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Blue Shield is here to help you |
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Blue Shield Members: Need help finding an in-network provider? Call the phone number on the back of your member card. |
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Blue Shield members who need emergency services should call 911 or seek care at the nearest emergency room (including emergency services at UC Health hospitals). |
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Blue Shield's Continuity of Care program helps eligible members stay with their current provider during this transition. Members can begin the application process 30 days prior to termination of the network. For guidelines and additional information, refer to Continuity of Care | Blue Shield of CA. |
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Brokers: Please reach out through Broker Connection: https://www.blueshieldca.com/en/broker/resources/contact-us |
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Employers: Please reach out through the Blue Shield Employer page: https://www.blueshieldca.com/en/employer/contact-us |
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Providers: Contact Blue Shield of California Provider Customer Service: (800) 541-6652 |
New update as of July 8, 2025
We are pleased to confirm that Blue Shield of California and UC Health today reached a new agreement.
Under the new agreement, UC Health will extend their contracts pending the completion of formal contract renewal documents and necessary Department of Managed Health Care approvals. This means our members can continue to access UC Health providers and UC Health providers will accept Blue Shield members as in-network as we work through these remaining details.
With the approval of the Department of Managed Health Care, Blue Shield is in the process of reassigning HMO members back to their UC Health primary care providers, effective July 10, 2025. Those members will not need to call Blue Shield to keep their UC Health primary care providers. HMO members can change their primary care provider at any time by calling the number on the back of their insurance card.
We are dedicated to ensuring members have access to affordable care and are pleased to be able to continue our partnership with UC Health.
New update as of June 30, 2025
Blue Shield of California and UC Health have agreed to extend negotiations for an additional 30 days, allowing Blue Shield members to continue to access UC Health as an in-network provider through August 9, 2025. We continue to negotiate with UC Health administrators in good faith to reach a new agreement.
New update as of June 16, 2025
Note: Blue Shield is currently accepted as in-network by UC Health. This means members are entitled to make appointments for care at in-network rates between now and August 9, 2025. Appointments made for future care after August 9, 2025 will be at out of network benefit levels unless an agreement is reached and will result in higher costs to members.
Despite months of negotiations, the University of California Health system administrators have decided to end its contract with Blue Shield of California on August 10, 2025, unless a new agreement is reached with higher reimbursement rates. It is our desire to reach an agreement that ensures members continue to have access to UC Health hospitals and providers at reasonable costs that are sustainably affordable for our customers. We will continue to negotiate with UC Health system administrators in good faith. All Blue Shield members can continue to access UC Health as an in-network provider through August 9, 2025, under the existing agreement.
If a new agreement is not reached our commitment is to work with each member to ensure they have uninterrupted access to care, including Continuity of Care options with their current care team or helping them find other in-network providers in their community. As a nonprofit health plan, Blue Shield of California remains committed to working with our network providers to offer our members and customers access to quality, affordable health care.
Original update from May 5, 2025
Blue Shield of California is negotiating in good faith with University of California (UC) Health and hopes to reach an agreement that ensures members continue to have access to UC Health hospitals and providers at reasonable cost and reimbursement rates that are sustainably affordable.
We are committed to working with our network providers to offer our members and customers quality, affordable healthcare coverage through our nonprofit health plan.
Members can continue to access UC Health through August 9, 2025, under the existing agreement. However, should UC Health leave Blue Shield’s network, the nonprofit health plan will ensure a smooth transition for our members to in-network participating providers, hospitals or medical facilities in their area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is being negotiated?
Our goal is to negotiate terms for a new agreement that allows us to continue offering members access to UC Health providers and hospitals without jeopardizing the long-term affordability of healthcare coverage in California.
Are all UC hospitals and providers currently out of network with Blue Shield?
No, UC Health remains in-network with Blue Shield. However, if negotiations are unsuccessful, UC Health hospitals, clinics and physicians will become out-of-network for Blue Shield members beginning August 10, 2025.
Will University of California Health hospitals' emergency services still be available?
Blue Shield members who need emergency services should call 911 or seek care at the nearest emergency room. Blue Shield will provide the full emergency care level of benefits for these services, including if emergency services are provided at a UC Health facility.
What should I do if I’m currently receiving care through University of California Health?
Starting August 10, 2025, UC Health hospitals and provider groups might not be in-network for Blue Shield members. However, we are working diligently to retain these providers and facilities.
Members will be informed about the negotiation results and guided to in-network providers if UC Health leaves the health plan’s network.
Blue Shield's Continuity of Care program helps eligible members stay with their current provider during this transition. Members can begin the application process 30 days prior to termination of the network. For guidelines and additional information, please refer to Continuity of Care | Blue Shield of CA.