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An authorized referral is required prior to seeking medical services outside of Tang or your claims will be denied. Dental, vision, services provided in a hospital emergency room or urgent care clinic, prescriptions filled outside of UHS, international services, and some limited preventative and women's health visits do not require an authorized referral.
If the Tang Center provider is requesting for an outside service
The Tang center provider will submit the referral to the Student Health Insurance Office. The student will be notified within 5 business days via phone call and/or eTang secure messaging with the status of the referral.
If the outside provider is requesting for additional services
The specialist will need to complete the Medical Authorization Request Form. A referral determination will be faxed to the requesting provider within 5 business days. The student will be notified within 5 business days via phone call and/or eTang secure messaging with the status of the referral.
Choice of provider
Approve referrals are approved for specific provider of specialty. A provider may be recommended on the referral. However, the student can select another provider within the specialty.
The student should visit an Anthem Blue Cross network provider in order to receive the maximum benefits on the plan. To find an in-network provider, the student can call the customer service number on the back of their health insurance card or go to the Anthem Blue Cross website.
Expiration
Medical referrals are valid only for the semester they are authorized in. The expiration dates are as follows:
| Semester | Date |
| Fall 2017 |
December 31, 2017 |
| Spring 2018 |
July 31, 2018 |
| Fall 2018 |
December 31, 2018 |
More information about referrals
Referrals are limited to the service(s) authorized. Therefore, any services not listed on the approved referral requires an additional request. All services must be approved prior to the services being rendered.
Referrals for off-campus counseling
Students with an existing CAPS provider may contact their provider with the request for a SHIP referral and/or to obtain a list of referrals to community therapists or psychiatrists. Students without an existing CAPS clinician may call the CAPS front desk at (510) 642-9494 to request a SHIP referral. Students may then pick up a copy of their SHIP referral at the Student Health Insurance Office on the 3rd floor of the Tang Center to bring to their off-campus appointment. See our How to Get an Off-campus Referral video and our counseling referral page for more details.