- Retirees
- Benefits for retirees
- Retiree health & home benefits
- Medical plans for retirees
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CORE PPO for retirees
CORE PPO for retirees
Administered by Anthem Blue Cross (medical) and Navitus (pharmacy); supported by Accolade Health Care Advocate
CORE is a high-deductible PPO plan that offers access to the Anthem Preferred network of providers, which includes UC’s world-class hospitals and physicians, and has coverage for non-network providers.
To ensure medical costs are shared fairly, the CORE PPO plan now requires premium contributions for employees and retirees.
CORE can be paired with a Health Flexible Spending Account (Health FSA); it is not compatible with the Health Savings Account.
- Full Full eligibility available
- Mid Mid eligibility available
- Core Core eligibility available
- Retirees Retirees eligibility available
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 at uchealthplans.com.
- You may choose any doctor or care facility, worldwide. You pay less for care within the Anthem Preferred network.
- If you use an out-of-network provider, you might receive a bill from a provider for the difference between the provider’s charge and what your plan pays (balance billing). Check with your provider before you get services.
- Behavioral health benefits are provided through Anthem Blue Cross.
- See updated information about coverage for COVID tests.
Best fit for you if:
- You want a lower monthly premium
- You want direct access to all providers without need for referrals
- You are willing to risk incurring high out-of-pocket costs
- You want coverage when you are traveling or living abroad
- You and/or your family members live outside California
Understanding your costs
The CORE PPO plan will require a premium contribution for employees and retirees in 2025. CORE members should consider carefully if that plan best fits their needs. When choosing a plan, make sure to consider all your costs — including 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.
There is a deductible of $3,000 per covered person. The annual out-of-pocket maximum is $6,350 for individual coverage and $12,700 for family coverage.
| Pay Band (full-time salary rate) | Self | Self + Child(ren) | Self + Adult | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $71,000 and under | $25.91 | $46.63 | $110.50 | $131.22 |
| $71,001–$140,000 | $73.02 | $131.43 | $218.05 | $276.46 |
| $140,001–$210,000 | $121.22 | $218.19 | $314.14 | $411.11 |
| $210,001 and above | $170.90 | $307.61 | $413.24 | $549.96 |
Note that out-of-network providers may charge you the difference between the provider’s charge and what your plan pays. Once you’ve met the deductible, you pay:
- Office visit/urgent care visit: 20% (in-network preventive care has no charge)
- Emergency room: 20%
- Hospital stay: 20%
- Prescription drugs: 20%
When you’re ready to enroll in Medicare
UC Medicare PPO is considered the “partner plan” of CORE. That means that if you are a retiree enrolled in CORE, you’ll be transferred into UC Medicare PPO when you turn 65, once Medicare has approved your enrollment form.
Plan documents (2025)
Plan contacts
- UC Health Plans website
- Accolade Health Care Advocate: 866-406-1182
- Navitus: 833-837-4308