UCLA Health Accepted Insurance: What's Actually Covered
- 01. UCLA Health accepted insurance plans explained simply
- 02. Complete List of Accepted Insurance Plans
- 03. Government Health Insurance Programs
- 04. Employer-Sponsored HMO and POS Insurance
- 05. Employer-Sponsored PPO Insurance
- 06. Individual, Family, and Small Business Plans
- 07. Behavioral Health Insurance Coverage
- 08. Medicare Advantage Plan Benefits
- 09. How to Verify Your Insurance Coverage
- 10. Special Considerations for Transplant Services
- 11. Network Participation Statistics
- 12. Open Enrollment and Coverage Changes
- 13. Understanding Out-of-Network Risks
- 14. Contact Information for Billing Questions
UCLA Health accepted insurance plans explained simply
UCLA Health accepts Medicare, Medi-Cal, most HMO and PPO plans, including major employers' insurance like Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Health Net, and UnitedHealthcare. Their Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center participate in over 100 managed care networks as of May 2026, with specific Medicare Advantage HMO plans offering $0 copays for primary care visits.
Complete List of Accepted Insurance Plans
The full insurance portfolio spans government programs, employer-sponsored plans, and individual marketplace coverage. UCLA Health maintains direct relationships with major carriers for transplant centers of excellence and behavioral health services.
Government Health Insurance Programs
UCLA Health accepts Medicare and Medi-Cal without restriction at all facilities. Original Medicare participates fully, and the system offers two proprietary Medicare Advantage HMO plans designed specifically for Los Angeles County beneficiaries.
- Medicare (Original Medicare Part A & B)
- Medi-Cal (California Medicaid)
- UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Principal Plan (HMO)
- UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Prestige Plan (HMO)
- AARP Medicare Advantage from UnitedHealthcare (HMO-POS)
- Anthem Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Optum Transplant Network
- Optum Behavioral Health
Employer-Sponsored HMO and POS Insurance
Most large employer groups in Southern California find coverage through UCLA Health's HMO network. These plans typically require selecting a UCLA Medical Group PCP for care coordination.
| Insurance Carrier | Plan Type | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | HMO/POS | Institute of Excellence designation |
| Anthem Blue Cross | HMO/POS | Centers of Medical Excellence |
| Blue Shield of California | HMO/POS | Full network participation |
| Cigna | HMO/POS | LifeSOURCE network |
| Health Net of California | HMO/POS | MHN behavioral health included |
| UnitedHealthcare | HMO/POS | UBH carve-out available |
| Vivity | HMO | Offered by Anthem Blue Cross |
Employer-Sponsored PPO Insurance
UCLA Health accepts nearly all major PPO plans, giving patients flexibility to self-refer to specialists without PCP authorization. This includes national PPO networks serving remote workers and multi-state employers.
- Aetna PPO
- Anthem Blue Cross PPO
- Blue Shield of California PPO
- Centivo PPO
- Cigna PPO
- First Health PPO
- Health Net of California PPO
- Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
- MultiPlan PPO
- UFCM Health System Inc. (CFMC)
- Prime Health Services
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- TRICARE (military medical)
- UnitedHealthcare PPO
"62% of Medicare beneficiaries in Los Angeles County are enrolled in Medicare Advantage as of October 2024, making our proprietary plans critical for access to UCLA Health's world-class specialists".
Individual, Family, and Small Business Plans
Patients purchasing coverage on their own through Covered California or directly from insurers can access UCLA Health through select plans. The system maintains "Institute of Excellence" and "Centers of Medical Excellence" relationships that guarantee in-network status.
Accepted individual plans include Aetna Institute of Excellence, Anthem Blue Cross Centers of Medical Excellence, Blue Shield of California individual plans, Cigna LifeSOURCE, Health Net individual coverage, INTERLINK, LifeTrac, and Optum Transplant Centers of Excellence. These relationships ensure no surprise billing for covered services.
Behavioral Health Insurance Coverage
UCLA Health accepts seven major behavioral health plans for mental health and substance use disorder treatment. This comprehensive coverage addresses the growing demand for behavioral services in Southern California.
- Aetna Behavioral Health
- Anthem Blue Cross Behavioral Health
- Blue Shield of California Behavioral Health
- Cigna Behavioral Health
- Magellan Health
- MHN (Health Net company)
- U.S. Behavioral Health Plan, California
Medicare Advantage Plan Benefits
The UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plans offer unique benefits beyond Original Medicare, including $0 deductibles for prescriptions at retail pharmacies and $0 copays for preferred generic drugs. Both Principal and Prestige plans include hospital, medical, and prescription drug coverage with dental, vision, and hearing benefits.
Principal Plan members pay $0 monthly premium, while Prestige Plan members pay $45 monthly. Both plans provide Uber Health for rides to medical appointments, fitness benefits with at-home workout classes, and a Smart Benefits Card for eligible health expenses.
How to Verify Your Insurance Coverage
Before scheduling appointments, patients should confirm their specific plan participates at their desired UCLA Health facility. Network participation can change, and some plans have facility-specific restrictions.
- Call UCLA Health representatives at 310-301-8700 (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM)
- Call 1-800-UCLA-MD1 (1-800-825-2631) for physician participation questions
- Contact your health plan directly to verify in-network status
- Check the latest list at uclahealth.org/patient-resources/billing-insurance/health-insurance-accepted
- For Medicare Advantage: call 844-590-1757 (TTY 711), 8 AM-8 PM, 7 days/week
Special Considerations for Transplant Services
UCLA Health's transplant programs maintain special network relationships with Optum Transplant Network and Optum Transplant Centers of Excellence. Patients requiring organ transplantation should verify their plan includes these specific designations, as transplant coverage involves complex billing.
Network Participation Statistics
As of May 2026, UCLA Health participates in over 100 local and national managed care networks, serving approximately 2.3 million insured patients annually across Los Angeles County. The system processes more than 450,000 insurance claims monthly through their billing infrastructure.
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center accepts 98% of major PPO plans in California, while UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center accepts 95% of regional HMO plans. This high participation rate ensures most Southern California residents have access to UCLA Health's specialized services.
Open Enrollment and Coverage Changes
During 2026 open enrollment, UCLA Health continues accepting most PPOs, HMOs, and other health insurance plans. A compassionate customer service representative is available to help verify coverage at 310-825-2631. Network changes typically take effect January 1st or July 1st each year.
Patients experiencing life events like marriage, birth, or job loss qualify for special enrollment periods outside standard open enrollment. UCLA Health's billing team can assist with verifying new coverage during these transition periods.
Understanding Out-of-Network Risks
Even with accepted insurance, patients should verify specific provider participation within their plan. Some plans cover UCLA Health facilities but exclude certain physician groups or specialty services. Out-of-network care can result in significant balance billing.
For specialist referrals, HMO members must obtain authorization through their assigned UCLA Medical Group PCP. PPO members can self-refer but should confirm the specialist participates in their specific network tier to minimize out-of-pocket costs.
Contact Information for Billing Questions
UCLA Health's billing and insurance department operates Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. For general insurance questions, call 310-301-8700. For physician participation verification, call 1-800-825-2631. Medicare Advantage enrollees should call 844-590-1757 (TTY 711), available 8 AM to 8 PM, seven days weekly.
The patient resource center provides downloadable insurance verification forms and detailed coverage guides at uclahealth.org/patient-resources/billing-insurance. Online tools allow patients to search for covered services and estimate out-of-pocket costs before scheduling appointments.
Everything you need to know about Ucla Health Accepted Insurance Whats Actually Covered
Does UCLA Health accept Kaiser Permanente?
No, UCLA Health does not accept Kaiser Permanente insurance. Kaiser operates as an integrated system with its own facilities, and patients with Kaiser coverage must receive care at Kaiser facilities for in-network coverage.
Does UCLA Health accept Medicare?
Yes, UCLA Health accepts Medicare assignment at all facilities including Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. Original Medicare beneficiaries receive full coverage without network restrictions.
What Medicare Advantage plans does UCLA Health accept?
UCLA Health accepts its own proprietary Medicare Advantage HMO plans (Principal and Prestige), UnitedHealthcare AARP Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS), Anthem Medicare Advantage (PPO), and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage PPO. The proprietary plans offer $0 copays for primary care and specialist visits.
Does UCLA Health accept Medi-Cal?
Yes, UCLA Health accepts Medi-Cal (California's Medicaid program) at all facilities. Medi-Cal beneficiaries receive the same access to specialists and services as commercially insured patients.
Does UCLA Health accept TRICARE?
Yes, UCLA Health accepts TRICARE military health insurance under their PPO network. Active-duty military, retirees, and dependents can receive care at UCLA Health facilities with TRICARE coverage.
How do I find out if my specific plan is accepted?
Call UCLA Health's billing department at 310-301-8700 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM) with your insurance card in hand. Representatives can verify your exact plan name and group number against their current network participants.