Health Care Facilitator Program

Confidential Assistance for UC Merced Health Plan Members

Helping You Make Full Use of Your Health Benefits

The Health Care Facilitator (HCF) is a confidential service designed to help you understand and obtain the full benefits and services available from your UC-sponsored health plans. 

Who does the Health Care Facilitator serve?

·        Active faculty and staff

·        Retirees, emeritus and annuitants

·        Enrolled family members and dependents

·        Surviving spouses and beneficiaries

How can the Health Care Facilitator help you make full use of your benefits?

The Health Care Facilitator program helps you become more actively involved with your health care by providing you with:

·        Information to help members understand their UC medical plan coverage.

·        Education on the use of plan benefits and how they coordinate with Medicare (where applicable).

The Health Care Facilitator may also assist you by:

·        Intervening to resolve problems of coverage, access and administrative processes,

·        Assisting you for effective and timely resolutions to your health coverage or service problems,

·        Referring problems concerning contract interpretation and coverage disputes of the Office of the President.

The Health Care Facilitator also serves the future needs of members by collecting aggregate data that can be used to improve health plan coverage, processes and communications.

The Health Care Facilitator’s services are confidential.

When should you call the Health Care Facilitator?

If you need help resolving a health plan issue, call the Health Care Facilitator for individual guidance, intervention and help with problem resolution.

Here a few things you can do to resolve a simple problem:

·        Contact your doctor’s Office.  Your most important relationship is the one you have with your doctor and other health care providers.  Talk openly with your doctor about your concerns, and ask for help in resolving any care of service issues that arise.

·        If you are in an HMO, contact your medical group.  Most medical groups have patient assistance departments that can help you find a doctor, work out billing problems or obtain referrals.

·        Call your health plan.  A customer service representative at your health plan can explain the plan’s policies and procedures.

Health Care Facilitation Staff

Becky Jo Akers

Health Care Facilitator

Phone:  (209) 228-2348

Michelle Beckman

Health Care Facilitator Assistant

Phone:  (209) 228-4584

FAX: (209) 228-8586