Insurance Coverage and Authorization

UCSF Health has contracts with many health insurance companies - ranging from preferred provider organizations (PPOs) to health maintenance organizations (HMOs) - to provide specialized inpatient and outpatient care.

Medical Services

Individuals between the ages of 12 and 25 years can be seen for an initial medical evaluation and nutrition consultation and receive ongoing medical monitoring within our Eating Disorders Program (EDP) with an appropriate referral if they have health insurance or elect to self-pay (out-of-pocket).

  • Health Plans that do not require prior authorization: PPO, Children First Medical Group (e.g., Alameda Alliance Medi-Cal, San Francisco, and San Mateo County Health Plans), and University of California (UC) Care.
  • Health Plans that may require prior authorization: HMO (always, unless it’s a UC Plan), POS, EPO, IPA, County Health Plans, and other public or Medi-Cal insurances.
  • UCSF Health is not contracted with Kaiser Permanente (HMO); however, their organization will occasionally refer out and authorize treatment with our EDP.

Mental Health Services

  • Health plans that UCSF Psychiatry is contracted with*: Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California (if mental health benefits are administered by Magellan), Cigna, United Behavioral Health, and Managed Health Net.
  • Health Plans that Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital is contracted with: SF Medi-Cal
  • Health Plans that may provide coverage with prior authorization: Aetna, Tri-Care, Western Health Advantage.
  • Health Plans that UCSF Psychiatry is not contracted with: Kaiser, Medi-Cal, County Health Plans, and other public insurance.

Our program coordinator can provide you with a courtesy financial consultation to review your eligibility and benefits and the estimated costs for specific services. However, if you have any additional questions or concerns about your family's policy or the information relayed by our team, please contact your insurance company directly by locating the number listed for members on the back of your coverage card.