Waiving UCSHIP
All registered students at UCR, including international students and those participating in study abroad programs, are automatically enrolled in the UCSHIP insurance plan. To avoid dual coverage and unnecessary costs, please note that waiving UCSHIP is an annual requirement. If you have coverage through a private health plan and wish to prevent overlapping insurance with UCSHIP, you must submit an online waiver application each academic year.
Waiver Deadlines for Each Academic Year:
- Fall Quarter: June 1st to September 12th
- Winter Quarter: November 1st to December 12th
- Spring Quarter: February 1st to March 12th
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:
- 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.
- If you received a renewal form from Medi-Cal, complete and return it by the deadline to avoid gaps in your coverage.
- 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.
Important Things to Note:
You are responsible for paying your full tuition and fees promptly until the waiver is approved and processed on your student account. Failure to do so may result in penalties for outstanding balances.
The UCSHIP waiver process involves a thorough 100% audit, where you must upload your insurance information, such as your insurance ID card or policy booklet, for evaluation.
After submitting your application, you will receive a preliminary approval or denial. If your application is denied, you can log in again to make necessary adjustments.
Once your application receives preliminary approval, AHP will perform a comprehensive audit of your insurance information to ensure its accuracy. After the audit, your waiver status will change from preliminary approved to final approved, and UCR SHS will work with AHP to remove the premium fee from your account.
Please refer to the academic calendar for adjusted waiver deadline dates, considering pending statuses on student accounts prior to the fee payment deadline.