As a public institution, we provide exceptional care to all Californians. And, we actively seek ways to expand our reach to those who need it most by improving access to health care. 

UC’s health locations and providers are proud to serve as an essential part of California’s health care safety net system, providing high quality care to those in need regardless of whether individuals are insured or the type of health insurance they have. 

Each year, UC's academic health centers care for millions of patients in inpatient and outpatient settings. As of the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, across UC academic health centers, 39 percent of inpatient days (days where patients were in the hospital) were for Medi-Cal enrollees. Additionally, 35 percent of inpatient days were for people with Medicare coverage.

Did You Know?

Together, UC’s academic health centers are:

  • The largest provider of Medi-Cal outpatient visits compared to other major California health systems.
  • The second-largest provider of Medi-Cal inpatient days, despite operating less than seven percent of the hospital beds in California.  

 

Providing Accessible Health Education and Training Across California 

All UC health professional education emphasizes public service and caring for communities that have traditionally faced barriers to care or inadequate public health resources. But that’s not enough. We have opened new UC schools and programs in areas where additional health care is needed. And, our UC PRIME model of training equips the next generation of physicians for leadership and advocacy for groups who do not regularly have access to quality care. 

Explore how UC Health is building the physician workforce for underserved communities.

World-Class Care Regardless of Ability to Pay 

The University of California’s academic health centers and faculty practice groups provided $5.9 billion in community benefits in FY 2023-2024. Those benefits included care delivered at UC academic health centers and faculty practices for which the system was not reimbursed — in the amount of $1.5 billion for people enrolled in Medi-Cal and an additional $3.7 billion for Medicare patients. 

Learn more about the community benefit UC Health provides to Californians.