Orlando Harmon
UCSB offers a health insurance plan called the Gaucho Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or UC SHIP, which is a nationwide/global PPO insurance plan. All registered UCSB students have access to in-clinic services provided by Student Health Services. However, only students enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) have financial coverage for medical, mental health, dental, vision, prescription, and travel insurance benefits. Students who have their own insurance plan can choose to waive the UCSB health insurance plan, but their plan must meet the Waiver Criteria established by the University of California, including providing unrestricted access to an in-network primary care physician within 50 miles of campus. International students, in particular, may find that UCSB's insurance plan is more expensive than other options designed specifically for them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | UCSB's insurance plan costs up to $8,673 a year. Health coverage for international students can be as low as $1,289 a year. Student Medicover insurance plans can save students $1,000-$3,000 per year. |
| Coverage | UCSB's plan includes medical, mental health, dental, vision, prescription, and travel insurance benefits. Student Medicover's plan covers minor illnesses, serious injuries, and diseases. |
| Convenience | UCSB's plan includes prepaid access to care at the UCSB Student Health Center for illness or injury. |
| Requirements | All international students must enroll in medical insurance while studying in the US. J-1 Visiting Scholars must provide proof of health insurance coverage. |
| Waivers | UCSB allows students to waive the school-provided plan and opt for a plan that better fits their needs. |
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What You'll Learn
UCSB insurance costs and affordability
UCSB students are automatically enrolled in the UCSB Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP), which is an affordable health insurance plan tailored to meet the healthcare needs of UCSB students. UC SHIP includes year-round, worldwide coverage using the Anthem Blue Cross network, and prepaid access to care at the UCSB Student Health Center for illness or injury. It covers medical, mental health, dental, vision, prescription, and travel insurance benefits.
The cost of UC SHIP can be fully or partially covered by a UC Health Insurance Grant from the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, depending on a student's financial situation. Students can also opt to waive UC SHIP if they have comparable insurance and do not want dual coverage. In this case, they must submit a request by the specified deadline. Students with Medi-Cal insurance can also waive UC SHIP, and their insurance scholarship will usually pay for GAP instead.
The Gaucho Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) Advisory Committee was established in Fall 2013 to oversee the functioning of the UCSB student insurance program and provide input on annual plan benefit design and premium negotiations. The committee includes undergraduate and graduate students, university officials, and representatives from campus student services. They make recommendations for SHIP changes to the Chancellor through the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Dean of the Graduate Division.
There are also alternative insurance plans available, such as Student Medicover, which can offer savings of $1,000 to $3,000 per year compared to UC SHIP. The Prime 500 plan is highlighted as a cost-effective option. However, it is important to carefully compare the coverage and benefits of any health insurance plan before making a decision, as lower costs may come with trade-offs in terms of coverage or access to care.
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Medical coverage and benefits
UC SHIP is an affordable health insurance plan designed to meet the healthcare needs of UCSB students. It offers year-round, worldwide coverage through the Anthem Blue Cross network, including access to the UCSB Student Health Center for illness or injury. The plan covers medical, mental health, dental, vision, prescription, and travel insurance benefits. It is important to note that Student Health is not affiliated with any outside private insurance carriers and cannot bill directly to private insurance.
International students, in particular, have specific insurance requirements when studying in the United States. UCSB automatically enrols international students in the UC SHIP plan, but they can opt out by submitting a waiver and providing proof of alternative insurance coverage. International students can find more affordable plans, such as Student Medicover, which offers quality health insurance with potential savings of $1,000-$3,000 per year and comparable or better benefits.
When considering medical coverage and benefits, it is essential to review the specific details of the insurance plan. Factors to consider include whether the plan covers pre-existing conditions, whether it provides in-network and out-of-network reimbursement, and the extent of coverage for emergency care, hospital stays, and specialist referrals. Additionally, understanding the distance requirements for accessing in-network healthcare providers is crucial, especially within 50 miles of the UCSB campus or the student's place of residence.
For J-1 Visiting Scholars, specific insurance requirements must be met, including coverage for sickness and accidents, repatriation of remains, and medical evacuation. These scholars must provide proof of insurance coverage that meets or exceeds the minimum J program requirements for the entire duration of their stay in the United States.
Overall, when deciding whether to keep your current medical insurance or accept UCSB health insurance, carefully review the medical coverage and benefits offered by each plan. Consider your individual healthcare needs, the affordability of the plan, and the specific details of coverage to make an informed decision that best suits your situation.
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Student health insurance waivers
The University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) is a mandatory health insurance plan for UCSB students. However, students can choose to waive this plan if they already have existing health insurance coverage that meets specific requirements.
Firstly, students must review the UC SHIP benefits and decide whether their current insurance plan offers comparable or better coverage. UC SHIP offers year-round, worldwide coverage, including medical, mental health, dental, vision, prescription, and travel insurance benefits. It also includes prepaid access to care at the UCSB Student Health Center for illness or injury.
If students decide to waive UC SHIP, their private insurance plan must provide unrestricted access to an in-network primary care physician (PCP), in-network hospital, and full non-emergency medical and behavioural healthcare within 50 miles of campus or the student's place of residence. Additionally, HMO plans that require an assigned PCP must have one assigned within 50 miles of campus or the student's residence.
For international students on an F-1 or J-1 visa, they are not allowed to waive out of the plan unless they are on a U.S.-based employer plan through a U.S.-based insurance company. Their insurance plan must also meet minimum requirements, including a minimum medical benefit of $100,000 per accident or illness and coverage for pre-existing conditions.
The waiver process typically involves submitting an online waiver form and providing proof of existing insurance coverage. The deadline for completing the waiver process is usually before the start of each academic year, and it must be done annually. Students should carefully review the specific requirements and deadlines of the waiver process to ensure they do not miss out.
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International student requirements
International students at UCSB have access to the Gaucho Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) Advisory Committee, which was established to oversee the functioning of the UCSB student insurance program. The Committee includes undergraduate and graduate students, university officials, and representatives from campus student services. They provide annual recommendations for SHIP changes to the Chancellor through the Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Dean of the Graduate Division. The Committee welcomes feedback and suggestions by email.
All J-1 Visiting Scholars must provide proof of health insurance coverage when completing the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) check-in. Scholars must either purchase a U.S.-based insurance plan or verify that their home country insurance meets or exceeds the minimum J program requirements. J-1 Short-Term Scholars must provide proof of coverage for the entire duration of their program, while J-1 Research Scholars must provide proof of coverage in increments of at least 6 months. The U.S. Department of State requires all J Exchange Visitors to have insurance coverage for sickness and accidents, repatriation of remains, and medical evacuation for the entire duration of their stay in the U.S. This is a mandatory requirement for all J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 Dependent family members.
It is important to note that many medical providers in the United States will not directly bill foreign insurance entities. As such, international students may be required to pay upfront for services and request reimbursement from their insurance provider. Additionally, the costs of procedures may be much higher in the United States than in other countries.
The UCSB Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) is a comprehensive and affordable insurance plan tailored to the healthcare needs of UCSB students. It includes medical, vision, dental, and pharmacy coverage, as well as worldwide coverage using the Anthem Blue Cross network. Only students enrolled in UC SHIP have financial coverage for medical, mental health, dental, vision, prescription, and travel insurance benefits. UC SHIP also includes prepaid access to care at the UCSB Student Health Center for illness or injury.
The UC SHIP plan has certain requirements that must be met. For example, within 50 miles of campus, UC SHIP functions like an HMO, requiring a referral from student health. Additionally, students must have unrestricted access to an in-network primary care physician (PCP), an in-network hospital, and full non-emergency medical and behavioural healthcare within 50 miles of campus or the student's place of residence.
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Private insurance and billing
UCSB's Student Health Services offers the Gaucho Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or UC SHIP, an affordable health insurance plan tailored to the health care needs of UCSB students. It features year-round, worldwide coverage using the Anthem Blue Cross network, and includes prepaid access to care at the UCSB Student Health Center for illness or injury. All registered UCSB students have access to in-clinic services provided by Student Health Services (except those defined as 'Student Employees' by the Registrar's Office).
UC SHIP includes medical, mental health, dental, vision, prescription, and travel insurance benefits. However, Student Health Services is not affiliated with any outside private insurance carriers and cannot bill directly to private insurance. Students with private insurance must waive UC SHIP and will be charged discounted "registered student" fees to their BARC billing account for visits and services.
To waive UC SHIP, students must submit a waiver request and ensure their insurance plan meets the Waiver Criteria established by the University of California. The insurance plan must provide unrestricted access to an in-network primary care physician (PCP), in-network hospital, and full non-emergency medical and behavioural health care within 50 miles of campus or the student's place of residence. HMO plans that require an assigned PCP must have one assigned within 50 miles of campus or the student's place of residence.
International students can also enrol in a more affordable plan designed specifically for them, such as Student Medicover, which can save students $1,000-$3,000 per year with comparable or better benefits. J-1 Visiting Scholars must provide proof of health insurance coverage that meets or exceeds the minimum J program requirements, including coverage for sickness and accidents, repatriation of remains, and medical evacuation.
Students with Medi-Cal can waive UC SHIP, and their insurance scholarship will usually pay for the Gaucho Access Plan (GAP), which provides discounted in-house medical care at UCSB Student Health.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) is an affordable health insurance plan tailored to the health care needs of UCSB students. The plan features year-round, worldwide coverage using the Anthem Blue Cross network, and includes prepaid access to care at the UCSB Student Health Center for illness or injury.
UC SHIP covers medical, mental health, dental, vision, prescription, and travel insurance benefits.
The cost of UC SHIP is $8,673 a year. However, international students can enroll in a more affordable plan designed specifically for them, with health coverage as low as $1,289 a year.
If you are not comfortable paying the copays and coinsurance associated with UC SHIP, you can waive it by using your Medi-Cal insurance if it is assigned to you in Santa Barbara County, or if you have statewide Medi-Cal coverage.
