Navigating Anthem Blue Cross UCLA Plans: A Comprehensive Guide

This article provides a detailed overview of Anthem Blue Cross plans available to UCLA students, faculty, staff, and retirees. It addresses key aspects such as coverage, access to care, and changes to plan administration.

Understanding Anthem Blue Cross PPO Plans

Anthem Blue Cross offers a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan that provides flexibility in choosing healthcare providers. The Anthem PPO plan allows you to get care from any doctor, hospital, or provider you want. As an Anthem PPO member, you will still be covered as you are now. You may still see your current doctor at UCLA.

Key Features of the Anthem PPO Plan

Broad Access to Care: The Anthem PPO plan allows you to get care from any doctor, hospital or provider you want.
No Referrals Required: With the enhanced care coordination program, there will be no changes to the way you use your PPO network. If you're referred to a specialist by your doctor, you may choose to go to that specialist or a different specialist - it's your choice.
Preventive Care: No-cost in-network preventive care for you and all enrolled family members through UC Health centers and Anthem providers.
Coverage for Various Services: Coverage for other types of care, including doctor’s office visits, hospitalization, behavioral health services and prescription drugs, when you see an Anthem provider.
Deductible: Each year, you have to meet an annual deductible ($100 for individual / $200 for family coverage) before the plan begins to share in the cost of covered services.
Behavioral Health Benefits: Behavioral health benefits for mental health services and substance abuse treatment.
Protection in Worst-Case Scenarios: You’re protected for the worst-case scenario.

Changes in Plan Administration

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, Blue Shield of California replaced Anthem Blue Cross as the administrator of the PPO plans for faculty/staff and non-Medicare retirees. As a nonprofit with deep roots in California, Blue Shield aligns with UC’s values to improve the health of our communities and shares our commitment to provide high-quality, accessible care for all Californians. Blue Shield offers a large provider network and comprehensive coverage at home and abroad.

Impact of the Change

No Change to Benefit Plan: Your benefit plan will stay the same.
No Change to Healthcare Eligibility: There will be no change to your health care eligibility with Anthem Blue Cross as a PPO member.
Accolade Support: Accolade remains your go-to resource, helping you understand your benefits and the providers you receive care from. If you need to speak with someone who can help, call an Accolade Care Advocate at (866) 406-1182 for personalized support about the transition, your 2026 choices and more. (PT). The program is active right now.

Enhanced Care Coordination Program

The enhanced care coordination program is designed to provide extra attention from doctors and care coordinators to select Anthem Blue Cross PPO members.

Eligibility and Participation

Selection Criteria: Only members who meet Anthem Blue Cross and UCLA Medical Group criteria are invited to participate.
Care Coordinator: Each enhanced care coordination member will have a care coordinator available to help with your health care.
Voluntary Participation: If, at any time, you feel this program doesn't meet your needs or isn't a good fit for you, you may opt out of the program. Your physician's team will help you transition out.
No Impact on Coverage: As an Anthem PPO member, you will still be covered as you are now. You may still see your current doctor at UCLA but will not be receiving the extra personalized coordination and services.

Key Aspects of the Program

No Changes to PPO Network Usage: With the enhanced care coordination program, there will be no changes to the way you use your PPO network.
Specialist Referrals: If you're referred to a specialist by your doctor, you may choose to go to that specialist or a different specialist - it's your choice.
Claims Processing: Claims are not affected at all.

Accessing Anthem Blue Cross Services

Online Resources

Sydney Health App and Anthem.com: On the day your plan starts, you can register on our Sydney Health app or at anthem.com to access your health plan ID card.
Find Care Tool: Use the Find Care tool.
Benefits Information: Look up your benefits.
Health Tips: Discover health tips.
Virtual Doctor Visits: Visit a doctor virtually.

24/7 Access to Care

Not all health issues happen during health center hours. You can find the care you need day or night.

Read also: Analyzing Anthem's Themes

UCSHIP for UCLA Students

Health Insurance is mandatory for all UCLA registered students. All students are automatically enrolled in UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP) and may waive enrollment if they already have health insurance. If you choose to remain enrolled in UCSHIP, you will want to familiarize yourself with how to access care.

Key Features of UCSHIP

Comprehensive Coverage: UCSHIP is a systemwide plan providing enhanced health benefits to all enrolled students.
Automatic Enrollment: All registered students are automatically enrolled in UCSHIP, but if you have comparable insurance and you do not want to keep UCSHIP as dual coverage, you must submit a request to waive enrollment by the specified deadline.
Waiver Process: In recent years, we have simplified the waiver process to be fully-automated for your convenience, but please remember that approved waivers are valid for the academic year in which they are approved, a new waiver application must be submitted each academic year to avoid automatic enrollment.

Important Information for UCSHIP Members

The Ashe Center: The Ashe Center serves as every UCSHIP student's medical home. Medical services must be initiated at The Ashe Center and a referral are required for all non-emergent services outside of The Ashe Center. Before seeking medical or mental health treatment anywhere outside of the Ashe Center or CAPS (e.g.
BruinCare: The Ashe Center wants all UCLA students to feel comfortable accessing all of their medical needs through our facility, which is why we developed BruinCare. While many students waive UCSHIP, these students are likely to still utilize Ashe services because of our center's convenience and central location. All registered students can utilize The Ashe Center. BruinCare is a program that gives students who have waived UCSHIP prepaid access to certain services at The Ashe Center.

UCSHIP Waivers

Annual Application: Please remember: A new waiver application must be submitted each academic year.
Waiver Information: For information about the waiver process, including academic calendars, waiver criteria, and the waiver application link.

Contacting the Insurance Office

Insurance Window: If The Ashe Center 4th Floor Insurance Window is closed or unavailable during your visit, students are encouraged to send secure messages through MyStudentChart to expedite your inquiry.
Contact Us Inbox: Alternately, you can use the Contact Us Insurance inbox below.

Form 1095-B

Tax Document: Form 1095-B is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) document that may be used as proof that a person had qualifying health care coverage that counts as Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) during a tax year.

UC Contribution to Premiums

All campuses, except UCSF, pay no monthly premiums for this coverage; UC pays the entire premium cost.

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