Waiving UC SHIP

UC-Sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) Plan Waiver Criteria for 2025-2026

All plans must provide unrestricted access to an in-network primary care provider, in-network hospital, and full, non-emergency medical and behavioral health care within 50 miles of UCSC, or the student’s Santa Cruz County address, or the student’s place of residence (if online learning only) while attending school.

NOTE: This criterion applies to all plan types without exception, including Medi-Cal or Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, Veteran Affair Benefits, HMOs (including Kaiser, WHA, and others), Covered California or other U.S. federal or state exchange plans, all employee-sponsored and individual plans.

Coverage is currently active and the student agrees to maintain health coverage throughout the entire academic year. If your current insurance coverage is terminated, contact the Student Insurance Office as quickly as possible to discuss your health insurance options.

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To satisfy UC’s health insurance requirement for enrolled students, the plan held by the student must provide the following (this applies to all students regardless of gender):

1. Be a Medi-Cal/Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, VA Benefits, Covered California or other U.S. federal or state exchange plan, or a UC Employee Health Plan, OR
2. Be an employer-sponsored group health plan or individual plan that covers the following benefits:
   • Has an annual out-of-pocket maximum of $9,200 or less for an individual or $18,400 or less for a family. Deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance paid by the member accrue toward meeting theout-of-pocket maximum. A higher out-of-pocket maximum is allowed if the subscriber has a HealthSavings Account (HSA) or a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
   • Covers inpatient (hospital) and outpatient care for mental health and substance abuse disorder conditions the same as any other medical condition.
   • Doctor office visits for medical, including mental health, and alcohol/drug abuse conditions.
   • Provides coverage for all Minimum Essential Health Benefits. For the criteria, please see the Center for MediCaid Services (CMS) website.
   • May not be a health care or pharmacy reimbursement plan (A reimbursement plan means the student must pay for services and seek reimbursement from the insurance provider).
   • Have no per medical or mental health/substance abuse dollar maximums limits.

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For international students residing in the U.S., the following additional criteria apply. The plan must:

1. Have no per-medical or per-mental health/substance use disorder condition maximum benefit limits
2. Cover services related to suicidal conditions, including attempted suicide or suicidal thoughts
3. Cover medical services for injury from participation in all types of recreational activities or amateur sports
4. Have no pre-existing condition exclusion or limitation; if the plan has a pre-existing condition waiting period, that period has expired
5. Have no lifetime maximums on benefits
6. Have a complete master policy written in standard English with benefits expressed in U.S. dollars
7. Have a claims payment office with an address and phone number in the United States
8. Pay at least $50,000 annually for medical evacuation
9. Pay at least $25,000 for repatriation of remains