Welcome to the new UCSB Student Health Insurance FAQs page!
Submit a waiver form through AHP using the link below. Scroll down, and look for the blue button, “submit insurance waiver form online”.
No. Travel insurance does not qualify for the insurance waiver.
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). HMO plans that require an assigned PCP must have one assigned within 50 miles of campus or the student's place of residence while attending school.
If you have an HMO and your waiver was denied for the 50 mile radius requirement, you will need to change your in-network coverage area and primary care provider to within 50 miles of UCSB, revise your waiver and resubmit when the new PCP is active. Please do this as soon as possible to avoid missing the waiver deadline.
Waivers can take about two weeks to process during August and September. During the rest of the year, waivers process in about a week.
Fall 2023 - 7/21/23 - 10/02/23
Winter 2023 - 11/01/23 - 1/02/24
Spring 2024 - 02/01/24 - 04/01/24
For more information:
UC SHIP Academic Year 2023-24 | Student Health Service
You will receive an email from AHP confirming your submission. After reviewing the waiver, AHP will email you if they need more information, or you will receive an email from AHP stating that your waiver has been approved or denied. If your waiver was denied, AHP will tell you the reason.
Yes, you can change or add supporting documents within the waiver period by logging into your AHP account, revising the information and resubmitting. This will trigger a new audit/review.
Waiver criteria is subject to change. Please review the waiver criteria every August, before submitting your waiver application.
Once per academic year in the fall.
Please see the important notice using this link:
Waiving UC SHIP Health Insurance | Student Health Service
When you submit your AHP waiver, you will be asked if you would like to opt-in for GAP. Your GAP election will then be confirmed on your AHP waiver approval email. If you would like to enroll, but did not elect GAP during the waiver process, email the insurance team during the appropriate waiver period and request GAP enrollment.
Pay your balance in full by the deadline or contact the BARC office to request a payment plan. A credit will be issued on BARC for the UC SHIP insurance fee within 15 business days of your AHP waiver approval email.
Any time you are accessing services under UC SHIP within 50 miles of UCSB campus, you need a referral. In your Gateway patient portal, select messages, then new messages, and scroll down to find the option to request a referral. Fill out the information requested.
Fees will vary.
Please see the price for common services sheet on the student health website for a list of common services and fees:
Prices For Common Services
Explore insurance coverage information on the UC SHIP coverage page for medical, dental, vision, behavioral health and pharmacy services.
UC SHIP is a nationwide/global PPO insurance plan. Please note that within 50 miles of campus, UC SHIP works like an HMO, where you must obtain a referral from student health. Download the Sydney Health app to search for in-network providers using your zip code.
By downloading the SYDNEY HEALTH app.
You can find the links to all the apps associated with UC SHIP here:
UC EAP students will be charged a reduced rate for UC SHIP. There will be no vision or dental coverage during your EAP quarter(s). This fee is in addition to the travel insurance included in your EAP fees.
While out of the country your health care will be coordinated through ANTHEM GLOBAL CORE.
Yes. If you paid for UC SHIP for spring quarter, it will include summer at no additional charge, whether you have graduated after spring quarter or not. Since UC SHIP is a PPO plan with Global Core benefits, you can use it while at home or while traveling until the plan’s termination date.
No. We do not have a summer only insurance option.
No, not beyond the regular insurance term dates. There is a one quarter grace period for students after graduation to use the Student Health Center only, at fee for service.
For details, click here:
Insurance After Graduation | Student Health Service
Submitting a question to the insurance office is easy. This gives the insurance team the opportunity to research the answer for you if needed, and to reply to you with helpful information. Your email will be answered within one business day.
Our email is: shsinsurance@sa.ucsb.edu
Enroll your dependents voluntarily, directly through AHP. Use the link below to get started.
Leave of Absence, Students on Canceled or Withdrawn Status, & Dependent Enrollment
Please visit the medical records page of the student health website. Fill out the authorization form provided and send it along with your request to the medical records office. Medical Records | Student Health Service
Immunizations | Student Health Service
If you have further questions, please contact the immunization advisor by email at SHS shsentranceimmunizations@sa.ucsb.edu
No. When you have both plans and then attempt to use medical services through Medi-Cal, their system will show that you are enrolled in UC SHIP and this will usually end your Medi-Cal enrollment. If you are not comfortable paying the copays and coinsurance associated with services provided through UC SHIP, you can waive UC SHIP using your Medi-Cal if it is assigned to you in Santa Barbara County, or if you have statewide Medi-Cal coverage. If you choose to waive UC SHIP, your insurance scholarship will usually pay for GAP instead. Opt in for GAP at the time you submit your waiver form.
Please click on the following links for more information.
When You Are Covered By Another Insurance Plan | Student Health Service