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UCLA Counseling and Psychological Center

Updates on Services for Fall Quarter 2023

Dear Bruins and Community,

As we enter into Fall Quarter 2023, CAPS remains committed to providing both in person and tele-health services to students. Please see below for the most updated information to help us serve your needs.

CAPS Updates for Fall 2023

CAPS will operate both in person and via telehealth for Fall 2023.

CAPS is located in John Wooden Center West and business hours are Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

**CAPS will operate in compliance with UCLA COVID policy and guidance. Students must be compliant with COVID vaccine policy for in-person services. Masking is not required but strongly recommended.

Eligibility and Fees

Regardless of insurance plan or current residence, all registered UCLA students are eligible for same-day clinical consultation, help with coordination of mental health care and support, as well as referral and treatment recommendations.

To access care, students should begin by calling CAPS at (310) 825-0768 to schedule a telehealth/phone triage appointment Monday through Thursday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Students will be evaluated in a timely triage or "brief screen" appointment (usually 15-20 minutes), provided with treatment recommendations and usually follow up mental health care at CAPS or other appropriate referrals when indicated.

Students who have had CAPS services in the past, but have not had an appointment in more than a quarter should also reinitiate treatment by calling for a telehealth brief screen appointment as well.

Students in crisis should access the CAPS crisis line at (310) 825-0768 24/7

Session Guidelines

CAPS session guidelines are as follows: Four sessions for all registered and eligible UCLA students, regardless of University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UCSHIP) coverage, and four additional sessions (eight sessions total) for those with UCSHIP or as clinically indicated. CAPS will continue to monitor and adjust session guidelines to meet demand, reduce wait times and provide quality short-term care.

Health Insurance

Health insurance enrollment is required for all students, as we want to ensure that all students have the coverage they need for when they may need it. UCSHIP is a systemwide plan providing enhanced health, mental health, dental and vision benefits to all enrolled students. Each year the majority of students opt for this comprehensive insurance option.

UCSHIPis automatically included as part of students' registration fees each term unless students complete the insurance waiver form stating they have private insurance and meets all of UCLA's criteria.

UCSHIP Waiver: When a student waives UCSHIP a different fee structure applies to visits and services at both the Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center and CAPS.

Financial Aid and UCSHIP: UCSHIP premium is often covered as part of UCLA’s financial aid package, but waiving UCSHIP means these funds may be not be released or available for other use

UCSHIP off-campus/Out of State:UCSHIP is part of the Anthem network. This means students are covered by Anthem Blue Cross and Delta Dental, which offer a network of providers across the country. If a student lives in the U.S. but is not coming to campus in the fall, the Ashe Center and CAPS will coordinate referrals and help navigate the health care system to get the care needed near home in a safe and timely way. Note that referrals are not required for urgent care or emergency room visits.

UCSHIP Out of Country:UCSHIP also provides worldwide coverage. Whether traveling or living outside the U.S., students and dependents are covered under UCSHIP can use the BlueCard Worldwide program. Visit the Ashe website for details: https://www.studenthealth.ucla.edu/insurance/benefits/international-travelers

UC Mental Health Outpatient Costs: UCSHIP/Anthem outpatient therapy/behavioral care now is provided with a $0 co-pay. Students may now access therapy or psychiatry outpatient services for $0/copay. More information about insurance copays is available.

Executive Director Nicole Green smiling at the camera wearing a purple shirt in front of a grey background

Additional Support for Students

Additional CAPS Services

Group Therapy: CAPS will continue to offer a robust group-therapy program via telehealth platform and in person in Fall 2023. The full range of Group therapy services will be available to non-SHIP and SHIP students. Please check our CAPS website for Group Offerings

Psychiatry Services: CAPS will continue to offer psychiatry services to in-state SHIP students. Students without SHIP will be offered psychiatry services only in urgent situations for full-fee.

“Drop In” Services: CAPS continues to offer both in person and telehealth “drop-in” services in some satellite spaces, including the UCLA LGBTQ Center, Transfer Center, Undocumented Student Program, Samueli Engineering, the School of Law and Anderson School of Management. These services allow students to “drop in” to speak to a clinician for consultation and/or non-clinical supportive care. Please refer to the CAPS website or call CAPS for more information on these

UCSHIP Behavioral Health Services (BHS) continues to be a longer-term referral for students with UCSHIP insurance who are currently in California. A referral is needed from CAPS to access BHS services

Live Health Online. Additional telehealth treatment options, including individual therapy and medication management, are available for students with and Without SHIP insurance through the Anthem teletherapy platform. This service is available for a $0 copay for all students with UCSHIP. In addition, CAPS fully cover costs for non-UCSHIP studentswho would like to take advantage of this service.

Resilience in Your Student Experience (RISE) Center continues to provide resilience, mental health and wellbeing support through online and remote workshops, training, healing spaces, education and outreach services.

Out-of-State Care for Students

In-State Students: Students residing in California are also eligible for a triage assessment with a CAPS clinician, short-term individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatry services at CAPS, when clinically appropriate. Students needing longer term or more specialized care will be provided with referrals.

Out-of-State Students: Due to state law and California Board of Psychology and Board of Behavioral Sciences restrictions, students using private insurance plans and residing outside of California are eligible only for clinical coordination and referral to a provider in their local area. Students with UCSHIP have access to the robust national Anthem network to meet their treatment needs.

Nicole Green, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
Campus Assault Resources & Education (CARE) Program
Co-Chair, Semel HCI Mindwell Pod
Pronouns: She/Her