Kaiser Permanente and the U.S. Department of Labor recently reached a settlement related to federal mental health parity laws. These laws require health plans to provide the same level of coverage for mental health and substance use disorder care as they do for physical health services.

This settlement does not involve current Kaiser Permanente care practices or issues.

What Kaiser Members Should Know:

• Eligible California members may qualify for reimbursement if they attempted to access in‑network mental health or substance use disorder services between January 2021 and September 2024 and paid out‑of‑pocket for their care.
• Kaiser has since made meaningful improvements to mental health access, including consistently meeting California’s required appointment timeframes — within 48 hours for urgent care and within 10 business days for nonurgent care.

Reimbursement Information:
A toll‑free hotline and claims website is available for current and former California Kaiser members.

Members can verify eligibility by visiting:
OutofNetworkHealthClaims.com.

Women’s Health Spotlight: Featured Webinar

Healthy Aging Through Every Stage: From Perimenopause to Post‑Menopause

Menopause is a natural phase of life, and having clear, actionable information can help members feel more confident and prepared. Members can join this virtual workshop to understand each stage, from perimenopause through post-menopause, and learn what support is available through their CalVEBA benefits.

This session will be led by Dr. Jasmine Pedroso, a board-certified OB‑GYN, offering expert clinical insight and guidance.

What Members Will Learn:

• What to expect at every stage of the menopause journey
• Common symptoms and related conditions, including sleep changes, mood shifts, heart health, and pelvic‑floor concerns
• Evidence‑based lifestyle and dietary recommendations for healthy aging
• An overview from Kindbody, Kaiser Permanente, and the CalVEBA Team highlighting available women’s health and healthy‑aging resources

Webinar Details:
Thursday, March 26 | 4 pm – 5 pm | Virtual via Teams

Register Now.

New Spring Programming Available:

Virtual Workshop: Food and Mood

Members will discover how what they eat can influence how they feel. This virtual workshop explains how the gut and the brain communicate and why that connection matters for mood, creativity, and clear thinking.

What Members Will Learn:

• How the gut influences mood and focus
• Key nutrients and plant‑based foods that support steady energy and mental clarity
• Simple nutrition strategies that nourish a healthy gut and overall well‑being
• How to create a personal action plan they can begin using right away

Webinar Details:
Thursday, March 26 | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Virtual via Zoom

Register Now.

Metabolic Reset

The Metabolic Reset program blends acupuncture, movement, nutrition awareness, and holistic acupuncture to support long‑term wellness. The virtual introduction sessions help members learn how the program can improve energy, digestion, and daily habits.

Virtual Intro Sessions: Wednesday, March 11 or March 25 | 4 pm – 5 pm

Register Now

New: Bloom Step & Movement Challenge

Kick off spring with more movement and motivation! This challenge is open to CalVEBA members and their family and friends, encouraging everyone to stay active and track their progress together throughout April.

Participants can log their daily steps, join teams for friendly competition, and build sustainable movement habits with a chance to win San Diego Bay Bridge Run tickets.

Registration Opens: March 16

Challenge Dates: April 1 – April 30

Download the flyer to share with your staff.

Quick Reads to Help Members Feel Their Best at Every Age

Nutrition Tips for Healthy Aging

Members can explore simple ideas for balanced meals, key nutrients, and everyday choices that support energy, strength, and overall well‑being as their health needs change over time.

Read More.

Navigating Hormonal Transitions

Members can learn how testosterone naturally shifts over time, what signs to look for, and how supportive habits can help maintain balance and well‑being. This blog also shares when it may be helpful to connect with a doctor.

Read More.

Fertility After 35: Your Questions, Answered

Members considering pregnancy now or in the future can learn how fertility naturally changes with age, along with supportive habits and helpful guidance to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

Read More.

For general eligibility questions or help finding an in-network mental health professional, contact The Advocacy Team at VEBAOnline.com/Contact/ or call 888-276-0250.

Therapy Through CalVEBA

Short-term support for mental health needs is also available through CalVEBA. A lifeline to you during moments of urgency, a licensed therapist can serve as your bridge between the professional care you need now, and the care provided by your health plan benefits. Therapy appointments are available virtually and in-person at the Kearny Mesa Resource Center.

Book an appointment here.

Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (EWS)

In partnership with Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (EWS), Dedicated Consultants are available virtually and in-person at the Carlsbad, Chula Vista, and Kearny Mesa Resource Centers. Get support with issues like stress, relationship conflicts, work-life balance, communication strategies, and more.

To explore the benefits of this service, watch this program overview video. Want to get started? Visit the Optum Employee Portal to make an account and schedule an appointment.

Available for CalVEBA members and their dependents age 18+.

For additional Optum EWS resources, visit LiveAndWorkWell.com (access code: VEBA). Please note that you may experience longer wait times with this method.

Looking for alternative therapy appointments? Check out these options available:

• CalVEBA members enrolled in a Kaiser plan: For care or treatment of a mental health concern, call Kaiser Permanente at 800-464-4000 (8 am – 5:30 pm, Monday – Friday). No referral needed.
• CalVEBA members enrolled in a UHC plan: Sign in to your member account or call the number on your member ID card to determine eligibility for specific mental health care services.
• San Diego CalVEBA members enrolled in an Optum plan: Request a telehealth individual or group therapy appointment through Mindpath Health (formerly Psychiatric Centers at San Diego). Here’s how to access this benefit:
  • Get an authorization code: Call Optum at 888-625-4809.
  • Schedule your appointment: Call 619-528-4600 with your authorization code.

Mental Well-Being Benefits and Services

Inform your members about the range of mental well-being services and programs available to them, both virtually and in person, on our dedicated page. They can explore immediate support options, connections to in-network therapists, and short-term therapy solutions designed to help them navigate life’s challenges.

The California Schools VEBA Advocacy Team

What can The Advocacy Team help with?

• Claims Issues
• Authorization Issues
• Benefit Questions
• Access & Quality of Care Issues
• Prescription Issues

How do I contact?

• Call The Advocacy Team Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm at 888-276-0250 (Option 2).
• Submit an online contact form at VebaOnline.com/Contact/ to submit a request.
  • Important note: For urgent requests, please click the “Urgent” box located on the contact form. Inquiries typically receive a response within one business day of receipt.
• Districts or Employers may email The Advocacy Team at [email protected].
  • Please note: when inquiring on behalf of a CalVEBA member, include the member’s name, date of birth, social security number, phone number or email, and if we should reply to the district/employer or the member.

The California Schools VEBA Benefit Operations Team

What can The Benefit Operations Team help with?

• Enrollment Issues
• Plan Changes
• Eligibility Issues
• Inactive Coverage Issues
• Demographic Changes

How do I contact?

• Call The Benefit Operations Team at 888-276-0250 (Option 3).
• Email [email protected].
  • Please note: The Benefit Operations Team does not work directly with members. When inquiring on behalf of a CalVEBA member, include the member’s name, date of birth or social security number, phone number or email, and if we should reply to the district/employer or the member.

Have questions? You may always send your requests directly to your dedicated Account Manager.

To help clarify expectations, below is the anticipated turnaround time for eligibility requests. 

Urgent Requests

Requests should only be sent urgently if there is an immediate denial of access to care for medication or essential services due to medical necessity. A member’s enrollment will not be active in the carrier’s system immediately upon submission; however, they may still seek services and all claims can be resubmitted once eligibility has been updated.   

Urgent requests must include the following three items:  

1. “URGENT” in the subject  
2. The specific reason for the urgency  
3. Which plans are needed to be expedited (for example Medical, Prescription, Dental, and/or Vision)  

If the request does not include all these details, it cannot be prioritized. 

Reasons for urgency will be reviewed and if it does not fall within the requested parameters (immediate denial of access to care for medication or essential services due to medical necessity), it cannot be guaranteed that it will be processed urgently. 

If the submitted urgent request falls within all guidelines, the expected turnaround is one to two business days upon receipt, subject to business demands. 

Questions? Please email [email protected].

Open Enrollment Season Operations Timeline

CalVEBA Eligibility Process Turnaround: five to seven business days upon receipt, subject to business demands. 

• Once a district request is completed, a ticket closure confirmation email is sent. 
• Each Friday: eligibility changes are transmitted to carriers for processing. 

Carrier System Updates Reflected: two to four business days  

• Digital ID cards should be available upon enrollment by the carrier.
• All ID cards are digital this year. 
• For inquiries about requesting physical ID cards, please contact the carrier directly. Click here for the list of carrier contacts.

Total Turnaround Timeline: 10-15 business days after enrollment is submitted to CalVEBA by the district before benefits are active with the carrier.   

Please share this waiting period with your members so they understand when they can expect to appear active with the carrier.