Ucla's Medical Insurance Policy: What You Need To Know

does ucla take medical insurance

UCLA offers a range of health insurance options for its students and employees. UCLA Health accepts various insurance plans, including those purchased directly by individuals, and offers medical, dental, and vision plans. UCLA also has a mandatory health insurance requirement for its registered students, who are automatically enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP) but can waive this if they have comparable coverage. International students at UCLA Extension are also required to have health insurance, including specific coverages like repatriation and medical evacuation. UCLA provides resources to help students navigate health insurance requirements and find suitable plans.

Characteristics Values
Health Insurance for UCLA Students All students are automatically enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) and may waive enrollment if they already have health insurance.
Health Insurance for International Students International students in F-1 status at UCLA Extension are required to have health insurance, which also includes repatriation and medical evacuation coverages.
Health Insurance for UCLA Employees UCLA offers a wide range of benefit plans for its employees and their families, including medical, dental, and vision plans.
Accepted Insurance Types at UCLA Health UCLA Health accepts a range of insurance plans at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center.
Behavioral Health Insurance UCLA Health accepts behavioral health insurance plans, including plans that cover treatment at the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA.
UCLA Extension's Role in Student Health Insurance UCLA Extension is not responsible for any charges incurred due to a lack of insurance coverage for pre-existing conditions or medical expenses in excess of insurance coverage.

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UCLA Health Insurance Types and Providers

UCLA Health accepts a range of insurance plans at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. UCLA Health has partnerships with health plans that designate medical centers of excellence where they cover transplants of organs or stem cells. UCLA Health has such relationships with several health plans and accepts a variety of behavioural health insurance plans. UCLA Health also accepts select plans purchased directly by the patient.

UCLA requires all registered students to be enrolled in a qualified health insurance plan. All students are automatically enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP) but may waive this enrollment if they already have health insurance. Students can waive UCSHIP each year by submitting an application. UCLA encourages students to purchase an insurance policy that includes coverage for pre-existing conditions, which is not always included in an insurance policy. UCLA Extension international students will not have access to the UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center on campus or the UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CAPS) on campus. UCLA is not liable for any medical expenses students incur and/or medical expenses in excess of insurance coverage.

UCLA offers a wide range of benefit plans to meet the varied health care and insurance needs of its employees and their families. UCLA-sponsored medical, dental and vision plans are not subject to pre-existing condition clauses. UCLA also provides a summary of the UC-sponsored benefit plans available, covering plan options, plan coverage, and enrollment. UCLA's benefit plans are effective from January 1st through December 31st of each year.

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UCLA Health Insurance for International Students

All UCLA registered students are automatically enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP). However, students can waive this coverage if they already have health insurance that meets the university's requirements. A waiver must be submitted each academic year to avoid automatic enrolment.

International students in F-1 status at UCLA Extension are required to have health insurance, which must include repatriation of remains and medical evacuation coverages. Students must demonstrate that they have insurance coverage each quarter by submitting the necessary documentation. The insurance policy must be in English and include the student's name and dates of coverage. It must also provide health coverage of at least $500,000 per coverage period, with a maximum benefit of $150,000 per injury/illness. The deductible or out-of-pocket expense for in-network coverage must not exceed $1,500 per illness or injury. Additionally, the policy should include at least $25,000 for repatriation of remains and $100,000 for medical evacuation to one's home country.

UCLA Extension strongly encourages students to purchase an insurance policy that includes coverage for outpatient/mental health, behavioural health, and substance abuse conditions. It is also recommended to consider coverage for pre-existing conditions, as UCLA Extension is not responsible for any charges incurred due to a lack of coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

While international students at UCLA Extension will not have access to the UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center or the UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CAPS) on campus, they can still utilise the medical services provided by The Ashe Center with small fees applying for services rendered.

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UCLA Health Insurance Waivers

UCLA requires all registered students to have health insurance. To this end, all students are automatically enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP). However, students who already have health insurance can waive this coverage. To do so, students must submit a new waiver application every academic year by the specified deadline. The waiver process has been simplified in recent years and is now fully automated.

To waive UC SHIP, students must demonstrate that their current health insurance plan meets the waiver criteria. At a minimum, students must provide an electronic copy of the front and back of their current insurance card. They may also be asked to provide a Letter of Coverage (Proof of Insurance) and/or a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) document. All plans must provide unrestricted access to an In-Network Primary Care Provider (PCP) within 50 miles of campus.

If a student's waiver application is denied, they can request an appeals form from the Insurance Services Office. If a student misses the waiver period, they should contact the Insurance Services Office as soon as possible to discuss their options.

It is important to note that while many students waive UC SHIP, they may still utilise the services provided by The Ashe Center, which is a convenient and centrally located medical facility on campus. By purchasing BruinCare during the waiver process, students can eliminate the $25 visit fee.

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UCLA Behavioral Health Services

UCLA Behavioral Health Associates providers use SFBT to help patients find solutions to current life challenges. Their specialists treat a range of conditions that affect behavioral, emotional, or mental health, including anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). UCLA also offers a Compassionate Response (CORE) team, which is a CAPS program that provides mental health responses to students in crisis on campus. The CORE team includes CAPS clinicians and Public Safety Aids who can deliver behavioral health wellness checks, crisis support, and intervention services to registered UCLA students within the perimeters of the Westwood campus.

To access UCLA Behavioral Health Services, UCLA Health requires a referral from a UCLA Health primary care physician. Students can also access mental health services through the Arthur Ashe Student Health Center, where mental health services are provided by UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Students must have their mental health/substance abuse services initiated at CAPS and may be referred to UCLA Behavioral Health Services or other appropriate resources for continued care.

All UCLA registered students are required to have health insurance and are automatically enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP). However, students who already have health insurance may waive enrollment in UCSHIP.

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UCLA Health Insurance Contact Information

UCLA Health works with a wide range of health insurance plans, including government programs (Medicare and Medi-Cal), HMO, PPO, and Medicare Advantage plans.

UCLA Health provides several ways to get in touch with its insurance department. Here is a list of contact details:

  • Website: The UCLA Health website offers a range of resources, including an FAQ section with information on billing and insurance. The website also provides links to external tools and databases, such as the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments web page.
  • Phone: For general phone inquiries, UCLA Health can be reached at 310-825-6021 during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm). For specific questions or concerns, patients can contact the Patient Relations department at 310-267-9113. Additionally, the UCLA Medical Group has a dedicated phone number, 310-302-1300, for referrals and related inquiries.
  • Fax: UCLA Health provides two fax numbers for different types of requests. The fax number for patient and treatment-related inquiries is 310-983-1458, while the number for all other requests is 310-983-1468.
  • Email: While a direct email address is not provided, UCLA Health encourages students to send secure messages through The Ashe Center Patient Portal to inquire about insurance-related matters.
  • In-Person: UCLA Health has a physical address for insurance-related matters: UCLA Health Information Management Services, 10833 Le Conte Ave., CHS - Suite BH-225, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
  • Paperless Billing: As of February 21, 2024, patients with myUCLAhealth accounts are enrolled in paperless billing and will receive notifications about new bills through their preferred communication channels.

UCLA Student Health Insurance

For UCLA students, health insurance is a mandatory aspect of their academic experience. All registered students are automatically enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP) and can choose to waive this enrollment if they already have comparable health insurance. The Ashe Center at UCLA encourages students to utilize its services for medical needs and offers BruinCare, a program that provides prepaid access to certain services for students who have waived UCSHIP.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, health insurance is mandatory for all UCLA-registered students. All students are automatically enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP) and may waive enrollment if they already have health insurance.

International students in F-1 status at UCLA Extension are required to have health insurance, which also includes repatriation and medical evacuation coverages. Students must demonstrate proof of insurance coverage each quarter.

UCLA encourages students to purchase an insurance policy that includes coverage for pre-existing conditions, which is not always included in an insurance policy. UCLA and UCLA Extension are not responsible for any charges incurred if a student does not procure coverage for a pre-existing medical condition.

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