As a student, one of your top priorities is to make the most out of your educational experience, but this can be challenging if you’re worried about healthcare costs.
The good news is that the University of California (UC) offers health insurance plans that cater to the needs of students.
UC Student Health Insurance Plans
UC offers two primary health insurance plans for students: the UC SHIP and the GradGuard.
Both plans offer comprehensive coverage and a range of benefits, including coverage for medical, dental, vision, and mental health services.
UC SHIP
The UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) is a comprehensive insurance plan that provides coverage for medical, dental, vision, and mental health services.
The UC SHIP is mandatory for all UC students who are enrolled in six or more units, but students can waive the coverage if they have other health insurance.
The cost of UC SHIP varies depending on the student’s level of enrollment and the campus they attend.
For the 2022-2023 academic year, the cost of UC SHIP ranges from $1,744 to $2,131 per term.
GradGuard
The GradGuard plan is designed specifically for graduate and professional students.
The plan provides comprehensive coverage, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health services.
GradGuard is not mandatory for students, and students can opt for the plan if they meet certain eligibility requirements.
The cost of GradGuard varies depending on the student’s level of enrollment and the campus they attend.
For the 2022-2023 academic year, the cost of GradGuard ranges from $2,660 to $3,372 per term.
UC Student Health Insurance Waiver
If you have other health insurance coverage, you can waive the UC SHIP or GradGuard plans.
To waive the coverage, you must complete the waiver process before the deadline.
The deadline to waive the UC SHIP and GradGuard plans is September 15, 2022, for the fall term and February 15, 2023, for the spring term.
The waiver process requires you to provide proof of other health insurance coverage that meets certain criteria.
The criteria include having coverage that is comprehensive, comparable, and continuous.
If you’re unsure whether your health insurance coverage meets the criteria, you can contact the UC Health Insurance Office for assistance.
UC Student Health Insurance Subsidy
If you’re struggling to afford the cost of UC health insurance, you may be eligible for a subsidy.
The UC Student Health Insurance Subsidy is a program that provides financial assistance to eligible students to help cover the cost of UC SHIP or GradGuard.
To be eligible for the subsidy, you must meet certain income requirements and be enrolled in the UC SHIP or GradGuard plan.
The subsidy amount varies depending on your income level and the level of enrollment.
For the 2022-2023 academic year, the subsidy amount ranges from $160 to $1,185 per term.
How to Enroll in UC Student Health Insurance
To enroll in the UC SHIP or GradGuard plan, you must complete the enrollment process before the deadline.
The deadline to enroll in the UC SHIP and GradGuard plans is September 15, 2022, for the fall term and February 15, 2023, for the spring term.
The enrollment process requires you to complete an online application and pay the insurance premium.
You can access the online application through the UC Student Health Insurance website.
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