Patients who get their health care in San Francisco and are members of a health maintenance organization (HMO) or point of service (POS) insurance plan should be aware of UCSF's affiliation with Hill Physicians Medical Group. Find answers to frequently asked questions below, or contact your insurance carrier, your doctor or your employer's benefits office for more information.
FAQ: UCSF and Hill Physicians
- How can I ensure I have access to UCSF specialists?
- Can I switch medical groups if I become sick and want to see a UCSF specialist?
- Can my family members belong to different medical groups?
- What if I change HMO plans during open enrollment?
- Can I access UCSF doctors more easily if I switch from an HMO to a preferred provider organization (PPO)?
- When is the deadline for choosing my medical group?
- What is Hill Physicians Medical Group?
How can I ensure I have access to UCSF specialists?
If you're a member of an HMO or POS plan (including Medicare HMO plans and excluding Kaiser Permanente) and get your health care in San Francisco, you can ensure access to UCSF by choosing a primary care doctor who is a member of Hill Physicians Medical Group in San Francisco. If you choose a primary care doctor with another medical group, you will likely need prior authorization to see a UCSF specialist.
Please note, some primary care doctors are members of both Hill Physicians and other medical groups, but you must choose Hill Physicians as your medical group to obtain unrestricted access to UCSF.
For more information about your situation, talk to your doctor, your insurance carrier or your employer's benefits office. Use online resources such as your health plan's website and www.HillPhysicians.com/UCSF. Or call UCSF at (888) 689-8273 and a representative will answer your questions.
Can I switch medical groups if I become sick and want to see a UCSF specialist?
Check with your insurance plan carrier or employer's benefits office to determine your options. Depending on your health plan, you may be able to switch to a Hill Physicians primary care doctor after open enrollment.
If your plan allows you to switch medical groups, it may take up to 45 days to make the change. Then, once the change is made, you must choose and see a new primary care doctor before he or she can refer you to a UCSF specialist.
Can my family members belong to different medical groups?
Yes, most HMO and POS plans allow you to choose a different medical group for different members of your family as long as the different medical groups are included in your plan's provider network. Please check with your insurance plan or your employer's benefits office to confirm.
What if I change HMO plans during open enrollment?
If you change HMO or POS plans, make sure to choose a primary care doctor from Hill Physicians Medical Group in San Francisco if you want to continue receiving care at UCSF. Contact your health plan for more information.
Can I access UCSF doctors more easily if I switch from an HMO or POS to a preferred provider organization (PPO)?
Most PPOs allow you to schedule consultations with specialists, including those at UCSF, without prior authorization. Most San Francisco doctors can refer you to UCSF specialists if you're a member of a PPO plan. However, co-pays, deductibles and premiums for a PPO may vary considerably from an HMO.
When is the deadline for choosing my medical group?
Contact your employer's benefits office or your health insurance carrier to find out the timing and procedures for open enrollment or for changing medical groups.
What is Hill Physicians Medical Group?
Hill Physicians is the largest medical group of independent physicians in Northern California. Hill Physicians is affiliated with UCSF as well as Dignity Health Care, formerly Catholic Healthcare West, a hospital network that includes Saint Mary's Medical Center and Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. For more information about Hill Physicians Medical Group, visit www.HillPhysicians.com.
