SHIP Updates

SHIP Updates for the 2026-27 Plan Year

New Health Insurance Carrier 

Effective August 1, 2026, our new health insurance carrier for Berkeley SHIP will be Aetna Student Health.

Plan Benefits

Berkeley SHIP offers comprehensive medical/mental health (Aetna Student Health), dental (MetLife), and vision (VSP) coverage including:

  • 80% coverage for in-network medical services 

  • $15 co-pay for primary care, specialists, and mental health office visits (no charge for counseling at the Tang Center)

  • No cost-sharing for medical expenses incurred for the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and cervical pre-cancer at the Tang Center and with in-network providers

  • $10 generic prescriptions and reduced copays at the Tang Pharmacy

  • Two dental exams and cleanings; $2,000 dental benefit maximum per year

  • $10 co-pay for eye exams and $150 annual allowance for glasses or contact lens

  • PPO plan with coverage throughout the US and International

  • 24/7 telemedicine visits and Advice Nurse Line

Additional medical/mental health benefit and coverage details are available on the Aetna Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Plan Design and Benefits Summary. 

Aetna Formulary 

SHIP Coverage Periods  

  • Fall 2026: August 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026
  • Spring 2027: January 1, 2027 to July 31, 2027 

SHIP Eligibility & Activation

Each semester registered students must be enrolled in a minimum of 0.5 units to be eligible for SHIP and to begin the enrollment process. SHIP coverage will then be activated within 3-5 business days with an effective date of August 1, 2026 for the fall semester or January 1, 2027 for the spring semester.

Incoming Graduate Students - SHIP Eligibility 

Eligibility for SHIP is determined by registration in classes. Some graduate programs do not offer class registration until the week, or even the day, before classes begin. As such, SHIP eligibility and access to UHS medical care might be delayed until the end of August or early September. If you are currently taking a prescribed medication, please contact your previous health care provider for a refill to last until September. If your program does not allow for early class registration but you need to be seen for medical care at UHS in August, please contact the SHIP office at 510-642-5700.

How to Access Care

  • UHS: All registered students have access to services at UHS. Some services may be offered virtually. Visit the appointments page for more information.
  • Medical & Mental Health: To locate in-network healthcare and mental health providers or check if your current provider is in the network, use Aetna’s provider search tool. Enter your location (zip, city, county or state), then select “Open Choice PPO” under “Student Health Medical Plans in California”.
  • Dental: For in-network dental providers, visit the SHIP dental page for more information.
  • Vision: For in-network vision providers, visit the SHIP vision page for more information.
  • Other UC Campuses Student Health Centers:
    • The student health center (SHC) at each University of California campus gladly offers reciprocal access to currently registered students from all other UC campuses under the same conditions that apply to its own students. 
    • If you visit an SHC at another campus, you may need to pay out of pocket for any services you receive and submit a claim for reimbursement. Please contact the SHC or Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) of the UC campus you plan to visit or check their website for more information about available services and fees.

SHIP Referrals 

Effective March 16, 2020, no referrals from University Health Services are needed before accessing medical and mental health care until further notice. Most providers should not require any documentation. However, if needed, you can take this UHS letter. 

Termination of Coverage Requests

Starting July 1, 2026, students may request to terminate SHIP coverage during the policy year under certain circumstances (e.g., upon graduation, withdrawal, or leave of absence) and receive a prorated refund for the period in which they are not covered. More information will be available soon.

How to Reach the SHIP Office

  • Location: Room 3200 in the Tang Center (third floor)
    • In-Person Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9 am-12 pm & 1-4:30 pm | Wednesday: 9:30 am-12 pm & 1-4:30 pm
  • Phone: (510) 642-5700
    • Phone Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 8 am-12 pm & 1-4:45 pm | Wednesday: 9:30 am-12 pm & 1-4:45 pm
  • Email: ship@berkeley.edu 
  • Send secure messages through MyUCBerkeleyHealth