Navigating UCLA Medical Insurance Plans: A Comprehensive Guide

Enrolling at UCLA involves navigating various requirements, and health insurance is a crucial one. To register at UCLA, all students must be enrolled in a qualified health insurance plan. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the medical insurance options and requirements for students and employees at UCLA, including UC SHIP, waiver processes, access to Ashe Center services, and insurance options for UCLA Extension students.

Mandatory Health Insurance for UCLA Students

Health insurance is mandatory for all UCLA registered students. To ensure that all students have adequate health coverage, UCLA automatically enrolls undergraduates in the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP). The cost of coverage through UC SHIP is included as part of your Student Services Fees.

UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP)

UC SHIP is a systemwide plan providing enhanced health benefits to all enrolled students. As a comprehensive health plan, UC SHIP offers a wide range of medical services, ensuring students have access to quality healthcare. All registered students are automatically enrolled in UCSHIP.

Waiving UC SHIP Coverage

Students who already have comparable health insurance coverage may choose to waive enrollment in UC SHIP. If you have comparable insurance and you do not want to keep UCSHIP as dual coverage, you must submit a request to waive enrollment by the specified deadline. To waive UC SHIP, students must demonstrate that their existing plan meets specific requirements set by the university. If your plan does meet the requirements, you can complete an online waiver so you won’t be enrolled in UC SHIP.

Waiver Process

In recent years, we have simplified the waiver process to be fully-automated for your convenience, but please remember that approved waivers are valid for the academic year in which they are approved, a new waiver application must be submitted each academic year to avoid automatic enrollment. A waiver must be completed every academic year, so if you have a qualifying insurance plan and successfully waive UC SHIP in the fall, no further actions will be needed until the next academic year. For information about the waiver process, including academic calendars, waiver criteria, and the waiver application link, visit the UCSHIP Waivers page.

Accessing Care at the Ashe Center

Regardless of their insurance plan, all UCLA students have access to Ashe Center services. The Ashe Center serves as every UCSHIP student's medical home. Medical services must be initiated at The Ashe Center and a referral are required for all non-emergent services outside of The Ashe Center. Before seeking medical or mental health treatment anywhere outside of the Ashe Center or CAPS (e.g.

BruinCare Program

Waiving UCSHIP? The Ashe Center wants all UCLA students to feel comfortable accessing all of their medical needs through our facility, which is why we developed BruinCare. While many students waive UCSHIP, these students are likely to still utilize Ashe services because of our center's convenience and central location. All registered students can utilize The Ashe Center. BruinCare is a program that gives students who have waived UC SHIP prepaid access to certain services at the Ashe Center. Though small fees apply for services rendered, BruinCare ensures that all students can conveniently access essential healthcare services on campus.

Optometry Services

Visit U See LA Optometry in Ackerman Union for all your eye care needs. The availability of optometry services on campus adds to the comprehensive healthcare resources accessible to students.

Health Insurance for UCLA Extension Students

All international students in F-1 status at UCLA Extension are required to have health insurance, which also must include repatriation (return) of remains and medical evacuation coverages. This requirement ensures that international students have adequate coverage for medical emergencies and repatriation needs.

Coverage Requirements

Students must demonstrate that they have insurance coverage each quarter by submitting documentation showing proof of coverage upon their arrival when going through the check-in process, if this is their first quarter at UCLA Extension, or by uploading documentation into their returning student application for each quarter they continue studying with UCLA Extension. The coverage must extend to the last day the student will attend UCLA Extension, including vacations, during school breaks between academic quarters, and OPT/CPT participation. The start and end dates of each quarter can be found on the Academic Calendar. for 60 days after the program concludes.

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Policy Specifications

The policy cannot have a deductible or out-of-pocket expense of more than $1,500 per illness or injury for in-network coverage. UCLA Extension strongly encourages students to purchase an insurance policy that includes coverage for Outpatient/Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Substance Abuse conditions. Students are highly encouraged to purchase an insurance policy that includes coverage for pre-existing conditions, which is not always included in an insurance policy. It is important to review the insurance policy and make a personal and informed decision determining if there is a need to purchase a plan that covers pre-existing medical conditions.

Student Responsibility

UCLA and UCLA Extension take no responsibility for the insurance policy purchased by students; students are solely responsible for reviewing and purchasing a policy that meets the minimum requirements outlined above. UCLA Extension does not endorse, recommend, or sponsor any insurance company or insurance policy. If your dependents are uninsured it can and likely will be prohibitively expensive if medical care is required, and the student will be responsible for the costs of their care.

Orientation Programming

We also offer robust orientation programming prior to the quarter start. These programs often include information about health insurance options and resources available to students.

Employee Health Benefits at UC

Benefits are an important part of your University of California total compensation package. To meet the varied health care and insurance needs of its employees and their families, UC offers a wide range of benefit plans. These plans cover medical, dental, and vision care, ensuring employees have access to comprehensive health services. UC-sponsored medical, dental and vision plans are not subject to pre-existing condition clauses.

Your Group Insurance Plans Booklet

The Your Group Insurance Plans booklet provides a summary of the UC-sponsored benefit plans available and covers plan options, plan coverage and enrollment. Subject to plan amendments, the benefits information in the Your Group Insurance Plans is effective January 1st through December 31st of each year. This booklet serves as a valuable resource for employees to understand their benefit options and make informed decisions.

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Fall Enrollment

Fall enrollment is open, and closes September 28. Employees should take note of these deadlines to ensure they enroll in their desired health plans on time.

Additional Resources

Insurance Office Announcements

4th Floor Insurance Window If The Ashe Center 4th Floor Insurance Window is closed or unavailable during your visit, students are encouraged to send secure messages through MyStudentChart to expedite your inquiry. Alternately, you can use the Contact Us Insurance inbox below.

Contact Us Inbox

For insurance-related inquiries, students can use the Contact Us Inbox.

1095 Forms and UCSHIP

Form 1095-B is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) document that may be used as proof that a person had qualifying health care coverage that counts as Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) during a tax year.

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