HealthSavings+

See the plan comparison chart [PDF] for more coverage details.

Part health plan, part savings account, UC HealthSavings+ can add up to real value for you. The plan includes a yearly contribution from UC of either $750 for self-only coverage or $1,500 for family coverage into a Health Savings Account (HSA) for you to use for health care expenses.

The plan is administered by Blue Shield of California. Prescription drug coverage is also included through Navitus.

When you see the doctor for a service that is not preventive, you are responsible for 100% of the cost until you reach the deductible.

For medical and behavioral health services:

• Your provider sends a claim to Blue Shield of California. Blue Shield sends an Explanation of Benefits to you showing the full cost and the amount you’re responsible for paying. (In-network providers charge lower rates.)
• Your doctor sends you a bill.
• You pay the doctor using the money in your HSA or you can pay out of pocket.

At the pharmacy, you can pay with your HSA debit card or pay out of pocket. Covered medical and pharmacy expenses count toward the deductible.

You can also choose to receive care from out-of-network providers. However, your costs will be significantly higher, and you’ll have to file claims. See the plan comparison chart [PDF] for more details about your cost for out-of-network care. For help filing claims, log on to the Accolade member portal or call Accolade at (866) 406-1182.

If you prefer, you can file out-of-network medical and behavioral health claims directly with Blue Shield of California.

Preventive care helps catch health issues early or prevent them all together. It includes routine checkups, screenings, immunizations and exams for you and all covered family members. Preventive care is covered at 100% when you see an in-network provider. (Out-of-network preventive care is covered at 50% after the out-of-network deductible.) Learn more about covered preventive care services.

Diagnostic care is used when you have symptoms and your doctor needs to determine what’s wrong. The same tests may be used, but when they're done to diagnose a condition — like a mammogram for a breast lump or a colonoscopy for abdominal pain — they're covered according to your plan’s benefits and may include a deductible, copay or coinsurance.

Deductible

For all in-network services except preventive care, you first pay a deductible¹ of $2,500 (if you have self-only coverage) or $5,000 (if you have family coverage). There is a separate deductible for care from out-of-network providers: $4,000 (if you have self-only coverage) or $8,000 (if you have family coverage).

Cost for care (coinsurance)

After you meet the deductible, you pay 30% of the allowable cost for most covered medical and behavioral health services when you see in-network providers and use in-network pharmacies. For out-of-network providers, after your deductible is met, you pay 50% of the allowable cost plus any amount above that.

Out-of-pocket maximum

This limits the amount you’ll pay for covered services during the year to a maximum of $6,700 (self-only coverage) or $8,000 (family coverage), including the deductible. After you meet the out-of-pocket maximum, Blue Shield of California pays 100% for most covered medical services and Navitus pays for 100% of most prescription drugs, for the rest of the year. There is a separate out-of-pocket maximum for care from out-of-network providers: $13,400 (self-only coverage) or $16,000 (family coverage).

Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution

UC contributes up to $750 (self-only coverage) or up to $1,500 (family coverage) to your HSA every year you are enrolled in HealthSavings+. Use the money in your HSA to pay for health care or save it for the future. You can also contribute to the HSA on a pretax basis.² All of the money in your HSA is always yours to keep, even if you leave UC or change your health plan. (UC’s contributions for new hires are prorated based on date of hire.)

Learn more about the HSA.

A Health Savings Account (HSA) — available only to HealthSavings+ members — is a personal savings account designed to help you lower your out-of-pocket health care costs.

Each year you are enrolled in HealthSavings+, UC makes contributions to your account and you can contribute as well — up to the IRS maximum for each year. For 2026 the contribution limits are:

Under age 55

• Self-only coverage: You can contribute up to $3,650 (for a total of $4,400 including UC’s contribution)
• Family coverage: You can contribute $7,250 (for a total of $8,750 with UC’s contribution).4

Age 55 or older

• You can make an additional $1,000 "catch-up" contribution, over and above the limits shown above.

How contributions work

• Employees: Your HSA contributions are made on a pretax basis through payroll deductions, which can lower your tax bill. If you prefer an alternative method of payment, contact HealthEquity to make arrangements.
• Retirees: You can make post-tax contributions for as long as you are enrolled in the HealthSavings+ plan. Contact HealthEquity to arrange contributions.
• Covered dependents: Dependents covered under HealthSavings+ who want to establish their own HSA should contact HealthEquity. See IRS Publication 969 for eligibility requirements and rules for qualifying contributions.  

Contact HealthEquity online or by phone at (866) 212-4729.

Using your HSA

The HSA lets you pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses with tax-free dollars. You can use your HSA funds for qualified medical, behavioral health, dental and vision expenses — for yourself and eligible family members — now or in the future. 

Unlike a flexible spending account (FSA), the money you and UC contribute to your HSA is yours to keep forever, even if you leave UC. (Note: If you switch to a medical plan other than HealthSavings+, you can continue to use the balance in your HSA, but you can no longer make contributions. View the Health Savings Account FAQs [PDF].)

Examples of what you can use your HSA to pay for include:

• Deductibles
• Coinsurance
• Prescription drugs
• Over-the-counter medications without a prescription
• Menstrual products
• Acupuncture and chiropractic services

View Health Savings Account eligible expenses.

Learn more about the Health Savings Account

Get all the details about how your HSA works from HealthEquity.

4. UC contributes only once during the year, and the contribution amount is based on the family members enrolled in the HealthSavings+ plan as of January 1 of the current year. No UC contribution adjustments are made during the year if you enroll additional family members or drop family members from coverage. If your HealthSavings+ coverage begins anytime after January, UC’s annual HSA contribution for the year is prorated according to this schedule. (However, the HealthSavings+ deductible is not prorated.) UC’s HSA contributions are sent to HealthEquity as soon as you meet the HSA eligibility criteria — usually the second day of the month after you enroll in HealthSavings+.

You and your covered family members can use behavioral health benefits for sessions with counselors, psychologists or psychiatrists for mental health services and substance use treatment. If you need help finding a provider and booking and appointment, call Accolade at (866) 406-1182 Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–8 p.m. PT. You can also speak to a therapist or psychologist virtually through Accolade Care Telehealth and Virtual Visits.

If you change from one UC PPO plan to another during the year (outside of Open Enrollment) — for example, moving between UC Care and HealthSavings+, changing from family to self‑only coverage (or vice versa), or due to divorce, retirement, or another life event — your year‑to‑date deductible and out‑of‑pocket maximum amounts can transfer to your new plan or coverage level.

However, this transfer is not automatic. To request a transfer of accumulated amounts, contact Accolade at (866) 406‑1182, Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–8 p.m. PT.

For questions about medical coverage, claims, finding providers and more, start with Accolade. Call (866) 406-1182 (Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–8 p.m. PT) or visit the Accolade member portal.

For questions about prescription drug coverage and costs, call Navitus Customer Care at (833) 837-4308 or visit the Navitus member portal.

Register for a monthly Accolade webinar to learn how your PPO works and how Accolade can help.

Blue Shield of California is the claims administrator for UC faculty/staff PPO Plans. Blue Shield of California processes and reviews the medical and behavioral health claims submitted under the PPO plans. Navitus is an independent company providing pharmacy benefit management services on behalf of the University of California for the PPO plans. Accolade is an independent company providing benefits advocacy services on behalf of the University of California for the PPO plans. The content on this website provides highlights of your benefits under the UC non-Medicare PPO plans. The official plan documents and administrative practices will govern in any and all cases.