- Retirees
- Benefits for retirees
- Retiree health & home benefits
- Medical plans for retirees
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UC Health Savings Plan for retirees
UC Health Savings Plan for retirees
Administered by Anthem Blue Cross (medical) and Navitus (pharmacy); supported by Accolade Health Care Advocate
The UC Health Savings Plan (HSP), a high-deductible PPO (preferred provider organization) paired with a health savings account (HSA), was designed to ensure full access to world-class UC hospitals and physicians. For convenience and flexibility, you also have access to the Anthem Preferred network of providers and coverage for non-network providers.
The IRS and UC have rules in place that limit who can enroll in this plan. Please review the eligibility rules carefully before you consider enrollment.
Changes for 2025:
- Employees with 2024 annual salaries up to $140,000 will see 9% premium increases; employees with 2024 annual salaries over $140,000 will see 11% premium increases.
- Accolade Care telehealth visits will have a $30 charge, which will be applied to the deductible.
- The in-network deductible is increasing to $1,650 and $3,300 for self and family coverage, respectively.
- Health Savings Account contribution limits are increasing to $4,300 for self-coverage and $8,550 for family coverage.
- 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.
- Your pretax contributions to the HSA are taken from your paycheck, lowering your tax bill. For 2024, the IRS limits HSA contributions to $4,150 for individual coverage and $8,300 for family coverage. People age 55 and over can make an additional “catch-up” contribution of $1,000.
- UC contributes up to $500 per year for individual coverage and up to $1,000 for family coverage.
- You may choose any doctor or care facility, worldwide. You pay less for care within the Anthem Preferred network.
- Behavioral health benefits are provided through Anthem Blue Cross.
- See updated information about coverage for COVID tests.
- Please note: When HealthEquity establishes the HSA, it is required by law to verify the identity of participants. To comply with this requirement, UC will provide information including your full legal name, residential address in the U.S., date of birth and social security number or other government-issued identification number.
The IRS and UC have rules in place that limit who can enroll in this plan. This quiz can help you determine if you’re eligible and if UC HSP is right for you.
You are not eligible to enroll in UC HSP if you:
- Are already enrolled in Medicare.
- Are a retiree who was not enrolled in UC HSP while you were employed by UC. Please note: If you or a covered family member ages into Medicare while enrolled in UC HSP, you’ll have a Period of Initial Eligibility to enroll in another medical plan.
- Are covering a family member who is enrolled in Medicare.
- Plan to enroll in UC’s Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA). IRS rules limit the use of both accounts simultaneously.
About the HSA
The health savings account (HSA) is a federal tax-free account maintained by HealthEquity, to help pay your out-of-pocket costs for health care. You must be enrolled in UC Health Savings Plan to enroll in and contribute to UC’s HSA. However, the account is yours to keep if you retire, leave UC or switch to another UC plan.
Best fit for you if:
- You want direct access to all providers without the need for referrals
- You want federal tax-free savings for current and future health care costs
- You are able to risk incurring greater out-of-pocket costs
- You want to build retirement savings for future health care costs for you and your eligible family members
- You and/or your family members live outside California
Understanding your costs
When considering your medical plan costs, it’s important to consider both your monthly premium and what you’ll pay for care. ALEX will ask you a few questions to help you estimate how much you may need to spend.
| Pay Band (full-time salary rate) | Self | Self + Child(ren) | Self + Adult | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $71,000 and under | $86.39 | $141.43 | $197.08 | $248.43 |
| $71,001–$140,000 | $203.54 | $333.11 | $475.58 | $595.82 |
| $140,001–$210,000 | $329.80 | $539.74 | $738.73 | $936.02 |
| $210,001 and above | $456.60 | $747.28 | $1,002.16 | $1,276.89 |
- In-network annual costs: For individual coverage, the annual deductible is $1,600 and the out-of-pocket maximum is $4,000. For family coverage, the annual deductible is $3,200 and the out-of-pocket maximum is $6,400.
- Out-of-network annual costs: For individual coverage, the annual deductible is $2,600 and the out-of-pocket maximum is $8,000. For family coverage, the annual deductible is $5,200 and the out-of-pocket maximum is $16,000.
- Office visit/urgent care visit: 20% for preferred providers: 20%; 40% for non-preferred providers; in-network preventive care has no charge
- Emergency room: 20%
- Hospital stay: 20% in-network; 40% out-of-network
- Prescription drugs: 20% if purchased from in-network pharmacy; 40% from out-of-network pharmacy
- Annual out-of-pocket maximum (the most you’ll spend for covered care each year before the plan starts paying all your costs): $4,000/individual or $6,400/family for in-network providers; $8,000/individual or $16,000/family for out-of-network providers
When you’re ready to enroll in Medicare
You are not eligible for the Health Savings Account when you are enrolled in Medicare, so you may not continue your enrollment in UC Health Savings Plan. if you are retired and enrolled in UC Health Savings Plan, you have a 31-day PIE to enroll in a new plan and complete the required UC form to assign your Medicare benefits when you turn 65.
Plan documents (2025)
Plan contacts
- UC Health Plans website
- Accolade Health Care Advocate: 866-406-1182
- Navitus: 833-837-4308
- Health Equity: 866-212-4729 24/7