Insurance

UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP)

UCSHIP is a UC Systemwide Health Insurance Plan providing health insurance benefits to all enrolled students. All registered students are automatically enrolled in UCSHIP.

Any registered student can get health care at Student Health Services. With UCSHIP you are covered when accessing care on campus at SHS. Without UCSHIP there will be an out-of-pocket expense.

UCSHIP covers the costs at SHS for:

  • Nursing care
  • Appointments with a doctor or nurse practitioner
  • Urgent, same-day, or walk-in visits
  • Laboratory tests
  • Medical supplies and equipment
  • Medications (with student co-pay)

Your UC Student Health Insurance Plan: UC SHIP

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

UC SHIP: Tailored Healthcare Coverage for UC Students

UC SHIP is a specially designed and cost-effective healthcare coverage plan for UC students. It includes a wide range of services such as medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, mental health, and substance use disorder support for both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as their eligible dependents.

We believe in student involvement and actively engage students in shaping UC SHIP's future through the Executive Oversight Board. Students play a vital role in evaluating new benefit requests and devising strategies to maintain the plan's affordability.

As medical insurance is mandatory for all UC students, you will be automatically enrolled in UC SHIP upon registration. However, there are specific waiver criteria that, if met, allow you to opt-out of the coverage.

How to Use the Plan

Under the UC SHIP plan guidelines, the first place you should seek non-emergency care is the campus Student Health Services (SHS). Many services, including preventive care, are offered there at no cost or for a low copay. If you need care SHS can’t provide, you’ll receive a referral for care outside SHS.

Depending on the services you receive outside SHS, you may need to pay an annual deductible before UC SHIP begins to share costs with you. Once you meet that deductible, you’ll pay coinsurance for services, and UC SHIP will cover the remainder of the cost, up to the maximum allowable amount for that service.

You’re protected financially with an annual limit on your out-of-pocket costs. Once you reach this limit, the plan picks up 100% of the costs for that year.

Where to Learn More

Want to know more about services covered by UC SHIP? Visit myucship.org. If you’re interested in becoming part of the UC SHIP Executive Oversight Board, here’s how to get involved.

 

Student Health Insurance Office

The Student Health Insurance Office is in the Student Health Services building located in parking lot #21.

Plan Administrator: Academic Health Plans (AHP) is the plan administrator for UCSHIP that processes all enrollments and waivers.
  • To enroll a dependent due to a qualifying event (marriage/divorce, loss of prior coverage, newborns, etc.) please click here Your online application must be submitted within 31 days of your qualifying event date.

Get Plan Info at Your Fingertips

Sydney App for UC SHIP

The Sydney Health app has replaced the Student Health app for easy access to everything you need to know about your medical, pharmacy, dental and vision coverage. Use it to access your ID card; find Student Health Center location, hours and services; view medical, pharmacy, dental and vision coverage and claims information; and get notifications for benefit changes and action items.

GET IT AT THE APP STORE

GET IT ON GOOGLE PLAY

 

UCSHIP Coverage

Undergraduate Students

Graduate Students

School of Medicine

Resources

Annual Federal Reporting Requirement

Student health care plans are required to report to the IRS the name, address, and Social Security Number (SSN) of plan members, including covered students and dependents, to verify coverage during the calendar year. The University of California provides more information.

Medical and Pharmacy Summary of Benefits 
The Summary of Benefit Coverage provides a snapshot of benefit information such as out-of-pocket, copayments, and deductible amounts. In addition, the SBC provides information regarding what the Plan Covers as well as additional costs associated with the plan.

UC SHIP and the Waiver Option

Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) Recipients: Action Required

The recent conclusion of the COVID-19 federal public health emergency (PHE) may impact students with Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) coverage. Please take note of the following:

1. Reapplication: You may need to reapply for Medi-Cal coverage, as annual eligibility reviews have resumed post-PHE. Failure to do so could lead to loss of coverage.

2. Mandatory Coverage: All registered UC students must have medical insurance. If you lose Medi-Cal coverage, contact your student health center promptly.

3. Communication: Medi-Cal will contact you by mail for eligibility verification. Ensure your contact information is up to date to avoid missed communications.

Take action to maintain your coverage and stay informed:

  1. Make sure Medi-Cal has your current contact information. Visit medicaid.gov/renewals, then use the links for your state to provide updates and learn the status of your eligibility.
  2. If you received a renewal form from Medi-Cal, complete and return it by the deadline to avoid gaps in your coverage.
  3. If you’re no longer eligible for Medi-Cal due to your age or financial status, you have options:
    • To be enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) when your Medi-Cal coverage ends, notify your student health center. Otherwise, you will not have medical coverage until the following term. To see what you’ll pay for coverage, visit the Paying for Coverage page.
    • You may be able to get low-cost coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace®. You have a limited time to apply and enroll. Visit the website or call (800) 318-2596.
UCSHIP Costs

 

 

 

UC SHIP Frequently Asked Questions