UCLA Health Net Overview: A Comprehensive Guide to Services and Benefits
UCLA Health Net provides a wide array of healthcare services and benefits through its network. As an academic health center, UCLA Health offers patients access to the latest technologies, potentially life-saving new therapies, and clinical trials. Physicians and researchers collaborate across the University of California system, exchanging knowledge with clinicians at other academic health centers. This overview provides information about UCLA Health Net, including its facilities, services, insurance options, and benefits.
UCLA Health Facilities and Services
UCLA Health comprises four hospitals on two campuses:
- Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center: Located on the university's main campus in Westwood, Los Angeles.
- UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital: Located within the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
- UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital: Also located on the university's main campus in Westwood.
- UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center: Located in Santa Monica.
UCLA Health also includes the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and has more than 200 medical practices throughout Southern California. In 2025 - 2026, UCLA Medical Center was recognized on the honor roll of America’s 20 best hospitals and ranked #1 in California.
UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital has a 25-bed pediatric unit at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and numerous pediatric offices across the region, ensuring comprehensive care for young patients.
Insurance Options Accepted at UCLA Health
UCLA Health accepts a range of insurance plans at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. These plans can be purchased through an agent, directly from an insurance company, or at Covered California, the state’s official health insurance marketplace. Blue Shield offers several plans through the exchange that may cover care at UCLA Health. For more information, call Blue Shield at 888-626-6780.
Read also: Career Path: UCLA Health Medical Assistant
Health Insurance for Organ and Stem Cell Transplants
Health plans often designate medical centers of excellence where they cover transplants of organs or stem cells. UCLA Health has relationships with:
- Aetna - Institute of Excellence
- Anthem Blue Cross - Centers of Medical Excellence
- Blue Shield of California
- Cigna
- LifeSOURCE
- Health Net of California
- INTERLINK
- LifeTrac
- Optum Transplant Centers of Excellence (formerly United Resource Network)
Health Insurance for Behavioral Health at UCLA Health
Coverage for mental health and other behavioral health needs varies among health plans. It's essential to verify your plan's specific coverage details.
Understanding Health Insurance
Health insurance offers several benefits, including coverage for crucial services, cost savings compared to paying for care independently, and financial protection. It pays for many medical needs. Each month, a payment is made to a health insurer, such as Medicare or an insurance company. In return, the insurer covers all or some of the medical costs, provided the insurer's rules are followed. For example, an insurer may only contract with specific doctors and hospitals.
Types of Health Insurance Plans
Health insurers offer various types of plans, including:
- Medi-Cal: California's Medicaid program, jointly funded by the state and federal government.
- Medicare: A federal government insurance program for people 65 and older, as well as some people with certain diseases or disabilities. Medicare includes Parts A and B (coverage for hospitals and doctors) and an optional Part D (prescription drug coverage) that costs extra.
- Medicare Advantage Plans: Similar to traditional Medicare, but offered by approved private companies. They cover services from doctors and hospitals.
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs): These plans require patients to see doctors and use hospitals within a set network. A primary care physician (PCP) must be chosen.
- Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs): These plans allow patients to see specialists without a referral from a PCP. Patients can see any doctor or use any hospital as long as they stay within the insurer's approved network of providers and hospitals.
- Point of Service (POS) Plans: These plans combine aspects of HMOs and PPOs, with a network of approved doctors and hospitals. Like an HMO, a primary care physician must be chosen, and referrals are needed to see specialists.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
For many, health insurance pays a portion of their healthcare costs, but not all of it. These costs are known as "out-of-pocket" expenses, including deductibles, copays, and co-insurance.
Read also: Women's Health at UCLA
Health Net Medi-Cal Members
Health Net offers a Medi-Cal health plan designed to cater to the unique culture and needs of your neighborhood. The plan includes benefits to help you be as healthy as you can be.
Behavioral Health Benefits
Behavioral health benefits are administered by Health Net's Behavioral Health Services. The plan covers medically necessary mental health services, including:
- Sessions with therapists (or counselors), psychiatrists, or psychologists, online or in-person.
- Treatment in settings that meet medical needs - from care for a few hours per day to several days a week (referred to as "alternate levels of care").
- Treatment follow-up and aftercare.
For other mental health and substance use treatment needs, Health Net's Behavioral Health Services coordinates referrals to the county mental health plans (CMHPs).
Preventive Care Services
Maintain your health and well-being with a wide range of preventive care services. Find services like food, shelter, job training, legal assistance, and more.
Immunizations
Get no-cost adult immunizations and flu shots at Health Net pharmacies. You can continue to receive no-cost adult immunizations, flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and boosters at your in-network doctor's office and at Health Net contracted pharmacies.
Read also: Westside Primary Care Services
Enhanced Infertility Benefits
UCLA Health Net now offers enhanced infertility benefits to its members.
Transitioning to Medicare
If you are turning 65 and transitioning to Medicare, UCLA Health can assist with your healthcare needs.
Referring Patients to UCLA Health
It's now easier than ever to refer your patients to services at UCLA Health. The referral team will provide personalized help to you and your patients, no matter where you're located.
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