SCOI & UCLA Health Alliance - FAQs: Patients

Frequently Asked Questions for Patients

When will the strategic alliance between SCOI and UCLA Health take place?

The alliance is in effect now, but SCOI will be utilizing UCLA Health’s CareConnect electronic health record and other functions planned as part of the partnership by June 20, 2019.

Is SCOI merging with UCLA Health?

Neither organization is acquiring the other. This alignment is strictly two great healthcare organizations collaborating to provide greater access to even better care. SCOI will maintain its current management structure as well as its name, branding, etc.

How will this alliance benefit current and future respective patients?

SCOI is a highly regarded medical group with expertise in a wide range of orthopedic specialties. Its presence in many communities where UCLA Health has opened primary and specialty care practices provides patients with expanded treatment options close to where they live or work. UCLA Health, in turn, offers a vast network of resources and tertiary and quaternary services that may benefit SCOI patients.

In addition to its reputation for outstanding orthopedic care, SCOI shares strong teaching and research commitments with UCLA Health. The alliance provides opportunities to advance both organizations’ missions through the sharing of patients, best practices, and quality measures.

Which plans does UCLA Health accept?

In addition to self-pay patients, UCLA works with many payors, including indemnity plans, Medicare fee-for-service, PPO, and various HMO products. A list of major plans accepted by UCLA Health is available at uclahealth.org/healthplans. Please call us at 1-800-UCLA-MD1 (1-800-825-2631) if you have any questions or concerns about whether your insurance is accepted.

I am an HMO member but not with UCLA Medical Group. Can I make an appointment to be seen by a SCOI physician?

If you are covered by an HMO, you will need to get an authorization from your medical group to be referred to a SCOI physician. Your medical group can fax the referral authorization to the referral team at (818) 901-4570.

Will I have out-of-pocket expenses for care provided by SCOI physicians, and how will I be billed for those services?

You may have some out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance amounts, for services provided by SCOI physicians. These expenses will be based on your health plan benefits. You may receive more than one statement, depending on the type of service provided to you. Charges for care provided by your SCOI physicians will appear on a UCLA Health patient statement. The statement will clearly show the SCOI location and the SCOI physician that provided services. Should you have any questions regarding your bill from UCLA Health, please call (310) 301-8860 and a patient billing representative will assist you.

Anesthesia services and facility charges for procedures performed in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center will be billed to you separately by the anesthesia provider and/or the hospital or surgery center. UCLA Health does not handle charges for these services. Call the number on your anesthesia and facility statements if you have questions about those charges.

**Patients may still receive a statement or bill from SCOI for SCOI physician services that were provided before the transition date of June 20, 2019.**

Will SCOI clinics still accept the same form of payment for services?

SCOI clinic sites will no longer accept CareCredit as payment for services. SCOI’s Westlake, Simi Valley, Porter Ranch, and Beverly Hills clinic sites will no longer accept cash. Payment may be made at these sites by credit/debit card or check.