Greetings Student,
This week I will provide you with information regarding health insurance, the on-campus Student Health Center, and immunizations.
Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan (GSHIP)
All graduate students are required to have major medical health insurance as a non-academic condition of enrollment. GSHIP fees are assessed automatically as a part of your student fees unless you can demonstrate comparable major medical health insurance coverage with a waiver. The waiver worksheet (http://www.shs.uci.edu/Health_Insurance_Privacy/SHIPWAIVERFORMWORKSHEET-FALL2015.pdf) can help you identify services and level of coverage that are equivalent or better than GSHIP’s offerings. Finally, review all criteria for international students (http://www.shs.uci.edu/health_insurance_privacy/insurance.aspx#WaiverQ).
Read the GSHIP 2015-2016 Plan Benefits including medical, behavioral, vision, dental, and pharmacy benefits online (http://www.shc.uci.edu/health_insurance_privacy/insurance.aspx).
UCI Student Health Center
Services at the UCI Student Health Center are available to all registered students. There may be different fees for services depending if you have GSHIP or health insurance from another provider.
The Student Health Center is a comprehensive outpatient clinic staffed with licensed primary care physicians, dentists, a physician assistant, registered nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. Medical specialists from various disciplines including dermatology, orthopedics/sports medicine, gynecology, internal medicine, ENT, and psychiatry provide on-site consultation on a regular basis. Student Health also offers basic radiology and clinical laboratory services, insurance consultation, and an on-site pharmacy, making this a comprehensive and convenient clinic dedicated to serving students.
UCI Student Health Center launched a new after-hours nurse advice line that is available to all registered students, which is helpful when medical advice is needed after the Student Health Center is closed. (http://www.shs.uci.edu/documents/After-Hours-Advice-Line.pdf)
You can review extensive information on their services, how to make an appointment, and office hours on their website. (http://www.shs.uci.edu/general_information/About_US.aspx).
Immunizations
As a new student, the Student Health Center strongly encourages you to be immunized. The admission health requirements are posted online (http://www.shc.uci.edu/Admission_Health_Requirements/AdmissionHealthRequirements-StudentHealthCenter-UCI.aspx). Complete the Incoming Student Health Form (http://www.shc.uci.edu/Main/IncomingStudentHealthForm2015-2016_DRAFT_04162015_MU.pdf) and submit by mail, fax (949) 824-3033, or in-person. If you wish to complete your immunizations when you arrive on campus, you can call to schedule an appointment with a nurse at (949) 824-5304.
Graduate InterConnect Blog
Read the blog (https://ucirvinegradinterconnect.wordpress.com/) for more information to help your arrival preparation and to get to know the Graduate InterConnect Mentors. We will post different topics each week that include our personal experiences and tips.
Graduate Student Orientation
Register for both UCI graduate orientation events (September 17 and 18). Review emails from the Graduate Orientation Planning Team for specific details and registration. Your schedule of orientation events is as follows:
- Thursday, September 17 (12:00pm–5:00pm)
- International New Graduate Student Orientation
- International Master’s and Ph.D. students only
- Friday, September 18 (8:30am–6:00pm)
- Campuswide New Graduate Student Orientation
- All incoming Master’s and Ph.D. students
Register now for both events: https://ucigrad.hobsonsradius.com/ssc/eform/N6703IM0868Ex6700kx826.ssc.
I hope you found this information useful in your preparation to come to UCI. Let me know if you have other questions.
Sincerely,
Your Graduate InterConnect Peer Mentor