SHIP--waive or not

nancho42
Sat, 19 Jun 2010 01:31:53 +0000

CollegeBound–you are automatically enrolled in SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan) and charged something around $1500 for the year. If you have no health insurance, this is probably a pretty good deal, although I really can’t say what it would cost to get something on your own. The issue is whether it is worth keeping SHIP if you already have some kind of health insurance. Some insurers will let you use the Student Health Svcs on campus and will reimburse you for some of the cost, according to your plan. Kaiser will not let you do this. Thanks anon5524485 for the info about getting to the Oakland Kaiser via BART. That’s good to know.

Anyway, for those of you who are confused about the waiving thing–if you do nothing, you will be enrolled in SHIP and charged accordingly. If you have sufficient health insurance and feel you (or your student) can navigate within the plan’s parameters (which may mean getting on the BART if healthcare is needed, versus going to the student health center on campus), you can save yourself a bit of money by waiving. You have waive by July 15th.

Thanks everyone for all your input. It has been helpful to me.