Don’t just renew
UnitedHealthcare California renewal 2027: what the rate filings show
UnitedHealthcare filed average increases of 22.6% and 21.0% for California small group plans renewing on January 1, 2027. Two years earlier, the same two plans filed 0% and 5.4%.
What UnitedHealthcare filed
Two UnitedHealthcare plans file California small group rates with the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC): UHC of California and UnitedHealthcare Benefits Plan of California. Their October 2026 filings list about 154,000 members. California plans can change small group rates every quarter, so the filing that applies to you depends on your renewal date.
| Renewal date | UHC of California | UnitedHealthcare Benefits Plan of California |
|---|---|---|
| January 2025 | 0.0% | 5.4% |
| April 2025 | 0.7% | 7.1% |
| July 2025 | 0.8% | 8.2% |
| October 2025 | 4.7% | 10.1% |
| January 2026 | 11.6% | 13.0% |
| April 2026 | 16.9% | 17.9% |
| July 2026 | 21.4% | 21.4% |
| October 2026 | 22.3% | 23.3% |
| January 2027 | 22.6% | 21.0% |
Source: DMHC rate filings, checked November 1, 2026. See the January 2027 filings for UHC of California and UnitedHealthcare Benefits Plan of California.
The January 2027 figures are as filed, because DMHC hasn’t posted final rates for them yet. In every earlier quarter above, the final rate matched the filed rate. DMHC reviews these filings, but it doesn’t have the authority to deny a rate increase.
How that compares with other California carriers
These are the highest January 2027 filings among the seven plans DMHC classifies as statewide.
| Statewide plan | Filed increase |
|---|---|
| UHC of California | 22.6% |
| UnitedHealthcare Benefits Plan of California | 21.0% |
| Health Net (leaving the group market) | 14.8% |
| Blue Shield of California | 13.9% |
| Anthem Blue Cross | 10.9% |
| Aetna Health of California | 7.6% |
| Kaiser Permanente | 5.6% |
Source: DMHC rate filings, checked November 1, 2026. Kaiser’s figure is for non-grandfathered plans. Coverage regulated by the California Department of Insurance isn’t in this data.
Nationally, the median proposed small group increase for 2027 is 14%, according to KFF. Covered California for Small Business, which doesn’t offer UnitedHealthcare, announced a preliminary average of 8.6%.
What’s behind the increases
UnitedHealth Group said on its October 13 earnings call that commercial medical costs are growing more than 11% a year, and that it priced 2027 expecting that to continue. That comment covers its whole commercial business, not California small groups.
Other filings point the same way. UnitedHealthcare requested 25.0% for small groups in Washington, DC, and averaged above 21% in Minnesota. In California, CalPERS dropped two UnitedHealthcare HMO plans for 2027 after proposed increases of 23% and 21%, which it called “high and unjustified.” CalPERS buys coverage for public employees, so that’s a different market from small group.
What this means for your renewal
These are averages, not your rate. Your number depends on your plan, your employees’ ages, and your region.
- Watch for your notice. California plans must tell small businesses about a rate change at least 60 days ahead, so a January 1 renewal notice should be arriving about now.
- Check your group size. These filings cover groups of 1 to 100 employees. Larger groups are priced differently.
- Start early. Health Net is leaving California’s employer group market, with coverage ending February 28, 2027, so more employers are shopping at the same time.
None of this means UnitedHealthcare is the wrong carrier for your company. It does mean your renewal is worth comparing with other carriers and funding options before you sign. If your plan holds up, you’ll know that too.
Don’t Just Renew is not associated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by UnitedHealthcare or UnitedHealth Group. UnitedHealthcare is a trademark of its owner, and we use the name only to report public rate data. This article is general information, not insurance advice. Figures are current as of November 1, 2026.