UC Care PPO

For 2026, UC Care will be administered by Blue Shield of California (medical) and Navitus (pharmacy); supported by Accolade Health Care Advocate

UC Care is a PPO plan created just for UC to ensure the best possible access to world-class UC hospitals and physicians. For convenience and flexibility, you also have access to the Anthem Preferred network of providers through 2025 and the Blue Shield network of providers beginning in 2026, and coverage for non-network providers.

To confirm your provider’s participation, use the Blue Shield provider search tool or call Accolade at (866) 406-1182.

The information below is a summary. See plan documents for details.

Full Full eligibility available
Mid Mid eligibility available
Core Core eligibility available
Retirees Retirees eligibility available

On this page:

How the plan works
Best fit for you?
Understanding your costs
Enrolling in Medicare

How the plan works

Accolade helps you navigate your medical plan and is your first stop for questions about your benefits. You can reach Accolade at (866) 406-1182 (Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–8 p.m. PT). Find all your plan details on the UC Faculty and Staff PPO plans website.

You may choose any doctor or care facility, worldwide. You pay less for care within the UC Select or Anthem Preferred networks.
Annual out-of-pocket maximums limit what you pay. If you reach the annual maximum, the plan pays 100% of your covered medical costs for the rest of the year.
Behavioral health benefits are provided through Anthem Blue Cross.
Learn more about getting care outside California and the U.S.
See updated information about coverage for COVID tests.

Understanding your costs

When choosing a plan, make sure to consider all your costs, including your monthly premiums and what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket for care. ALEX will ask you a few questions to help you estimate how much you may need to spend.

Learn more about what you pay for care on the UC Faculty and Staff PPO plans website.

UC Health Savings Plan and CORE are being replaced by HealthSavings+ in 2026. Compare your options to find the right plan for you and your family.

Typical out-of-pocket costs*

UC Select network (available only in California): You pay set copayments for covered services and there’s no deductible. The annual out-of-pocket maximum is $6,100 for individual coverage and $9,700 for family coverage.
- Office visits/urgent care: $30
- Emergency room visits: $300
- Hospital stay: $250
- Navitus network pharmacies:
  - Tier 1: $10
  - Tier 2: $30
  - Tier 3: $50
Anthem Preferred network: You pay 30% of the cost of service after the deductible has been met.
- Individual coverage: $500 deductible; $7,600 out-of-pocket maximum
- Coverage for a family of three or more: $1,000 deductible; $14,200 out-of-pocket maximum
Non-preferred or out-of-network: After the deductible has been met, you pay 50% of the allowable cost of service plus any billed charges that exceed the allowed amount.
- Individual coverage: $750 deductible; $9,600 out-of-pocket maximum
- Coverage for a family of three or more: $1,750 deductible; $20,200 out-of-pocket maximum

*UC Care deductible and out-of-pocket maximums do not cross-accumulate for in-network and out-of-network services. The UC Select and Anthem Preferred out-of-pocket maximum do cross-accumulate.

Monthly premium costs for faculty and staff in 2025

Pay Band (full-time salary rate)	Self	Self + Child(ren)	Self + Adult	Family
$71,000 and under	$232.12	$414.73	$561.18	$744.42
$71,001–$140,000	$284.54	$508.41	$676.92	$901.51
$140,001–$210,000	$344.68	$615.86	$795.26	$1,067.18
$210,001 and above	$401.43	$717.27	$904.74	$1,221.33

Monthly premium costs for retirees in 2025

Open Enrollment: Big changes for 2026

Thursday, Oct. 30 through Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

Visit the Open Enrollment website

Plan documents and contacts

Documents and forms
UC Faculty and Staff PPO Plans website
Accolade Health Care Advocate: 866-406-1182
Navitus: 833-837-4308

UC Care PPO

How the plan works

Best fit for you if:

Understanding your costs

Enrolling in Medicare

Open Enrollment: Big changes for 2026

Plan documents and contacts

More information