Post by: Darley Chen, Peer Mentor 202
UCI Student Health Insurance
When you get admitted as a UCI graduate student, it is required to have health insurance to get enrolled.
UCI has its own health insurance called GSHIP, which is “Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan”. For more information on GSHIP benefits and its coverage, you can check out the Student Health Center website. You will find the UC SHIP brochure, Plan Booklet, Pharmacy benefits, etc. You can also look for related information on incoming students and international students web pages.
Normally, the incoming graduate students, especially international students, will be automatically enrolled in GSHIP, and the insurance fee will be combined with the tuition as a part of the enrollment fee on your zot account.
UCI GSHIP is a great insurance plan and at the same time, it costs higher. Some students might face cost concerns and would not want to be enrolled in UC SHIP. If you have comparable insurance plan, it’s acceptable to apply for a UC SHIP waiver within the posted waiver periods and by the deadline date. However, you need to make sure you meet the eligibility of the waiver. For more detail and information, you can also check the same sources mentioned above.
To my knowledge, students who have GSHIP can do an annual physical examination, annual eye/dental exam, and annual women’s check for free. If you feel ill and would like to schedule an appointment, you can go to the student health portal, click “Appointments” or book a consultation through a phone call. In most cases, the consultation fee with doctors is waived, and you only need to make copayments on the medication. Some of these care services are not available at SHC. Students are required to find other available care providers.
UCI Student Health Center (SHC)
During the pandemic, Student Health Center is not allowed to enter except for those who have appointments and emergencies. After the pandemic is getting control, now it is back to normal. However, you still need to schedule an appointment in advance. Student Health Center doesn’t accept any walk-in cases.
UCI Student Health Center is located right next to the Law & Education School. It is approximately a 5-minutes walk from Merage School of Business to the Student Health Center. It is open 8 am – 5 pm on weekdays except on Wednesday (9 am – 5 pm) and is closed on weekends and UCI holidays.
Just a reminder, COVID-19 testing is on the first floor of the Student Center instead of the Student Health Center. Basically, you can check the student health portal for the COVID-19 testing results and the consultation notes with doctors at SHC. If you prefer Telehealth appointments to an in-person one, you can also request one when you contact Student Health Center.
If you have serious symptoms or need special treatment that SHC doesn’t provide, the doctors will provide you referral to an outside provider. You can also check the information of outside providers through the insurance office (shc-insurance@uci.edu or 949-824-2388).