on October 27 and runs through November 10, 2025. Beginning on October 1, a special customer service number will be available through Personify (formerly HealthComp) to assist with questions related to care continuity for employees changing to the USC Trojan Care EPO or PPO plans.

USC Health leaders and the Health Plans teams are very conscious that we must be exceptionally good stewards of your health plan dollars. Our goal is to provide the best prevention tools and health care services that move our communities continuously toward improved health outcomes. Our focus is in re-investing in plans where we have the greatest economies of scale that positively shape the best health outcomes for our USC plan members.
A: For most employees, the USC Trojan Care EPO (exclusive provider organization) and PPO (preferred provider organization) plans are options for you to consider. The EPO plan provides extensive care through Keck Medicine of USC providers (Tier 1) and select additional partner providers in the Anthem network (Tier 2). Exclusions to this EPO network in 2026 include UC Irvine and City of Hope, as well as existing exclusions for Cedar-Sinai providers and affiliates, including Torrance Memorial and Huntington Hospital. In the PPO plan, these providers and others are covered as Tier 2 network providers.
Your coverage continues through December 31, 2025.
Beginning on October 1, 2025, Personify (formerly HealthComp) will be available to assist you in verifying if your provider is in network (Tier 1 or Tier 2) or out of network for the EPO plan. If you prefer to have a wider network of providers to select from, the PPO plan may be a better match for your needs. For a general overview of current (as of Sept 2025) EPO Tier 2 network in California, see the map embedded at the bottom of this page.
Yes, the USC Premier Care service is the service line available to help schedule your appointments, coordinate between departments, and provide navigation between all Keck Medicine of USC health care services. If you have questions about coverage and transitions involving Tier 2 (in the EPO plan) or out-of-network (in the PPO plan) providers, a representative at Personify will be able to assist you.

The premium rates for EPO and PPO plans are available on the summary sheets on the main Health Plans page. Visit the employee gateway for additional information during open enrollment, which is from October 27 through November 10, 2025.

Tier 1 includes all Keck Medicine of USC providers and practice locations, as well as a extended network of local providers. [Important regional exclusions: UCLA, UC Irvine, City of Hope, Cedar-Sinai, including Huntington Hospital and affiliated providers, are out-of-network in the EPO for all services except for emergency care.] The EPO plan provides a nationwide network of coverage in Tier 2, which can greatly benefit employees and dependents who are out of state. The PPO plan is a plan with international coverage, and additional enhancements that will be announced shortly before open enrollment on October 27.
Open Enrollment is October 27 – November 10, 2025.
PPO coverage: You have Tier 2 coverage under the PPO plan for these providers. These providers are considered out-of-network for the EPO. If you choose the EPO, continuity care services to find a new in-network provider is available through Personify Health beginning October 1.
The EPO or PPO are both feasible options for employees outside of California (or employees with dependents outside of California), as Tier 2 provides a national network of providers.
For select hospital union groups, the EPO Select plan (a “no premium” plan based on the USC Trojan Care EPO, but with no monthly premium contributions) is available to you. The EPO Select plan does have higher co-pays and deductibles. You are also eligible to participate in the EPO plan if you would like lower co-pays and deductibles. The PPO plan is also available to you.
No. You can select providers based on your needs and preferences from any tier for different health care conditions.
A PPO offers the greatest flexibility and range of providers including out of network coverage. Referrals are not required to see specialists.  An EPO does NOT offer out of network coverage and a more limited network. Referrals, however, are not required to see specialists.  An HMO requires members to select a PCP and receive referrals to see a specialist. 

Additional Clarifications

Examples of in-network Tier 2 EPO regional health care providers include Providence (St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, Little Company of St. Mary’s in Torrance) as well as PIH (Good Samaritan, PIH Whittier, PIH Downey), among others.  Please remember to always confirm providers are in-network using the provider finder before getting care to avoid extra costs. Note: These providers are also part of Tier 2 in the PPO plan.

No. The discontinuation of the HMO plan does not impact your PPO or EPO network.  The Anthem network will remain the basis of the Tier 2 network for both the EPO and PPO.

  • The PPO Tier 2 network is not changing; this has no exclusions, includes the entire Anthem Prudent Buyer network. (This plan offers the maximum amount of health care flexibility.)
  • The EPO Tier 2 network will remain similar but will now exclude UCI and City of Hope, in addition to the existing exclusions of UCLA and Cedars Sinai locations and affiliates (including Torrance Memorial and Huntington Memorial Hospitals).

EPO Tier 2 Facilities

In addition to EPO Tier 1 Facilities (Keck Medicine of USC, including Keck Hospital, USC Arcadia Hospital, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center; a broad network of partner providers in primary care and pediatrics; and maternity care at Glendale Adventist, White Memorial, Long Beach Memorial, and Orange Coast Memorial Hospitals), USC EPO plan members have access to an extensive network of facilities throughout California and nationwide. The map below is illustrative of California-based Tier 2 Facilities (as of Sept 17, 2025). Additional facilities outside of California that are part of the Anthem Prudent Buyer Network are also in-network for Tier 2. Plan members should check with Personify Health about in-network status of their specific facility and providers of choice at the time of service.