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For referring clinicians & job seekers

Referring clinicians,
and careers at UMG.

Sending us a patient, or looking to join our team? We make it simple. We handle prior authorizations, accept most insurance, and specialize in the cases that are hardest to treat.

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SMS appointment reminders are optional. You may opt in during booking — consent is not required to schedule or receive care. Msg & data rates may apply for opted-in numbers. Reply STOP to opt out anytime. See our SMS Consent & Terms.

Mount Fuji at dawn — Universal Medical Group, a referral partner for California clinicians
Universal Medical GroupReferral partner · Est. 2008
1–2
Weeks to new patient intake
58
Counties via telehealth
100%
Prior auths handled by us
4
California clinics
2
Open clinical roles
TelePsychiatry across all 58 CA counties
Accepting new patients now
Medi-Cal · Medicare & most insurance
(925) 825-1766
Refer a patient

How to refer patients to UMG.

We specialize in treatment-resistant depression, complex psychopharmacology, Spravato® and TMS candidacy, and dual-diagnosis patients.

We also see patients needing bilingual psychiatric care in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, or Spanish. There is no referral form to complete — call us, fax us, or have your patient book directly.

  • No referral formCall (925) 825-1766 or have your patient book directly via our online booking portal.
  • Prior authOur billing team manages all insurance verification and prior authorizations — including complex Spravato® and TMS PAs.
  • Rapid intakeNew patient appointments typically within 1–2 weeks; urgent cases prioritized; telehealth statewide.
  • CollaborationWe send treatment summaries to referring providers with patient consent — we work with your team.

Refer a patient online

A clear turquoise beach
Calm waters.
The referral process

Four steps, start to follow-up.

From first contact to a treatment summary back in your hands — the referral pathway is deliberately simple.

01

Call, fax, or have your patient book online

Call (925) 825-1766 or have your patient book directly via our online booking portal. No referral form required.

First contact
02

We handle insurance & prior authorization

Our billing team manages all insurance verification and prior authorizations — including complex Spravato® and TMS PAs.

Verification
03

Rapid intake — typically 1–2 weeks

New patient appointments within 1–2 weeks. Urgent cases prioritized. Telehealth available for faster access statewide.

Scheduling
04

Collaborative communication

We send treatment summaries to referring providers with patient consent — we work with your team, not around it.

Continuity
Ideal referral candidates

The cases we are built for.

UMG is a strong fit when standard outpatient care has not been enough — or when a patient needs specialty psychiatry that is hard to find locally.

  • TRDTwo or more failed antidepressant trials — treatment-resistant depression
  • Spravato® · TMSPatients who may be candidates for esketamine or TMS evaluation
  • PolypharmacyComplex polypharmacy and pharmacogenomic testing
  • ADHD · ASDADHD and autism-spectrum evaluation for adults
  • OUD · MATOpioid use disorder — MAT / Suboxone® initiation
  • Bilingual carePatients needing psychiatric care in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, or Spanish
Contact our referral team

Reach the people who handle referrals.

Direct lines for referring clinicians — for a single patient, or to discuss a formal referral relationship.

Step-up / step-down partner

A preferred destination for transitions of care.

UMG serves as a preferred step-up destination from outpatient therapy and a step-down from inpatient programs. Contact us to discuss a formal referral relationship.

Call (925) 825-1766

Join our team

Why practice with Universal Medical Group?

Join a forward-thinking, physician-led practice combining traditional psychopharmacology with precision psychiatry — Spravato® treatment, TMS therapy, genomic testing, and AI-assisted care coordination.

We are currently seeking Psychiatrists (MD/DO) and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP-BC) for Pleasant Hill, Vallejo, Davis, and Fremont — in-person and telehealth positions available.

  • CompensationCompetitive W-2 salary
  • ScheduleHybrid / flexible schedule across in-person and telehealth
  • TrainingSpravato® & TMS training and certification support
  • CoverageMalpractice coverage provided
  • CMECME allowance (AB 692)
  • GrowthLeadership opportunities within a growing practice
Apply

Submit your CV or résumé.

We review every application personally. Tell us where you would like to practice and what you are looking for, and we will be in touch.

Roles are open for Psychiatrists (MD/DO) and PMHNP-BC nurse practitioners — in person at Pleasant Hill, Vallejo, Davis, and Fremont, or fully remote by telehealth.

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Your CV is sent securely to our hiring team and used only to evaluate your application. We review every submission personally.

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Thank you for your interest in Universal Medical Group. Our team will review your CV and be in touch shortly.

Get in touch

Refer a patient, or join the team.

Whether you are sending us a complex case or exploring a role with UMG, our team is ready — by phone, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Refer a patient online Call (925) 825-1766

SMS appointment reminders are optional. You may opt in during booking — consent is not required to schedule or receive care. Msg & data rates may apply for opted-in numbers. Reply STOP to opt out anytime. See our SMS Consent & Terms.

About this practice

Universal Medical Group is a physician-led psychiatric practice founded in 2008 by Dr. Surender Punia MD, an ABPN board-certified psychiatrist, Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (FAPA), and Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology (FASCP). The practice has four physical locations — 91 Gregory Lane, Suite 20, Pleasant Hill CA 94523; 532 Oregon Street, Vallejo CA 94590; 509 4th Street, Suite A4, Davis CA 95616; and 39001 Sundale Drive, Fremont CA 94538 — and offers TelePsychiatry to patients across all 58 California counties. For referring clinicians, UMG specializes in treatment-resistant depression, Spravato® esketamine, TMS therapy, pharmacogenomics, complex polypharmacy, ADHD and autism evaluation, and Suboxone MAT for opioid use disorder, and handles all insurance verification and prior authorization. The practice accepts Medi-Cal, Medicare, and most major commercial insurance, and is currently hiring Psychiatrists (MD/DO) and PMHNP-BC nurse practitioners for in-person and telehealth roles.