Each academic year all students are enrolled in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) automatically. If you are currently insured with a qualifying health plan and do not wish to keep UC SHIP as secondary coverage, you may submit a waiver request. Before you submit a waiver request please be sure your insurance plan meets the Waiver Criteria established by the University of California. The distance requirement is 50 miles from the student’s residence while in Santa Barbara.
UC SHIP WAIVER PERIODS:
|
Quarter |
Waiver Period |
Waiver Exception Window ($50 fee charged to barc) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 08/01/2024 - 09/06/2024 | 09/07/2024 - 9/26/2024 | |
| Winter 2025 | 11/06/2024 - 12/27/2024 | 12/28/2024 - 01/03/2025 | |
| Spring 2025 | 02/01/2025 - 03/13/2025 | 03/14/2025 - 03/31/2025 |
Check Waiver Status on MyHealth Portal
- Once you RECEIVE your APPROVED WAIVER email and your waiver is fully processed and updated, you will then be credited the full UC SHIP fee to your student account.
- It can take up to 15 business days for your waiver credit to post to your BARC account and update your status in our system.
Important Notice
A new waiver form MUST be submitted every academic year.
Note:
- Approved waiver(s) will remain in effect for the remainder of the current academic year (unless the student withdraws or cancels their enrollment).
- If you experience a loss of coverage and need to cancel your waiver, you must reach out to the insurance office at UCSB Student Health.
Waiving With Private Insurance
Your private insurance plan must provide UNRESTRICTED access to an in-network primary care physician (PCP), in-network hospital, and full non-emergency medical and behavioral health care within 50 miles of campus or the student's place of residence while attending school (e.g. a PPO type plan).
For Waived Students
The UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) fee is removed from your BARC account within 15 business days of your waiver being approved. If your UC SHIP Health Fee is not removed from your BARC account after 15 business days please contact the Insurance Office. Thank you for your patience!
Please Note: The Insurance Office performs routine semi-annual verification of insurance plans for students who were granted a waiver from the mandatory UCSB student health insurance program. Many insurance plans change every January, and those students who fail the verification process will be notified in a series of emails and/or text communications asking for proof of current insurance coverage. If a student does not provide their updated proof of insurance coverage for verification, they will be charged the quarterly premium for enrollment in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) on their next billing statement (BARC) and the student will be enrolled in UC SHIP.
Gaucho Access Plan (GAP)
GAP coverage ensures that registered students with APPROVED waivers have access to in-house medical care at UCSB Student Health at a full or substantial discount for most services. After you submit your AHP waiver, you will have the option to enroll in the Gaucho Access Plan (GAP).
For More Information
If you would like further information to help you decide if you should waive UC SHIP or stay enrolled, please contact the UCSB Student Health Insurance Office by email at shswaivers@sa.ucsb.edu.