- Retirees
- Benefits for retirees
- Retiree health & home benefits
- Medical plans for retirees
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UC High Option Supplement to Medicare
UC High Option Supplement to Medicare
Administered by Anthem Blue Cross (medical) and Navitus (pharmacy)
UC High Option is a Medicare supplement plan, covering costs Medicare does not cover.
Changes for 2025:
- Prescription drug copays will increase by $5-$15 for a 30-day supply across Tiers 1-3.
- Inflation Reduction Act provisions for 2025 will cap the out-of-pocket prescription drug cost limit at $2,000 for Medicare Part D members, eliminate the coverage gap phase (or the “donut hole”), and introduce an option to pay for prescription costs in monthly installments.
- Full Full eligibility not available
- Mid Mid eligibility not available
- Core Core eligibility not available
- Retirees Retirees eligibility not available
How the plan works
- You must use Medicare providers.
- You’ll pay less if your health care provider accepts the Medicare-allowed amount as full payment for a covered service. This is called “accepting Medicare assignment.”
- Medicare pays first for the services it covers. Then UC High Option pays a portion, or all, of the remaining cost based on the plan benefit and the Medicare-approved amount for that service.
- You pay the deductible ($50 per member) for services that are covered by the plan but not by Medicare.
- Behavioral health benefits are provided by Medicare and Anthem Blue Cross. Members are covered for outpatient services not covered by Medicare from all in- and out-of-network licensed behavioral health providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, MFTs and MFCCs. Please check with your provider to be sure they are available under this plan.
- See updated information about coverage for COVID tests.
Before you travel, call the Anthem Health Guide to learn about your benefits outside of the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, provided through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core® Program.
If you need assistance while you’re out of the country, the Global Core service center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 810-BLUE (2583), or you can call them collect at (804) 673-1177. Keep your ID card handy (in your wallet or on your phone) when you travel to help you get the care you need.
Best fit for you if:
- You are willing to pay higher premiums for nearly 100% coverage.
- You want direct access to Medicare providers without the need for referrals.
Understanding your costs
UC High Option Supplement has a deductible of $50 for services not covered by Medicare. The out-of-pocket maximum for medical benefits is $1,050.
- Wellness visit: no charge
- Office and emergency room visits: Medicare pays 80% of Medicare allowable charges and the plan pays the remaining 20%.
- Hospital stay:
- First 60 days: Your plan pays the Medicare Part A Deductible and Medicare pays the balance.
- Days 61–90: Medicare pays all but $400 per day. Your plan pays the remaining $400 per day.
- Days 91 and beyond: Your plan pays 80% of eligible expenses and you pay 20% of eligible expenses.
- Care outside the U.S.: You pay 20% of billed charges after a deductible of $50 per person.
Moving outside California?
UC offers a Medicare Coordinator Program (administered by Via Benefits) to retirees and to families whose members are all eligible for or enrolled in Medicare and live in a state outside California.
Plan contacts
- UC Health Plans website
- Anthem Health Guide: 844-437-0486
- Anthem Behavioral Health: 844-792-5141
- Navitus Medicare Rx: 833-837-4309
Plan documents (2025)
- UC High Option Supplement to Medicare 2025 Medical Plan Benefits Summary—English [PDF]
- UC High Option Supplement to Medicare 2025 Medical Plan Benefits Summary—Spanish [PDF]
- UC High Option Supplement to Medicare 2025 Benefit Booklet [PDF]
- UC High Option Supplement to Medicare—Navitus 2025 Evidence of Coverage [PDF]
- UC High Option Supplement to Medicare—Navitus 2025 Medicare Part D Formulary [PDF]
- UC High Option Supplement to Medicare—Navitus MedicareRx 2025 Summary of Benefits [PDF]
- UC High Option Supplement to Medicare—Navitus MedicareRx 2025 Pharmacy Directory [PDF]