Navigating Vision Insurance Options at UCLA

Understanding vision insurance plans is essential for UCLA students, employees, and anyone seeking care at UCLA Health. This article provides a comprehensive overview of vision insurance options, including UC-sponsored plans, coverage for students, and resources for finding in-network providers.

Vision Coverage as Part of Your UC Benefits

The University of California provides a comprehensive benefits package to its employees and their families, which includes various health care and insurance options. These options are designed to meet the diverse needs of the UC community. UC-sponsored medical, dental, and vision plans do not have pre-existing condition clauses, making them accessible to all eligible individuals. The Your Group Insurance Plans booklet provides a summary of the UC-sponsored benefit plans available and covers plan options, plan coverage and enrollment. Subject to plan amendments, the benefits information in the Your Group Insurance Plans is effective January 1st through December 31st of each year.

UC SHIP Vision Coverage

For students, vision coverage is often included as part of the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP). UC SHIP vision coverage is provided through Anthem Blue View Vision Insight. This plan offers benefits for eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses. To maximize your coverage, it's best to seek care from a provider within the Anthem Blue View Vision Insight network, as UC SHIP covers a greater portion of your fees when you do so.

Finding In-Network Providers

To locate an in-network Blue View Vision Insight provider, follow these steps:

Select "Find Care" at the top of the Provider Finder page.
Select "Guests," unless you have already registered with Anthem.
Scroll down to "What type of care are you searching for?" and select "Vision."
Scroll down to "What state do you want to search with?" and select "California."
Scroll down to "What type of plan do you want to search with?" and select "Vision."
Scroll down to "Select a plan/network," choose "Blue View Vision Insight" in the drop-down menu, and then click "Continue."

U See LA Optometry: Your On-Campus Provider

U See LA Optometry, located in Ackerman Union B-Level, is a convenient option for UCLA students seeking vision care. They offer comprehensive eye exams and a wide selection of eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses.

Appointment Scheduling: (310) 267-4772

U See LA Optometry offers several benefits, including:

Comprehensive eye exams
A selection of 700+ eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses
Discounted extra pairs of glasses (40% for complete pair after first pair purchase)
Discounted eyeglasses lens treatments which include custom sun colors, blue light protection, anti-reflective coatings and transition lenses which get dark outside.
Free glasses cleanings, adjustments and repairs.

Understanding Costs and Benefits

It's important to understand the costs associated with vision care and the benefits offered by your plan. For example, with UC SHIP:

The contact lens fitting and evaluation is an additional $55 to $89 on top of the $10 exam copay, depending on the contact lenses you and doctor will decide on.
Retinal imaging may incur an extra fee.

UCSHIP Waivers

All registered students are automatically enrolled in UCSHIP. However, if you have comparable insurance coverage, you can submit a request to waive enrollment. Keep in mind the following:

A new waiver application must be submitted each academic year.
Approved waivers are valid only for the academic year in which they are approved.

For information about the waiver process, including academic calendars, waiver criteria, and the waiver application link, refer to the UCSHIP Waivers resources.

BruinCare: Access to Ashe Center Services

Even if you waive UCSHIP, you can still access certain services at The Ashe Center through the BruinCare program. This program provides prepaid access to select services, offering convenience and a central location for your medical needs.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Health Insurance Options Beyond Vision

While this article focuses on vision insurance, it's important to remember that UCLA Health accepts a wide range of health insurance plans for medical care at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center. These plans can be purchased through an agent, directly from an insurance company, or through Covered California, the state's official health insurance marketplace. Blue Shield offers several plans through the exchange that may cover care at UCLA Health.

Health Insurance for Specific Needs

UCLA Health also works with health plans to provide specialized care for specific needs, such as organ and stem cell transplants and behavioral health services.

Transplants

Health plans often designate medical centers of excellence for organ and stem cell transplants. UCLA Health has relationships with the following organizations:

Aetna - Institute of Excellence
Anthem Blue Cross - Centers of Medical Excellence
Blue Shield of California
Cigna LifeSOURCE
Health Net of California
INTERLINK
LifeTrac
Optum Transplant Centers of Excellence (formerly United Resource Network)

Behavioral Health

Not all health plans provide coverage for mental health and other behavioral health needs. It's essential to check your plan details to ensure you have the coverage you need.

Important Considerations

Premium rates: Premium rates may change upon renewal and can be adjusted for the entire group or a specific class. A class is defined in the group policy.
Benefits: Benefits are subject to change upon agreement between the carrier and the participating organization.
Medicare Advantage Plan: The UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO) requires members to use plan providers except in emergency or urgent care situations. If a member obtains care from an out-of-network provider without prior approval, neither Medicare nor UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan will be responsible for the costs.

Resources and Contact Information

U See LA Optometry: (310) 267-4772
Blue Shield: 888-626-6780
UCLA Health Medicare Advantage Plan Member Services: 1-833-627-8252 (833-MAP-UCLA) (TTY 711). Hours are 8am - 8pm PT, Monday - Friday, April 1 through September 30, except on all federal holidays.
The Ashe Center Insurance Window: If the 4th Floor Insurance Window is closed, students can send secure messages through MyStudentChart or use the Contact Us Insurance inbox.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

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