Billing Information
Understand your health center costs and coverage
We’re dedicated to helping patients navigate the complexities of insurance billing and are available for any questions, concerns, or issues related to clinic visits. Our billing and insurance advocates are happy to assist you.
All registered UCSC students are permitted to use the Student Health Center. However, the Health Center only bills UC SHIP directly. If you waive UC SHIP, you’re responsible for the cost of care, which will be billed to your student account.
UC SHIP, CruzCare, and private insurance
Some Student Health Center services are offered at no additional cost, funded by registration fees—such as counseling visits and health promotion programs like free HIV testing and the Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse Prevention Program.
Same Day Clinic and medical appointment services may have fees depending on your insurance. Students with UC SHIP or CruzCare receive unlimited visits for illness or injury, including X-rays and in-house lab tests. Additional charges may apply for medications, supplies, immunizations, offsite lab tests, or pharmacy items not covered by CruzCare.
Students with private insurance, or those receiving elective or preventive care, will be charged. Charges are billed to your student account unless you arrange to pay at the time of service.
Insurance & billing news
Key information and news about UC SHIP, premium changes, waivers, and using your benefits.
UC SHIP waiver deadlines
Waiver periods for the 2025-2026 Academic Year
- Fall: July 19 through September 19, 2025
- Winter: November 3 through December 19, 2025
- Spring: February 2 through March 13, 2026
Late waiver process – 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: - Fall: September 22 through October 10, 2025
- Winter: December 22 through January 9, 2026
- Spring: March 16 through April 3, 2026
About that 1095-B form you’ll be receiving
The 1095-B form confirms that you’re enrolled in a health plan (UC SHIP) that meets federal and California minimum health insurance requirements. It’s required by law, and each year we must report your Social Security number (SSN)—or your name and date of birth—to the IRS for you and any enrolled dependents.
If your SSN is not on file with your campus registrar, you will receive an email from Academic HealthPlans (AHP), the UC SHIP enrollment vendor, asking you to provide it. Please follow their instructions to update your information:
- Go to AHP website
Visit www.myahpcare.com. - Select your school
Choose University of California, Santa Cruz from the list or search for it. - Log in or create an account
Click login (top-right). If new, click create account and provide:
- UCSC student ID
- Date of birth
- UCSC email address
- Open your student profile
Go to: My account > View/edit my info > Student profile - Enter or confirm your SSN/ITIN
Add your SSN or ITIN. If you don’t have one, select the appropriate option. - Opt in for electronic 1095 form
In the 1095 electronic consent section, check the box to receive it online. - Save your changes
Click save or update at the bottom of the page. - Watch for confirmation
You’ll get an email once your info is approved or if more details are needed. - Download your 1095 form
After approval, log back in. Your form will be under documents or messages.
Non-emergency transportation rides for students with UC SHIP
Starting on 9/23/23, Student Health Services will provide non-emergency transportation for students with UC SHIP. This SHS-funded service will be provided as long as funds remain available. Student Health Services will authorize Uber Health ride transportation for medical or mental health transport purposes only.
What is the non-emergency transportation service?
- Non-emergency transportation to and from scheduled UC SHIP medical and behavioral health appointments.
- Transportation services are provided through Uber Health in a car.
- 12 one-way trips per benefit year.
- Same-day appointments can be scheduled, but please allow enough transport time before the start of your appointment.
- Student Health Services staff will authorize the ride; the student will then schedule the ride.
- One companion may accompany a student who cannot transfer on their own to the medical appointment.
What are the requirements?
- All rides must be coordinated and scheduled through the Student Health Center or CAPS.
- Trips are limited to 25 miles one-way within Santa Cruz County. Ride dollar maximum is $50.
- No-shows will count against the annual 12 one-way ride limit. Cancellations made more than 30 minutes prior to the ride will not count against the limit.
- Drivers will wait only 5 minutes for the rider.
- Transportation services are for off-campus medical or mental health appointments only. Misuse of this service will result in loss of authorization.
- Drivers will not be aware of the reason for the ride. No medical information is shared with the driver.
What is excluded?
- Student Health Services will not reimburse Uber Health rides that have not first been arranged through the campus Student Health Center or CAPS.
- Rides for dental, vision, pharmacy, or non-medical/non-mental health services.
- Rerouting of the driver by the passenger.
- Rides exceeding 25 miles, rides to locations outside of Santa Cruz County, or rides costing over $50.
- Students who are not enrolled in UC SHIP.
How do I request this service?
- Call the Student Health Center Insurance Department at (831) 459-2500 to request this service for medical appointments.
- Call the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Department at (831) 459-2628 to request this service for behavioral health appointments.
What if I have questions about this new service?
Send an email to the Student Health Center Insurance Department at insure@ucsc.edu or contact the CAPS front desk at (831) 459-2628.
Health Equity Fund FAQ
The Health Equity Fund provides financial assistance to UCSC students who need help paying for medically necessary health services obtained outside of Student Health Services. The fund helps cover costs for eligible services when students have no outstanding campus balance and have applied for charity care from their service provider. Assistance amounts vary based on available funds.
Who is eligible to obtain assistance from this fund?
All graduate and undergraduate students currently enrolled at UCSC. The service date must be during the academic year in which you apply for the fund. Students must have no outstanding financial balance with their campus and have applied for charity care from the provider of the service. The services must be obtained outside of Student Health Services and already rendered.
How much money is available?
Each student is eligible to receive $300.00 to $1,000.00 for each academic year, as funds are available.
What types of services are available for assistance?
The following services are available for assistance, but services must be medically necessary:
- Hospitalization
- Outpatient Surgery
- In-patient care (includes mental health/substance abuse)
- Out-patient care (includes mental health/substance abuse)
- Hospice Care
- Physician/Surgeon Services
- Diagnostic Testing
- Imaging Services (MRI/CT/PET Scans)
- Ambulatory Transportation
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Childbirth/Delivery Professional Services
- Childbirth/Delivery Facility Services
- Skilled Nursing
This fund cannot be used for dental, pharmacy, optometry, or other services not listed.
What is Charity Care and how do I apply for it?
Charity Care is health care provided for free or at reduced prices to low-income patients. Please contact the provider’s office that is billing for these services in writing to ask if they offer any form of Charity Care. Some providers have applications, some require a letter of request, while others may not offer charity care. For those that do, they may review your request and either write off the full amount owed, a portion of the billed amount, or determine you are not qualified. If your provider does not offer charity care, please provide a letter or email from them indicating this. Submit their written response along with your Health Equity Fund application.
What happens after I submit my application?
Your Student Health Center (SHC) representative will review your application and supporting documents to ensure you have provided the necessary information.
How long will it take before I receive payment to my student account?
The SHC representative will notify you if your application is complete and forward the information to the Financial Aid Office for payment processing. If you have an outstanding balance or missing information, the representative will inform you that your application cannot be processed until your University account is paid in full.
Will I be taxed on this payment?
Assistance from the Medical Care Assistance Fund will be included on your 1098-T form. This form includes qualified charges paid and financial assistance received for the corresponding tax year. Please consult a tax professional with any tax-related questions.
Who can I contact if I have questions about this?
Please contact the Insurance Department at (831) 459-2389 for any questions about this fund.
How do I apply for assistance?
Log in to Health e-Messenger and follow these steps:
- Go to Messages
- Click New Message
- Select Health Equity Fund as the message topic.
- Attach your application, the provider’s response to your charity care request, and a copy of your Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
- Submit your message.
Fees
The cost for Health Center services is reasonable and often below that of comparable community facilities. Our charges are reviewed and approved by the Campus Miscellaneous Fee Committee, which includes student representation. Charges are billed to your UCSC account along with other campus-related charges, such as registration fees. Students are responsible for clearing these charges from their account. Unpaid balances may affect your ability to register for classes.
A missed appointment incurs a $25 fee. To avoid this fee, please contact us before your appointment time
This summary of common fees table provides an overview of common out-of-pocket costs at the UCSC Student Health Center, including fees for exams, lab tests, immunizations, and missed appointments. Costs vary based on your insurance coverage—UC SHIP, CruzCare, or private insurance
Accessing statements
Electronic itemized statements detailing your Health Center services can be accessed through Health e-Messenger. Click on “Account Summary” for a statement that can be used for insurance reimbursement.
Confidentiality
California law allows students to request confidentiality from their insurer. This prevents sensitive health information, such as explanations of benefits, from being sent to a parent or guardian’s address if listed with the insurance company. Contact your insurance company to request a Confidential Communications Request Form.
