SHIP Waiver Requirements

Waiver Criteria for Berkeley SHIP 2026-27 (Effective 7/1/2026) 

PLEASE NOTE: Students who waived enrollment in SHIP in any previous term are required to waive each Fall. Failure to apply for a new waiver each Fall by the established deadline will result in the student being enrolled in SHIP and charged the premium on their campus tuition bill. See our waiver period deadlines.

I. All plans must have health insurance that meets Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC). 

Note: MEC means that your insurance covers non-emergency medical care, such as regular doctor visits and ongoing treatment-not just emergency rooms visits. 

II. Coverage is currently active and the student agrees to maintain health coverage throughout the entire academic year 8/1/26 - 12/31/26 (Fall) and 1/1/27 - 7/31/27 (Spring).

Note: If your coverage is terminated or has a change, please contact the Student Health Insurance Office immediately.

III. To satisfy UC’s health insurance requirement for enrolled students, the plan held by the student must meet all of the following criteria (this applies to all students regardless of gender): 

  1. Be a Medi-Cal/Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE/Military, Covered California or other U.S. federal or state exchange plan, or a UC Employee Health Plan, OR
  2. Be an employer-sponsored group health plan or individual plan that covers the 10 essential health benefits:
    1. Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)
    2. Emergency services
    3. Hospitalization (like surgery and overnight stays)
    4. Pregnancy, maternity and newborn care (both before and after birth)
    5. Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (this includes counseling and psychotherapy) 6
    6. Prescription drugs
    7. Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)
    8. Laboratory services
    9. Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management including birth control and breastfeeding coverage
    10. Pediatric services, including oral and vision care (but adult dental and vision coverage are not essential health benefits) 

IV. For international students, the following additional criteria apply. The plan must:

  1. Have a complete master policy written in standard English with benefits expressed in U.S. dollars.
  2. Pay at least $50,000 annually for medical evacuation.
  3. Pay at least $25,000 for repatriation of remains. 

Topics

SHIP Insurance topic page