Students

Health Insurance After Graduation

If you are a student who has graduated this semester, or if you are losing UC SHIP eligibility because you are no longer a registered student at UC Berkeley, it is important to plan ahead for continuing health coverage.

If your final semester is a spring semester, your last day of UC SHIP coverage is August 14. If your final semester is a fall semester, your last day of UC SHIP coverage is January 14.

Insurance After Graduation Workshops
The Student Health Insurance Office at UC Berkeley offers insurance workshops twice a year at the end of each semester.
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Selecting a Plan A variety of plans are available for you to purchase once your UC SHIP coverage expires. Plan types include short term coverage or 'gap' coverage, individual monthly plans that you must qualify for based on your health history, a ‘guaranteed issue’ conversion plan for persons with ongoing medical conditions, and public health insurance programs. The major carriers in California — including Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Kaiser, and Health Net — offer many plans with different combinations of premiums, deductibles and benefits (see definitions below).

If you would like to speak with someone at the Student Health Insurance Office for more information, please call (510) 642-5742. We are happy to work with you to help you fully understand your options.

NOTE: We recommend you call us, email us or stop by the office (located on the third floor of the Tang Center) to obtain a Certificate of Group Health Plan Coverage as proof of your continuous insurance coverage. This may help you avoid being subject to pre-existing condition exclusions when you sign up for a new health insurance plan.

Please Note: This site is provided as a service to students. It is not meant as a University endorsement of any insurance company, plan or broker. The information provided is a summary only and is subject to change. Contact the insurance company or a broker for additional plan details and the most current information about eligibility and benefits.
Continuation of UC SHIP After Graduation Students enrolled in UC SHIP may continue UC SHIP for one semester after graduation; see more information here.

STEPS TO ENROLL

  1. ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR UC SHIP VOLUNTARY PLAN: Fall semester enrollment period is July 15-September 15 with an effective coverage date of August 15 and Spring semester enrollment period is December 15-February 15 with an effective coverage date of January 15.
  2. ENROLLMENT PROCESS: Enrollment is handled by Wells Fargo Insurance Services, a third party administrator. Enroll by phone (800) 853-5899 or send enrollment form (see form below) and payment by mail or fax: Wells Fargo Insurance Services, 11017 Cobblerock Drive, Ste. 100, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670, Fax (916) 231-0527.
Contact Information Brokers:
Barney and Barney LLC
  • Barney and Barney LLC (formerly Saylor and Hill Co.), UC Berkeley's health insurance broker through 2011 for SHIP, can provide assistance with selecting and applying for a plan. There is no fee for their service. Visit their flyer here or visit http://www.barneyandbarney.com/individual-family-students/ or call (877) 428-5578.
E-Health Insurance
  • E-Health Insurance is a licensed online broker site that allows you to get quotes, compare plans, and apply for health insurance online. Visit http://www.ehealthinsurance.com or call (800) 977-8860.
Marsh Affinity Group Services
  • The California Alumni Association partners with Marsh Affinity Group Services, an insurance broker, to offer health insurance services to UC Berkeley alumni, including new graduates. Alumni are able to purchase Blue Shield plans at slightly discounted rates. Newly graduated students may be eligible for "guaranteed acceptance" by paying a hgiher premium (certain conditions apply). Visit http://alumni.berkeley.edu/Discounts_and_Services/main.asp and click on "Finance and Insurance," or call Marsh (877) 249-7868.

PPO and HMO insurance companies:

Public Health Insurance Programs

Other Insurance Plans in California:

Definitions

Premium The rate you pay to be enrolled in an insurance plan, usually monthly.
Co-pay The fixedamount of money you need to pay out-of-pocket for services in addition to insurance carrier payment. Note that some lans may not pay for some services until you meet your deductible
Coinsurance Percentage of fees for services you must pay for a service, in addition to what the plan pays. Note that some plans may not pay for some services until after you meet your deductible.
Deductible The initial, fixed amount of money you need to pay out-of-pocket before the insurance carrier will pay for medical services.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum Limit to dollar amount you have to pay out of your own pocket for covered health care services during set time period, e.g., yearly.
PPO Preferred Provider Plan. A plan in which you have direct access to providers in the plan network, as well as other providers at a higher cost.
Preferred, Participating or In-Network Providers A group of medical providers (doctors, hospitals and othe rmedical facilities) that contract with an insurance carrier to provide services at a negotiated or contracted rate as full payment for services. Network providers cannot 'balance bill' the insured for the unpaid amount.
Limited Benefit PPO Some PPO plans have lower premiums because certain benefits are not included, such as maternity or full prescription drug plans.
Covered Expenses (“UCR”) Expenses are tied to insurer’s fee reimbursement schedule that is based on “usual, customary and reasonable charges” (non-network providers).
HMO Health Maintenance Organization. A pre-paid health plan in which you must choose a primary care physician who coordinates all your care with providers in the plan network.
Inpatient Services rendered in a hospital after you are admitted, typically involving an overnight stay.
Guaranteed Issue A legal requirement that health plans must permit you to enroll regardless of your health status, age, gender, or other factors that might predict your use of health services, such as a pre-existing condition. This means that you cannot be denied insurance because of your prior medical history.

Also see: UHS Eligibility Schedule (Time limits on when students can use UHS)

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