How to Obtain a Behavioral Health Provider External to UC San Diego

Last Updated: October 7, 2021 1:00:36 PM PDT

Find out who to contact for information and questions about your behavioral health benefits external to UC San Diego Faculty and Staff Assistance Program.

UC Behavioral Health Benefits

UC’s medical coverage includes behavioral health benefits for mental health services and substance abuse treatment. All UC health plans offer phone and/or video options for getting behavioral health advice and care.

Behavioral health and substance abuse coverage are provided by:

Managed Health Network (MHN — a Health Net company) for employees and retirees enrolled in UC Blue & Gold HMO
Optum and Kaiser for employees and retirees enrolled in Kaiser
Anthem Blue Cross for employees and retirees enrolled in CORE, UC CARE, and UC Health Savings Plan (HSP)*

You do not need a referral from your primary care provider to see a behavioral health provider, but some services require preauthorization. For information about your benefits and help finding a provider:

MHN — Call 800-663-9355
Optum — Call 888-440-8225
Kaiser (Southern California) — Call your local clinic or 800-900-3277 after hours
Kaiser (Northern California) — Call your local clinic or 800-464-4000 after hours

* How behavioral health benefits work for CORE, UC Care, and UC Health Savings Plan

CORE, UC Care and UC Health Savings Plan (HSP) members have access to Anthem in-network providers.
UC Care and UC HSP members also have access to out-of-network providers. If you choose to see an out-of-network provider, your costs will be higher and you may need to pay your provider directly for services and submit a claim for reimbursement.
Some services require preauthorization. For information about your benefits and help finding an in-network provider, call Anthem at 844-437-0486.

Faculty and Staff Assistance Programs

Each campus, medical center, and national laboratory within the University of California administers its own Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (sometimes called an Employee Assistance Program). Assistance programs offer free, confidential resources for emotional health — with easy access to short-term counseling, assessment, and referral. For more information on programs available, use the contacts below.

UC San Diego Campus

Faculty & Staff Assistance Program
(858) 534-5523

UC San Diego Health

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Medical Center
Contact UBH EAP at (866) 808-6205

For additional information and questions about benefits for UC San Diego Health Sciences/UC San Diego Health System employees, please contact the UC San Diego Health Human Resources Services team at the protected employee portal or call 1-619-543-3200.

For more information, contact the FSAP staff, (858) 534-5523.