UC SHIP/Anthem Blue Cross Insurance Info

On This Page 

• Billing & Insurance News
• What is UC SHIP?
• UC SHIP Costs
• Accepting or Waiving UC SHIP (Spring deadline: 3/15/23)
• UC SHIP Financial Aid and Campus Care Medical Assistance Fund
• Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Benefit
• CruzCare
• Insurance Forms & Helpful Links
• Billing Information

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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 an affordable health insurance plan 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 Introductory Video: Comprehensive, Quality Care at an Affordable Price
• Video: How UC SHIP works

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UC SHIP Costs

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Accepting or Waiving UC SHIP

Waiver Deadlines

• For the 2022-2023 Academic Year:
  
  • Fall: 9/15/22
  • Winter: 12/15/22
  • Spring: 3/15/23

If you miss the deadlines above, 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:

• For the 2022-2023 Academic Year:
  • Fall: 9/16/22–9/30/22
  • Winter: 12/16/22–12/30/22
  • Spring: 3/16/23–3/30/23

 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 fees 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.

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.

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UC SHIP Financial Aid and Campus Care Medical Assistance Fund

Financial Aid

Our campus also awards the UC Health Insurance Grant to undergraduate financial aid applicants who meet all aid deadlines to cover the cost of the University of California Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) and are grant eligible. Students who elect to waive UC SHIP fees will not be eligible for UC SHIP Grant. The maximum amount of this award is the cost of UC SHIP, but the 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. 

Campus Medical Care Assistance Fund

The UC SHIP Reserve Fund Investment Committee (RFIC) granted funds to UC Santa Cruz to help students with a financial hardship, and to assist students in paying their out-of-pocket medical expenses that exceed $500 up to the in-network individual out-of-pocket maximum. All graduate and undergraduate students and dependents are eligible if they are currently enrolled in UC SHIP and enrolled for at least one term before the date of the medical service. The medical service date must be during the 2022-2023 plan year. Students must have no outstanding financial balance with their campus and have applied for charity care from the provider of service. Read the Campus Medical Care Assistance Fund FAQ for details, and use the Campus Medical Care Assistance Fund Application Form to apply.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Benefit 

The UC SHIP Reserve Fund Investment Committee (RFIC) has approved a Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Service pilot. The pilot will start with three campuses (UCR, UCSC, UCSD) for the first year, then adding additional campuses for year two, year three.  Prior to the end of the third year, UC SHIP Executive Oversight Board will evaluate to determine if the service will become a benefit in the UC SHIP plan design for all campuses.  At which time, the cost will be included in the annual UC SHIP premium rate. The service is for Non- emergency transportation to and from scheduled medical and behavioral health appointments or pharmacy visit following doctors appointments. Please read the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation FAQ about details of this service and restrictions.

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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.

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