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Student Health Insurance Plan
Insurance Requirements & General Plan Overview

Important Message for Undergraduate Students

Beginning Fall 2009, undergraduate students must pay fees by the registration fee payment deadline to avoid being dropped from classes. More information about the drop for non-payment policy is available on the Registrar's website. See how this new policy applies to the SHIP Waiver Application.

Waiver applications are now available online for the 2009-2010 academic year.

The University of California requires that all students have health insurance. To help you meet this requirement, UC Davis automatically enrolls all registered students in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Fees for SHIP coverage are charged to your student account each school term along with your registration fees. If you have comparable health insurance and do not want to be enrolled in SHIP, you may apply for a SHIP waiver.

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is designed specifically for UC Davis students with both Davis area and worldwide coverage. SHIP includes medical, dental, and vision benefits for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.

SHIP does not provide health insurance coverage for the dependents of UC Davis students. However, the student health center provides information and counseling for dependents regarding available health insurance options.

Student Health Services Partners with Anthem Blue Cross, Delta Dental, and VSP

The UC Davis student health care package combines primary care services offered by Student Health Services (SHS) at Cowell Student Health Center (CSHC) with medical insurance provided through Anthem Blue Cross, dental coverage provided through Delta Dental and Vision through Vision Service Plan (VSP). Together, the medical, dental and vision insurance form the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP).

Student Health Services (SHS)

SHS is partially supported by student fees, and all registered students may use SHS services at low student rates whether or not they have SHIP. SHS is located in the center of campus at the Cowell Student Health Center. Services include primary and urgent care, women’s health, allergy, dermatology, orthopedics, sports medicine, physical therapy, internal medicine, neurology, massage, and acupuncture. In addition, SHS has clinical laboratory and diagnostic radiology services, a pharmacy and preventive self-care services.

The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

SHIP is comprehensive medical insurance designed to provide convenient and affordable access to medical care beyond what SHS is able to provide. SHIP also covers certain services at the student health center, including pharmacy and physical therapy. Additionally, SHIP provides excellent preventive and basic dental coverage and vision coverage for services that are easily accessible in Davis and throughout the USA.

SHIP 2009-2010 Academic Year - Vital Statistics

All students who are enrolled in SHIP during the 2009-2010 academic year are covered by the Anthem Blue Cross medical plan, Delta dental plan, and VSP vision plan. The medical and dental plans provide worldwide coverage with extensive provider networks throughout the United States.

The SHIP medical plan is a modified Anthem Blue Cross PPO plan

That is uniquely combined with the Student Health Services at UC Davis. Students receive primary care at Student Health Services at student rates. When students are referred for care beyond the health center, SHIP pays:

  • 80% of in-network professional services (50% out-of-network)
  • 90% of in-network hospital services (50% out-of-network)
  • 100% of covered expenses after you have incurred $3,000 in out-of-pocket costs for in-network covered services ($5,000 for out-of-network services)

Members pay the first $200 of covered expenses annually (this is your “annual deductible” of $200). In addition to comprehensive low-cost medical coverage, the SHIP medical plan includes pharmacy coverage both on and off campus with a $5,000 maximum benefit.

The SHIP dental plan is a Delta Dental DPO/PPO plan

That covers the following when services are received from a Delta dentist:

  • 100% of diagnostic and preventive services (two exams and cleanings per year)
  • 90% of “basic” services (fillings, extractions, etc.)

Students may choose any dentist, when you visit a Delta Dental PPO dentist, your dental plan maximum will be $850 (instead of $750). Please Note: Your annual maximum benefit increase only applies to visits to Delta Dental PPO dentists, otherwise your annual maximum benefit remains the same at $750.

The SHIP fees for registered students are:

  • Undergraduate students: $349 per quarter (fall, winter, spring)
  • Graduate and Professional students: $653 per quarter (fall, winter, spring)
  • Law students: $979 per semester (fall, spring).
  • Payment of these fees provides year-round coverage (see "Costs and Dates of Coverage" for coverage details).

Resources: 2009-2010 Academic Year

If you are looking for information about the 2008-2009 academic year plan,
please go to the SHIP 2008-2009 Plan page

How to Waive SHIP

If you have comparable health insurance and want to waive participation in SHIP for the 2009-2010 academic year, you may file a SHIP waiver application on-line. If you do not file a waiver application, you will be automatically enrolled in SHIP and the SHIP fee will be billed to your student account along with your registration fees. More information about waiving SHIP.

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