California Schools VEBA (CalVEBA) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt trust that provides health benefits and wellness programs for public sector employees. Founded in 1993, CalVEBA serves education, municipal, and public sector employers across California.
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A VEBA (Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association) is a tax-exempt trust created to provide employee benefits, including health care.
VEBAs help employers offer sustainable, cost-effective benefits while managing long-term obligations.
If you have questions or need help with your benefits, there are two ways to get support, depending on what you need help with.
Contact the Advocacy Team if you need help with:
- Complex benefit or coverage issues
- Finding in-network providers
- Denied or confusing claims
- Navigating the health care system or next steps
Call: 888-276-0250 (Monday–Friday, 8 am – 5 pm PST). Visit: CalVEBA.org/Contact.
Contact your health plan (carrier) if you need help with specific plan details, requesting ID cards, updating personal information, or changing your primary care provider (PCP). Visit CalVEBA.org/Coverage to find your carrier’s phone number and website.
The Advocacy Team helps you navigate the health care system, including accessing care, resolving referrals or prior authorizations, and maximizing your CalVEBA benefits. Support is available year-round.
Contact: 888-276-0250 | CalVEBA.org/Contact. For urgent requests, select “Urgent” on the contact form.
CalVEBA offers health advocacy, care navigation, wellness programs, and specialized benefits to support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Members can access support like the Advocacy Team, Care Navigation, fertility and menopause support, emotional well-being services, and on-demand wellness classes.
To get started, log in to your MyVEBA or visit the member benefits.
Visit the calendar to view upcoming classes & events.
Members can access CalVEBA services virtually, in person, or on-demand — depending on the program.
Visit the class calendar to register for classes and events, or log in to MyVEBA to explore available resources and benefits.
Optum Emotional Well-Being Solutions provides confidential, no-cost mental health support with a licensed mental health professional for CalVEBA members and eligible dependents (18+). Appointments are available virtually and in person at select Resource Centers. Get started: https://bit.ly/optumvrc.
Care Navigation connects you with a registered nurse Care Navigator who provides personalized guidance to help you manage your health and navigate care. Support is available by phone, virtually, or in-person. Book an appointment here.
Whole Health Coaching pairs you with a certified coach to support goal setting and lasting behavior change through a structured coaching program. Learn more and get started here.
In addition to mental health services covered under your plan*, CalVEBA offers short-term, confidential therapy services from licensed therapists for urgent personal or family concerns. Appointments are available virtually and in person. Book an appointment here.
*Refer to your plan documents for details.
Teladoc gives CalVEBA members access to world-renowned doctors for expert second opinions—at no cost. Available for you and eligible dependents. You can:
- Double-check a diagnosis
- Review a treatment plan
- Get expert guidance on surgery
Learn more and get started here.
Optum Dedicated Consultants offer confidential support from licensed professionals for everyday and complex challenges, including stress, relationships, caregiving, finances, grief, and work-life balance. Appointments are available virtually and in person, Monday–Friday. Learn more & get started here.
The Resource Center is CalVEBA’s wellness hub offering virtual, on-demand, and in-person services to support whole-person health.
Members can participate in classes, coaching, Care Navigation, and wellness programs — online or at select physical locations.
The Resource Center was created to give members easier access to personalized, whole-person wellness support.
It focuses on prevention, root-cause care, and practical tools to help members take an active role in their well-being.
Resource Center locations are available to CalVEBA members.
Non-members may participate in select virtual classes and access online wellness content.
CalVEBA Resource Centers are located in Kearny Mesa, Mission Valley, Carlsbad, and Chula Vista and are available exclusively to members.
Non-members may attend virtual classes and access online and on-demand resources. View locations, hours, and offerings on the Resource Center Locations page.
Yes. Virtual classes are available on the class calendar.
Yes. Free childcare is available to CalVEBA members at select Resource Center locations during onsite classes or appointments.
Advance registration is required at least 48 hours in advance, and a parent or guardian must remain on-site.
To request childcare, submit the request form or call 619-398-4220 for assistance.
Demographic changes must be submitted through your employer or HR department.
Once received from your employer, CalVEBA will update your account and notify the insurance carrier.
ID cards are issued by your insurance carrier. Contact your carrier directly to request a replacement card.
PCP changes must be made directly with your insurance carrier.
The Advocacy Team can help you find an in-network provider if needed. To contact the Advocacy Team, call 888-276-0250 or fill out the contact form here. Available Monday–Friday from 8 am – 5 pm PST.
To find Carrier contact information please visit our Coverage page.
Processing timelines can vary based on your employer, plan, and time of year. The Advocacy Team can confirm the status of your request and route questions to the appropriate team.
During Open Enrollment, processing times may be longer due to high volumes.
The MyVEBA Member Portal is CalVEBA’s customized benefits experience for members and a central access point for benefits, resources, and support. After registering, you can access information connected to your eligibility, elected benefits, coverage, available programs, and WellnessLiving scheduling for classes, services, and events.
Once you register, the MyVEBA Member Portal helps you access information and resources connected to your unique eligibility and benefits, including:
- Your elected benefits and coverage information
- Plan documents and related resources
- Programs, services, classes, and events available to you
- Personalized tools and information
- Carrier contact details
- Provider search tools
- Digital ID card access
- WellnessLiving access to book classes, services, events, and programs
Your email address helps us keep you informed so you can make the most of your benefits.
Yes. The MyVEBA Member Portal is designed to provide a more personalized and connected experience based on your eligibility, benefits, and interests.
This helps ensure you see information, resources, programs, tools, and support options that are most relevant to you, making it easier to find what you need in one place.
The MyVEBA Member Portal is designed to personalize information and resources based on eligibility and benefits. As a result, the information, tools, or resources available to you may differ from what another member sees.
The new CalVEBA digital experience brings key benefits information, resources, support, and scheduling access together through the MyVEBA Member Portal. It is designed to simplify how members connect to the information and programs available through their CalVEBA membership.
No. The MyVEBA Member Portal is a member-only tool. What each member sees is based on their own eligibility and elected benefits, so there is no BA or support staff view inside the portal.
BAs and support staff should use the ARES Employer Portal for administrative work. Because the logic that supports the MyVEBA Member Portal feeds through ARES, the client or BA view in ARES should align with what the member sees in the MyVEBA Member Portal.
No. The previous MyVEBA portal and mobile app are being discontinued. Please use the new MyVEBA Member Portal to access your personalized benefits information, resources, support, and scheduling options.
If you need help registering for or logging in to the MyVEBA Member Portal, submit a request online at www.calveba.org/contact or contact one of the teams below.
- Advocacy Team: Submit a request online at www.calveba.org/contact or call 888-276-0250.
- Resource Center Team: Submit a request online at www.calveba.org/contact, call 619-398-4220, or visit a Resource Center location for onsite support.
If the plan enrollments shown in your MyVEBA Member Portal do not look correct, please contact your employer benefits administrator.
If you see information in your MyVEBA Member Portal that does not appear to belong to you, please stop using the portal immediately. Do not download, save, print, or share the information.
Submit a request online right away at www.calveba.org/contact or call the Advocacy Team at 888-276-0250.
Yes. Classes, services, and events available through CalVEBA Resource Centers are free for CalVEBA members. When booking through WellnessLiving, you may see standard platform language such as “purchase,” “drop-in rate,” or “pay at facility.” Please disregard any payment-related wording. All eligible CalVEBA offerings are set to $0, and members will not be charged when booking these classes, services, or events.
WellnessLiving is the scheduling tool for CalVEBA Resource Center classes, services, and events. CalVEBA members access WellnessLiving through the MyVEBA Member Portal. Clients or non-members who want to view virtual classes or request to host an event at a Resource Center can access available options through the CalVEBA website.
First, register for and log in to your MyVEBA Member Portal. From there, you can view the full class and event calendar, register for a WellnessLiving account, and book classes, services, or events. You can also select your preferred location, including virtual or in-person options.
Please note: The registration email for the new scheduling tool can sometimes take up to 24 hours to validate. If you need assistance, submit a request online at www.calveba.org/contact or call the Resource Center Team at 619-398-4220.
Yes. You will first register for and log in to the MyVEBA Member Portal. From there, you will be able to create or access your WellnessLiving account to book CalVEBA classes, services, and events.
Clients or non-members do not need to access WellnessLiving through the MyVEBA Member Portal. Virtual classes and client event requests will be available through the CalVEBA website.
The MyVEBA Member Portal and WellnessLiving work together, but they are separate systems. The MyVEBA Member Portal is your personalized benefits experience, where you can access benefits information, resources, support, and scheduling options available to you. WellnessLiving is the scheduling platform used to book CalVEBA Resource Center classes, services, and events. Having separate accounts helps each system support its specific purpose while still giving you connected access through the MyVEBA Member Portal.
Start in the MyVEBA Member Portal and select the class, service, or event you want to book. You will be directed to the WellnessLiving sign-in page, where you can enter your WellnessLiving credentials and complete your booking. As a secondary option, you can sign in directly at wellnessliving.com/login/calveba or use the Achieve app by WellnessLiving to schedule or cancel classes, appointments, and other Resource Center services.
If you need help registering for or booking a class, service, or event through the WellnessLiving scheduling tool, submit a request online at www.calveba.org/contact or call the Resource Center Team at 619-398-4220 for support.
If a class, service, or event is full, you can join the waitlist. If a spot opens, you will be notified by email or text before the scheduled start time. Follow the link in the notification to confirm your reservation.
Yes. Sign in to your WellnessLiving account through a web browser or the Achieve app. Go to “My Schedule,” select the class, service, or event you want to cancel, and choose “Cancel Booking.” To reschedule, cancel your existing reservation, then book a new class, service, or event.
Yes. Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (EWS) and Optum EWS Consultant sessions are not scheduled through WellnessLiving. These services are booked directly through Optum scheduling.
Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solutions (EWS) and Optum EWS Consultant sessions are booked directly through Optum. If you need help with Optum scheduling, contact the Resource Center Team at 619-398-4220 or email Optum support at onsitesupport@optum.com.
CalVEBA’s new digital experience is designed to serve as a simpler front door to benefits, resources, and support. It brings key information together in one place and gives members a clearer path to the tools and services available through their CalVEBA membership.
Previously, CalVEBA information and resources were available across multiple websites, including vebaonline.com and vebaresourcecenter.com. The new website brings those resources together into one connected experience, while the MyVEBA Member Portal provides members with a personalized place to access benefits information and related support.
The website provides general information about CalVEBA for members, clients, and anyone looking to learn more about CalVEBA, including benefits, programs, services, resources, and support.
The MyVEBA Member Portal is the personalized access point for CalVEBA members. It connects members to information and resources tied to their eligibility and benefits, so they can more easily find what is relevant to them.
Think of the website as the place to learn about CalVEBA and the MyVEBA Member Portal as the place members go to access their personalized benefits experience.
The website provides information about CalVEBA benefits, programs, and services; wellness resources and support; Resource Centers, classes, and events; frequently asked questions and educational content; and information about CalVEBA and how we support members, clients, and employers.
Yes. The previous portal at myveba.org/fair/index and the CalVEBA mobile app are being discontinued. Members should use the new MyVEBA Member Portal to access personalized benefits information, resources, and support going forward.
For personalized benefits information, CalVEBA members should register for and log in to the MyVEBA Member Portal. The portal connects members to information tied to their eligibility and benefits, including coverage information, plan resources, carrier details, provider search tools, digital ID information, and relevant programs and support.
Members can register by visiting the MyVEBA Member Portal and following the prompts to create an account. After registering, members can log in to access personalized benefits information, plan resources, carrier details, provider search tools, digital ID information, and related support.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for using the search function, visit the Help Center first for support.
If you’re a CalVEBA member, we recommend logging in to your MyVEBA Member Portal for personalized benefits information and resources connected to your eligibility and benefits.
If you still need help, submit a request online at www.calveba.org/contact or call the Resource Center Team at 619-398-4220 or the Advocacy Team at 888-276-0250 for support.
Please see your employer benefit information to learn which one of the plan(s) and benefits options are available to you.
Your “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) provides details about what the plan covers, how much you pay, how the plan works, and more. To view the EOC for VEBA Direct, click here.
- Rady Children’s Health Network
- Sharp Community Medical Group
- Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group
- UCSD Health Network
- UCSD Medical Group
*If a family member does not make a Primary Care Physician (PCP) selection during enrollment, they will automatically be assigned a PCP.
Sometimes you may have an unexpected problem. If this happens, your first step is to call The Advocacy Team at 888-276-0250 or VEBA Direct’s Third Party Administrator (UnitedHealthcare) at 888-586-6365. We will assist you and attempt to find a solution to your situation.
If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. You do not need prior authorization to receive emergency care if you reasonably believe treatment is needed to prevent serious harm.
After receiving emergency care, you—or someone acting on your behalf—must notify VEBA Direct’s Third Party Administrator (UnitedHealthcare) or your primary care provider (PCP) within 24 hours, or as soon as reasonably possible. This allows your PCP to coordinate follow-up care.
When you call, please be ready to provide the facility name and location and a brief description of the services you received.
If you feel that you were improperly billed for services that you received from an Out-of-Network provider, please call VEBA Direct’s third-party administrator (UnitedHealthcare) at 888-586-6365.
You or your covered dependent may file an appeal or grievance with VEBA Direct if a claim is denied (Adverse Benefit Determination) or if you have concerns about access to care or services received from VEBA Direct or its contracted medical or behavioral health providers.
First-Level Appeal or Grievance — contact UnitedHealthcare, VEBA Direct’s TPA:
- Phone: 1-800-624-8822
- Online: www.myuhc.com
- Mail: Appeals & Grievances – UnitedHealthcare, P.O. Box 6107, Mail Stop CA124-0160, Cypress, CA 90630-9972
Second-Level Appeal or Grievance — if your first-level appeal is denied, you may file a written second-level appeal within 60 calendar days by contacting the VEBA Direct Office of the Ombudsman:
- Phone: 888-276-0250
- Email: appeals@calveba.org
- Mail: California Schools VEBA, c/o Office of the Ombudsman (VEBA Direct), 1843 Hotel Circle South, Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92108
Second-Level Appeal Form (PDF). For additional details, please refer to the Evidence of Coverage.
CalVEBA helps manage rising health care costs through pooled purchasing and a preventive approach to health care. By identifying issues earlier and supporting members in staying healthier overall, this approach helps improve health outcomes across the membership base and leads to more stable cost trends over time for the employer pool.
Pooled purchasing through CalVEBA spreads risk across participating organizations, strengthening purchasing power and supporting more predictable budgeting over time. This collective approach helps organizations sustain comprehensive benefits and provide employees with consistent access to support, creating long-term value for both.
As a nonprofit trust, CalVEBA reinvests resources to support members and long-term health outcomes. Unlike traditional plans, this model prioritizes affordability and transparency over profit.
CalVEBA focuses on prevention and whole-person support to help members address concerns earlier. Advocacy and navigation resources also support informed care decisions and appropriate use of benefits.
Through education, advocacy, and ongoing communication, CalVEBA helps employees understand their benefits and know where to turn for support. This reduces confusion and helps members use their benefits confidently.
Your dedicated CalVEBA Account Manager is your primary point of contact, providing relationship-driven support and helping coordinate resources across CalVEBA. When situations require additional escalation or independent review, dedicated advocacy and Ombudsman support are available.
If you’re unsure who your Account Manager is, please contact the Ombudsman: Heather_Simonson@rpadmin.com.
Reach out to your Account Manager. They work closely with our internal teams and partners and can ensure your questions and issues are handled efficiently.
Employers can partner with our Well-Being Team to share resources with their employees throughout the year. Support can be delivered virtually, on-demand, in person at a Resource Center, or at your site.
Contact your Account Manager if you’re interested in bringing CalVEBA resources to your staff.
Year-round. Whether you’d like to set up a training for your benefits team, are planning for Open Enrollment, or exploring new well-being support for your employees, CalVEBA can help. We will work with you to find a solution that fits your organization’s needs.
Contact your Account Manager to get started.
The CalVEBA Ombudsman offers confidential support when health care-related issues are complex or difficult to resolve. This provides an additional layer of support when employers or members need help navigating sensitive situations.
To connect with the CalVEBA Ombudsman, email Heather_Simonson@rpadmin.com or reach out to your Account Manager.
When high-impact situations arise, such as serious illness, injury, or community crises, CalVEBA provides Critical Incident Response Support (CIRS). This includes coordinated advocacy and well-being resources, with a clear escalation path, so employers are not navigating these situations alone.
CalVEBA works closely with employer leadership to respond as quickly as possible during urgent situations. Because available resources vary based on circumstances, early communication with CalVEBA helps assess needs and coordinate timely support.
CalVEBA partners with employers to support the overall health and well-being of their workforce. This includes guidance on available resources, support during challenging moments, and tools to help employees better understand and use their benefits.
Click here to learn about CalVEBA’s benefits, offerings and partnership options for employers.
No. The MyVEBA Member Portal is a member-only tool. What each member sees is based on their own eligibility and elected benefits, so there is no BA or support staff view inside the portal.
BAs and support staff should use the ARES Employer Portal for administrative work. Because the logic that supports the MyVEBA Member Portal feeds through ARES, the client or BA view in ARES should align with what the member sees in the MyVEBA Member Portal.
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