Healthcare Waiver

Kender
Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:50:36 +0000

Doesn’t the new healthcare bill go into effect soon that will allow you to be covered until you’re 26? Unless your parents have one of those very few plans that is exempt, you should be in the clear.

From what I recall, CruzCare cannot be used as a substitute for USHIP. It is merely to allow students to have a prepaid option for on campus visits since many health insurance providers do not fully (if at all) cover a student on campus. Kaiser is one of the biggest culprits and, unfortunately, the nearest facility is in Santa Clara County.

Perhaps I’m biased since I paid out of pocket for private health insurance, but USHIP is incredibly cheap. My individual plan was nearly $200 per month with Kaiser and was about to get another increase shortly after I transferred if I had not dropped it. Note that I am a decently healthy individual and I was still required to pay such a high amount. With USHIP, I pay a little more for my prescriptions and now have to pay for a regular shot I receive, but I’m no longer paying a co-pay for visits and I have better coverage overall.

Anywho, yes, USHIP is charged per quarter and you must submit a waiver every quarter. You can waive it for fall quarter and allow it to take effect for winter quarter if this is what you need. You should never be without health insurance if you can help it. There is a reason that health insurance is required by the UCs. You should contact the insurance office to be sure what the exact policy is, though, regarding changing your insurance midyear.