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.
| Quarter | Waiver Period | Waiver Exception Window ($50 fee charged to BARC) |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | February 1, 2025 - March 13, 2025 | March 14, 2025 - March 31, 2025 |
|
Summer 2025 |
May 5, 2025 - June 17, 2025 | June 18, 2025 - July 1, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 | August 1, 2025 - September 7, 2025 | September 8, 2025 - September 19, 2025 |
A new waiver form MUST be submitted every academic year. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Waiver Criteria
| Private Insurance | Medi-Cal | International Health 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). Plans with an assigned PCP, such as HMO plans, must have the PCP assigned to the student within 50 miles of campus, or the student's local place of residence while attending school. For auditing purposes, the local PCP must be active by the time the student submits the waiver form. |
If you attempt to waive using Medi-Cal you must provide proof of active coverage (CA Benefits "BIC" Card does not suffice, you must include your Specific Plan Carrier Card or Eligibility Approval Letter showing active Medi-Cal Coverage). In order to waive with Medi-Cal, you will need to be assigned to Santa Barbara county OR have statewide coverage by the time you submit the waiver. Call 888-452-8609 if you need to update your coverage information. |
International students residing in the U.S. who plan to waive UC SHIP, have additional health insurance plan requirements. These requirements are listed in section IV of the Waiver Criteria PDF. Your plan coverage dates must match the UC SHIP coverage dates for each quarter. These dates are listed on the UC SHIP Academic Year website page, located under the Insurance/Billing tab. The spring and summer coverage term cannot be separated, even if you will not be taking summer courses. |
Are you waived, but need additional coverage?
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).
Contact Us
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.