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UC SHIP/Anthem Blue Cross Insurance Info

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Phone: 831-502-8440
Fax: 831-459-4050
Email: insure@ucsc.edu 

Do you have questions for billing and insurance? Stop by our Zoom Drop-in hours. Every Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. You can also book an appointment online with Health e-Messenger. Select appointments and follow the prompts.

 

(Note: Non UCSC emails may bounce back. Please call us if you have any trouble with email not going through.) 

When you’re covered by UC SHIP, the Student Health Center provides your primary care and coordinates any additional medical care you might need.

On This Page 

Billing & Insurance: What's New?

Accepting or Waiving UC SHIP

Waiver Deadlines

Academic HealthPlans (AHP) are currently behind on waiver audits, it may take more than 10 business days to get an email response from them. 

  • Waiver periods for the 2025-2026 Academic Year

    • Spring: February 3, 2025 through March 17, 2025 
    • Summer: June 2 through July 2, 2025
    • Fall: July 19 through September 19, 2025 
    • Winter: November 3 through December 19, 2025 
    • Spring: February 2 through March 13, 2026 

If you miss the waiver period deadlines, contact the Insurance Department to submit a late waiver. You'll be charged $50.00 if your waiver is accepted. We can't accept late waivers after the following dates:

  • Late Waiver periods for the 2025-2026 Academic Year

    • Spring: March 18, 2025 through April 8, 2025
    • Summer: July 3 through July 17, 2025 
    • Fall: September 22 through October 10, 2025
    • Winter: December 22 through January 9, 2026 
    • Spring: March 16 through April 3, 2026 

 What to do:

  1. Review and complete the worksheet before beginning the waiver process.
  2. Read the waiver FAQs and UCOP's New Tips on Waiving UC SHIP
  3. Watch AHP's video on how to complete the waiver.
  4. Go to the UCSC Waiver Site (This waiver site will only be live for set periods of time, see the rates and dates table under "UC SHIP Costs above) and complete the online waiver. You must complete and submit the online waiver on the website once you open it. You cannot close it or go back and edit it. Please make sure you have all the correct information before you fill out the waiver.

Are you waiving UC SHIP with Kaiser, Medi-Cal, or a Private HMO? View the steps.

To accept enrollment in UC SHIP no action is necessary; you will automatically be enrolled and billed for the premium.

To waive out of UC SHIP you must complete an online waiver. Note: Once accepted, the waiver is in effect for the current quarter and the remainder of the academic year. A new waiver must be submitted at the beginning of each academic year.

After you submit the online waiver, our waiver partner, Academic HealthPlans (AHP), will review your waiver. They’ll let you know within 10 business days if there are any issues with your private health insurance plan. After submitting your waiver, email AHP at ucship@ahpservice.com with any questions.

What is UC SHIP?

The University of California Regents mandate that all students be covered by a health insurance plan. Because having an insurance plan is required, all full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students are automatically enrolled in and charged for the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) unless they submit an online insurance waiver confirming they have acceptable health insurance coverage. Read the University of California’s insurance mandate letter.

UC SHIP is a platinum health insurance plan at a competitive rate. Rates are $408.00 a month for undergrads and $695.00 for grads, with summer coverage at no extra charge. UC SHIP was created by students and is tailored to the health care needs of UCSC students.

The medical plan features year-round, worldwide coverage using the Anthem Blue Cross network, and includes prepaid access to care at the UCSC Student Health Center for illness or injury. To directly access the UC SHIP website please see myucship.org. UC SHIP is a comprehensive insurance plan which has Medical, Vision, Dental, and Pharmacy. 

UC SHIP Costs

UC SHIP 2024-2025 Brochure: Learn what's covered, how much it costs, and get more information about the program. Here's a quick reference showing costs for premiums, deductibles, co-insurance, out-of-pocket maximums, and more. 

 

UC SHIP Financial Aid

Our campus also awards the UC Health Insurance Grant to undergraduate financial aid applicants who meet all aid deadlines to help cover the cost of the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) and are grant eligible. Grant amounts vary depending upon financial need. Awards can be accessed and accepted via your MyUCSC portal.

If you wish to discuss your options for covering the cost of UC SHIP premiums, contact the Financial Aid Office. The Student Health Center cannot advise you on the various ways to cover the cost of UC SHIP. 

CruzCare

What if you want to use the Student Health Center, but you've waived UC SHIP? You can purchase CruzCare. CruzCare is inexpensive prepaid access to the Student Health Center, available only for students who successfully waive UC SHIP. CruzCare provides Student Health Center visits for care of acute illness or acute injury, including some in-house Student Health Center Laboratory tests and all in-house X-rays. It's a convenient, inexpensive solution for busy students seeking on-campus health care. The fee is $125.00 per quarter.

UC SHIP/Anthem Blue Cross Forms, Information, & Helpful Links

Mobile Apps

UC SHIP/Anthem Blue Cross Medical and Mental Health Information

Blue View Vision and Delta Dental

Delta Dental

Pharmacy: Optum RX

Waiver Information

UC SHIP/CruzCare Enrollment & Cancellation

You only need to visit these links if asked by the Billing & Insurance office.

General Information