Does Universal Medical Group accept Medi-Cal and Medicare?

Yes. UMG accepts Medicare, Medi-Cal, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, TriCare, Optum, Magellan, Health Net, and most major commercial insurance plans. Self-pay and sliding scale rates are also available.

Can I do my first psychiatric evaluation via telehealth?

Yes. New patient evaluations are available via HIPAA-compliant telehealth for patients anywhere in California. You will receive a secure video link before your appointment — no app download required.

Does UMG offer TelePsychiatry across California?

Yes. Universal Medical Group provides TelePsychiatry services to patients in all 58 California counties. This includes new patient evaluations, medication management, follow-ups, and MAT.

What is Spravato and does UMG offer it?

Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and MDD with acute suicidal ideation. UMG offers Spravato treatment at our Pleasant Hill clinic. It is covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, and most commercial insurance when medically necessary.

Does UMG have psychiatrists who speak Hindi, Punjabi, or Tagalog?

Yes. Dr. Surender Punia, the founder of Universal Medical Group, is fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi. The practice also has Tagalog-speaking providers Michelle Ladringan DNP and Manuel Salera DNP. This makes UMG one of the very few Bay Area psychiatric practices offering multilingual care.

What insurance does Universal Medical Group accept?

UMG accepts Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna/Evernorth, United Healthcare, Medicare, Medi-Cal, TriCare, Magellan, Beacon, Optum, Health Net, and most major commercial plans. Self-pay and sliding scale options are also available.

Does Universal Medical Group accept Medi-Cal?

Yes, Universal Medical Group accepts Medi-Cal, Medicare, and most major commercial insurance plans including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, Optum, Health Net, Magellan, Beacon, and TriCare. Self-pay and sliding scale options are also available.

Does Universal Medical Group offer TelePsychiatry?

Yes. UMG offers TelePsychiatry to all 58 California counties via a HIPAA-compliant video platform. No app download required — patients receive a secure link before their appointment.

What is Spravato and does UMG offer it?

Spravato (esketamine) is an FDA-approved nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation. UMG offers Spravato treatment at our Pleasant Hill clinic. Sessions are 2 hours and covered by most insurance when medically necessary.

Can I see a Hindi-speaking psychiatrist at UMG?

Yes. Dr. Surender Punia MD is fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi. He sees patients in person at our Pleasant Hill, Vallejo, Davis, and Fremont clinics and via TelePsychiatry across California.

Does UMG offer TMS therapy?

Yes. UMG offers Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) therapy, an FDA-cleared, drug-free treatment for depression and OCD. Sessions are approximately 30–40 minutes, 5 days per week for 6 weeks, and covered by most insurance when medically necessary.

Insurance & patient resources

Accepting new patients,
most major insurance plans.

Q: How do I book my first appointment at Universal Medical Group?

Call (925) 825-1766 or book online via our patient portal. New patients are typically seen within 1–2 weeks. Telehealth patients are often seen sooner.

Q: How long is the first appointment?

Initial psychiatric evaluations at UMG are 60–90 minutes. We take time to understand your full history, current concerns, and goals before making any recommendations.

We work with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare, and most major commercial plans — plus Medicare, Medi-Cal, TriCare, and self-pay. Our team verifies your benefits before your first appointment — no surprises.

Schedule your first visit Check my coverage — (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.

Fields of tulips in bloom — Universal Medical GroupPsychiatry · Est. 2008

15+

Insurance plans accepted

Counties via telehealth

Languages spoken

1–2

Weeks to first visit

California clinics

Now accepting new patients

Aetna · BCBS · Cigna · United & most major plans

TelePsychiatry across all 58 CA counties

(925) 825-1766

Insurance accepted

We work with most major insurance plans.

We accept a wide range of commercial, government, and managed care plans. Don’t see yours? Call us — we’ll check your eligibility on the spot.

Aetna

Self-pay rates start at competitive cash-pay pricing, with sliding scale options for those who need them.

No insurance required

Don’t see your planCall (925) 825-1766 and we’ll check your eligibility on the spot
Self-payRates start at competitive cash-pay pricing
Benefits checkOur team verifies your coverage before your first appointment
Spravato® billingPrior authorization is managed entirely by our team

Book your first appointment Call (925) 825-1766

No surprises

We verify your benefits before you arrive.

Before your first appointment, our team confirms your coverage, your copay, and any prior authorization needed — including the entire authorization process for Spravato® and TMS. You walk in knowing what to expect.

Check my coverage — (925) 825-1766

Common questions

Patient FAQ.

Everything you need to know before your first appointment.

How do I book my first appointment?

Call us at (925) 825-1766 or book online via our patient portal. New patients are typically seen within 1–2 weeks. Telehealth patients are often seen sooner.

What should I bring to my first visit?

Bring a list of your current medications and dosages, any prior psychiatric records if available, your insurance card, and a photo ID.

How long is the first appointment?

Initial psychiatric evaluations are 60–90 minutes. We take our time to understand your full history, current concerns, and goals before making any recommendations.

Can I do my first visit via telehealth?

Yes. New patient evaluations are available via our HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform for patients anywhere in California. You’ll receive a secure video link before your appointment — no app download required.

What if I don’t have insurance?

Self-pay and sliding scale options are available. Please call our office to discuss rates. We believe everyone deserves access to quality psychiatric care regardless of insurance status.

How does Spravato® billing work?

Spravato® is covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, and most commercial insurance when medically necessary. Our team manages the entire prior authorization process — no legwork required from you.

Do you accept walk-ins?

We are appointment-based and do not accept walk-ins. Please call (925) 825-1766 or book online. Urgent cases are accommodated as quickly as possible — please mention if your situation is time-sensitive.

Coming soon

Concierge Psychiatry.

Premium personalized care with direct provider access, priority scheduling, extended appointments, and after-hours availability for established patients.

Direct accessDirect provider cell access for established patients
SchedulingPriority same-day scheduling
AppointmentsExtended appointments, unhurried and thorough
AvailabilityAfter-hours availability when you need it

Interested? Email info@unimedicalgroup.com to join the waitlist.

Begin

Let’s confirm your coverage and get you seen.

Universal Medical Group is accepting new patients across California — in person and by TelePsychiatry. Call and we’ll verify your plan, usually the same day.

Book an appointment Call (925) 825-1766

Accepting new patients,most major insurance plans.

We work with most major insurance plans.

Aetna

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Cigna / Evernorth

United Healthcare

Optum

Health Net

Magellan Health

Beacon Health Options

Anthem

TriCare

Kaiser

MHN / Managed Health

Medicare, Medi-Cal & self-pay.

Medicare

Medi-Cal

Self-Pay / Sliding Scale

We verify your benefits before you arrive.

Patient FAQ.

Concierge Psychiatry.

Let’s confirm your coverage and get you seen.

Accepting new patients,
most major insurance plans.