Academic Year 2025-2026
| Quarter | Coverage Period | Undergraduate Premium | Education Abroad Program Premium* (UNDERGRAD ONLY) | Graduate Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | September 21, 2025 - January 4, 2026 | $1,242.68 | $443.00 | $2,865.75 |
| Winter 2026 | January 5, 2026 - March 29, 2026 | $1,242.68 | $443.00 | $2,865.75 |
| Spring 2026 | March 30, 2026 - September 19, 2026 | $1,242.68 | $443.00 | $2,865.75 |
Academic Year 2026-2027
| Quarter | Coverage Period | Undergraduate Premium | Education Abroad Program Premium* (UNDERGRAD ONLY) | Graduate Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | September 20, 2026 - January 2, 2027 | $1,336.28 | $484.34 | $3,128.25 |
| Winter 2027 | January 3, 2027 - March 27, 2027 | $1,336.28 | $484.34 | $3,128.25 |
| Spring 2027 | March 28, 2027 - September 14, 2027 | $1,336.28 | $484.34 | $3,128.25 |
*If you do not waive out of UCSHIP (or your waiver is denied) then you will be billed for UCSHIP at a reduced rate for EAP participants to your UCSB BARC account. The reduced rate premium includes the "medical only" portion of the UC SHIP bundle. Dental and Vision coverage will not be offered during EAP quarters. The EAP "medical only" rate is available to UCSB EAP participants during their quarter(s) abroad. All students studying in the U.S. will pay the full bundled rate for UC SHIP. See full coverage information for UC SHIP here.
Summer 2026 Early Start Programs
| Summer Program | Coverage Period | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Summer Start Program (FSSP) | July 30, 2026 - September 19, 2026 | $571.12 |
| Transfer Edge (TE) | July 30, 2026 - September 19, 2026 | $571.12 |
| Teacher Education Program (TEP) | June 22, 2026 - September 19, 2026 | $2,119.87 |
| Masters of Environment Data Science (MEDS) | July 29, 2026 - September 19, 2026 | $1,362.73 |
UC SHIP Referral Requirement
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Any time you are accessing services under UC SHIP within 50 miles of UCSB campus, you need a referral -except for emergency room care, urgent care clinics, pediatric care, obstetrics services, gynecological care, and LiveHealth Online virtual visits. For non-emergency or non-urgent medical care within 50 miles of UCSB, you must seek treatment with a Student Health provider (during regular hours of operation).
Student Health providers will issue you a referral when additional care or a specialist is needed. Care under UC SHIP outside of the 50 mile radius does not require a referral, with the exception of gender affirming services.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Without a referral from Student Health, some care will not be covered by UC SHIP. When necessary, be sure to get a referral so you are not stuck with an unexpected bill to pay.
How do I get a Referral
For Students seeking care inside of the 50-mile radius from UCSB:
To request a referral, go to your MyHealth portal, select messages, then new messages for student health, and scroll down to find the option to request a referral. Fill out the information requested.
Dependents under a Student’s Plan:
You must seek care from off-campus providers – no referral required.
Dual Insurance Coverage:
If you have another private Insurance plan, your private insurance may become your Primary Insurance plan when off campus. A referral will be necessary to submit any claims your private insurance may not cover. For important details about dual insurance coverage, click the button below.
24 Hour Telemedicine Care
Students enrolled in UC SHIP can connect with a board-certified medical provider or other certified medical professionals by web, mobile app, or phone 24 hours a day / 7 days a week using the LiveHealth Online service.
Therapist zoom appointments are available 7 days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Recurring appointments can be scheduled with the same provider. (No copays / no referral needed)
LiveHealth bills UC SHIP insurance directly. LiveHealth Benefits Coverage details here | Easy step-by-step instructions (LiveHealth Flyer)
Emergency Care
Hospital Emergency Room services - No referral needed. All Hospital ER Claims are subject to review by Anthem Blue Cross and must qualify under the definition "emergency" in the UC SHIP Medical Benefits Booklet.
Note - Cottage Hospital Emergency Room Providers are considered "in-network" when claims are billed to Anthem Blue Cross.
UC SHIP (Anthem) Provider Network - Search by Zip Code Nationwide
UC SHIP/Anthem Member Services Line
866-940-8306
Graduate Student Registration and UC SHIP Enrollment
If you are a graduate student, we encourage you to register at least two weeks before the start of the quarter to avoid delays in accessing UC SHIP benefits. Generally, UC SHIP enrollment files will take approximately two weeks from the date of registration to fully process. For example, if you register on the first day of the quarter, your insurance coverage will not appear active with community providers or pharmacies for approximately two weeks, therefore you will be unable to access your insurance benefits during that time.
Once UC SHIP becomes active, it will backdate to the beginning of the insurance term for that quarter. For services needed during those first two weeks, you may be able to be seen at UCSB Student Health Service. If you need care outside of Student Health Service while waiting for your UC SHIP account to activate, you have the option to pay for services out of pocket and complete a claim form for the appropriate reimbursement of covered services. Claim forms can be found on the UC SHIP Benefit and Plan Coverage page.
For Additional Plan Information:
Our Insurance Advisors can be reached via email at SHSinsurance@sa.ucsb.edu. Your email will be responded to within one (1) business day.