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Health Alerts

Temporary Notice from Anthem Blue Cross 1/10/2025

We’re making temporary changes to health plan benefits to provide relief and ensure healthcare access for our members who live in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in California and are impacted by the Palisades wildfire and windstorm conditions. The changes are in effect January 7 through February 5, 2025.

The changes also apply to emergency responders who have been activated to the impacted area by their state or local agency, but who do not live in the impacted area.

For assistance during this emergency, please call us at 833-285-4030

We are here to help make sure you have access to the healthcare you need. We can help with finding available doctors, refilling prescription drugs, and other health plan questions. We’re available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT.

Receiving care during the emergency

  • You can receive care from any doctor or hospital, even if they are not in your plan’s network. We will cover the claims as if they are in your plan’s network.
  • If your doctor’s office or healthcare facility is closed because of the emergency, or if you are unable to travel there, call us at 833-285-4030. We can help you find another doctor.
  • If you’re in a care management program and need to reach them, call 833-285-4030.

Medical equipment that is lost or damaged

  • We can help you replace your equipment (also called durable medical equipment or DME). Call us at 833-285-4030.

Eyeglasses or contact lenses that are lost or damaged

  • We can help you replace your eyeglasses or contact lenses. Call us at 833-285-4030.

Preapprovals or referrals

  • You have more time to request them. There won’t be any late fees. Call 833-285-4030 if you need an extension.

Filing a claim

  • You and your doctors have more time to file claims. Call us at 833-285-4030 if you need an extension.

Mental health support

  • Anthem’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers mental health support and resources to help with legal and financial concerns, dependent-care needs, and other life challenges. Call the 24/7 EAP crisis line at 877-208-8240.
  • Our Anthem website also offers resources for mental health support.
  • Crisis support is available if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or behavior, is experiencing emotional distress, or is behaving in a way that could harm others. Call 988 or go to 988lifeline.org to reach the confidential Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24/7.

The timing and locations for these relaxed guidelines may change based on conditions. Please check back here for updates: www.anthem.com/ca/blog/cawildfire

These changes are for impacted members who reside in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in California and who have Anthem group health plans through their employers, or Anthem individual and family plans. They do not apply to Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans, or fully insured trust funds. These plans have their own guidelines.

If you need additional support, please call us at 833-285-4030.


Tuberculosis Exposure 9/6/2024

UCSD SHS was notified by the San Diego County Public Health Department about a case of active tuberculosis on campus. Any student that was exposed to the case should have received a notification through their MyStudentChart. Students can ask questions via MyStudentChart through AskANurse or they can leave a voicemail message at (858) 822-2386.

More information can be found on Environment, Health & Safety's Tuberculosis Exposure website.


Support Resources 5/14/24

Mental Health Emergencies

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and in need of immediate assistance, please contact CAPS at (858) 534-3755. Crisis services are available 24/7; if after business hours, select option 2.

The Triton CORE team is dedicated to supporting students experiencing an on-campus behavioral health crisis through a trauma-informed and multicultural lens. To access Triton CORE mobile services, if experiencing a mental health challenge, substance use related crisis, or any other form of distress, please call UCPD dispatch at (858) 534-HELP and ask for Triton CORE.

24/7 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call 988

For life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.

CAPS Counseling Services

CAPS provides free and confidential brief individual and group therapy to registered UCSD students. The first step to accessing these counseling services is our initial 15-20 minute phone consultation, during which a mental health counselor will help students get connected with the most fitting resources—including an initial evaluation by a CAPS therapist, CAPS resources, campus resources, or a referral to an off campus provider using your health insurance.

Currently, the average wait time for the first available initial phone consultation is 2 days, and for a counseling initial evaluation is 5 days. Please note that these are the average wait times that take into account student preference and schedules—there are often same day appointments available!

Call CAPS at (858) 534-3755 to schedule your initial phone consultation.

Medical Care

Students who are unable to come on campus can make an appointment for a virtual medical care visit at Student Health Services by calling (858) 534-3300 or their assigned primary care group to schedule a video visit.

The medical care students receive is confidential, with very few exceptions for public health and safety that apply to all health care providers.

Students who do not have UC SHIP can utilize Live Health Online for telehealth visits (fees may apply).

Outside Resources

Togetherall

Togetherall is a safe, online mental health community where UC San Diego students can anonymously connect with others who understand what they're going through. Whether you want to get advice, tips, or just need someone to listen, Togetherall is available 24/7.

Headspace

Headspace is a popular mindfulness app that can be a helpful tool to manage your stress and anxiety. All tools are FREE, anonymous, and exclusively available to UC San Diego students. You don’t have to be a CAPS client to sign up. Sign up using your UCSD email address.


Mpox (monkeypox)

Please review our MPX page to learn more.


Reporting Outside Positive COVID-19 Tests

Students who’ve tested positive using an at home rapid antigen test or outside of UC San Diego, should send results to SHS COVID Team through MyStudentChart (Menu>Communication>COVID Request). Employees should send results through MyChart. More info is available on the COVID-19 Campus Resources and Guidelines website.


Need help?

If you need any assistance, send a MyStudentChart message to Ask-A-Nurse.