Which UCSF Health care professionals and facilities are impacted?

UCSF Health hospitals at Mission Bay, Mt. Zion, Parnassus, and Oakland, along with our health care professionals, depend on this agreement with Blue Shield of California to stay in-network for you. UCSF Health Community Hospitals at Saint Francis and St. Mary’s are not affected by these negotiations and will remain in-network.

Why is this happening?

UCSF, along with University of California (UC) hospitals and physician groups, has been in negotiations with Aetna for several months. Unfortunately, we have been unable to reach a fair agreement and the current contract is expected to expire. We are a non-profit organization and we use reimbursements from Aetna to provide critical health care services for its members. Aetna’s negotiating position is difficult to understand, especially when health insurance companies are making billions in revenue while hospital systems across the country continue to struggle with major financial challenges.

Which Blue Shield of California health plans are affected by the negotiations?

If a new agreement is not in place by August 10, 2025, this change would affect Blue Shield California members across plan types, including: California Public Employees' Retirement System plans Plans offered by employers Plans from the Covered California marketplace All Medicare plans offered or administered by Blue Shield of California, including but not limited to Medicare Advantage plans

I have an Anthem Blue Cross health plan. Will my coverage be affected?

No, Anthem Blue Cross is a separate organization from Blue Shield of California. Anthem Blue Cross members are not impacted.

What does this mean for Blue Shield HMO Plan Participants with a Hill Physician Medical Group Primary Care Physician or Specialist?

Visits to UCSF Medical Group and UCSF Bay Children's Physicians/UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians (both PCPs and specialists) will remain in-network but most services at UCSF Medical Center and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in Oakland and San Francisco will be deemed out-of-network by Blue Shield.

I have a Blue Shield of California PPO plan. What does this mean for me?

You can still see your doctor and get care at UCSF Health. We continue to do our part to negotiate in good faith in hopes of avoiding a disruption in your health care and potentially higher out-of-network financial responsibility, which could occur if a new agreement is not reached by August 10, 2025. If your PPO plan includes out-of-network benefits, you can still receive care at UCSF; however, your out-of-pocket costs will likely be higher. Not all PPO plans offer out-of-network benefits—if your plan does not, any care you receive at UCSF after August 9, 2025, will not be covered. In that case, you would be considered a self-pay patient and may qualify for our self-pay program, which offers various discount and payment plan options. We recommend contacting Blue Shield to review the details specific to your plan and determine if you are eligible for Continuity of Care .

UCSF and Blue Shield of California Reach Agreement

Q: What is happening?

UC Health is continuing negotiations for a new agreement to keep our health care facilities and professionals "in network" with Blue Shield of California health plans and preserve access to care for millions of Californians. If a new agreement is not reached by August 9, 2025, UCSF Health's care facilities and providers; UCSF Medical Center, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals San Francisco and Oakland, UCSF Medical Group, and UCSF Benioff Children's Physicians, will no longer be "in network" with Blue Shield of California starting on August 10, 2025. For now, nothing is changing as we continue to try to reach a fair agreement to preserve Blue Shield of California members' access to UCSF Health care.

Published July 2025

We’re pleased to share that Blue Shield of California and the University of California—including UCSF Health—have reached a new agreement.

This means patients with Blue Shield health insurance can continue receiving care from UCSF Health, including UCSF Medical Center, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, UCSF Medical Group, and UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians, without interruption.

We’re grateful to have reached an equitable agreement that protects our ability to provide high-quality care and preserves uninterrupted access for Blue Shield members.

In the coming weeks, Blue Shield HMO members may receive communication directly from Blue Shield with additional details or updated member information. PPO members should not need to take any action.

If you have questions, please contact our referral center at (888) 689-8273 or [email protected].

UCSF and Blue Shield of California Reach Agreement

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