Just Two Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
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<p>Hi y'all, it'd be helpful if any of you can help me answer one or both of these questions:</p>

<p>1) Is Freshman Edge necessary? I mean it's on My Checklist for myBerkeleyApplication--due May 31--so I'm just wondering if it's like a MUST thing 'cause I don't want to take summer classes this year.</p>

<p>2) I think Medi-cal is considered government insurance (correct me if I'm wrong), does that mean I have to buy Berkeley's insurance, aka SHIP, because the school website says one must have private insurance in order to waive it?</p>

<p>Thanks for the response; it's much appreciated! :)</p>

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<p>1.) Nope, it’s optional. You can do it if you wish to have a head start in the Fall. Opting it out is totally fine.</p>

<p>2.) Medi-cal does count as a type of insurance since the waiver customer support has confirmed that with me. In order for Medi-cal to qualify, you must ask your caseworker to transfer your Medi-cal from where you are currently living to Alameda county. I haven’t done it yet, so I’m not too sure how it will work. </p>

<p>Hope that’ll help :D!</p>

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<p>If you’re getting financial aid, chances are that you can get SHIP for free.</p>

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<p>My parents said that Medi-cal in the long run will be better than any insurances since you don’t need to pay for anything (check up, dental benifits, etc…). I was leaning for SHIP too, so I’m still confused. Do you know which is better Liquidus?</p>

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<p>Medical covers dental?</p>

<p>If SHIP is free, there’s no reason not to get it. In addition, being able to walk to the Tang Center for all your medical needs is very convenient.</p>

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<p>I believe so. I told them that SHIP will be free, but they said that if I do take on another health insurance, my Medi-cal would be revoked. Yup, I do agree that a perk with SHIP is the Tang Center. </p>

<p>Are you a current SHIP user Liquidus?</p>

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<p>I waived SHIP in my first year not realizing that I could get it for free. I’ve used SHIP since then. Not only is the tang center close by, but I only have to walk a block to see my dentist. It doesn’t matter if your Medical is revoked since SHIP is way better and is year-round.</p>

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<p>So will financial aid cover everything including all the co-pay fee? Or will you have to come up with those co-pay fees? I think I might consider SHIP then…</p>

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<p>@MisterB7K: oh cool, thanks for answering!
@Liquidus: Yeah, I figured that I would get SHIP for free since my EFC is 0–I also called FA to check. But MisterB7K does bring up a good point, if I have SHIP then my Medi-cal might get revoked, which is bad 'cause my parents are relying on it and they have it because I’m still under 18 O_O…guess I gotta make some more calls</p>

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<p>Ah, tell me what you will end up doing bansun. I’m still lost if I should take on SHIP or keep Medi-cal…!</p>

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<p>You still have to pay the co-pays but that’s not a big deal since you’re only going to the Tang Center so often.</p>

<p>Not sure why it matters if your Medical is revoked, SHIP has everything you need.</p>

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<p>How much, on average, do you pay per year (out of your own pocket), Liquidus?</p>

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<p>Assuming I go to the SHIP Center twice and get one prescription, $40. This doesn’t count dental.</p>

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<p>btw, I just called my Medi-cal worker, she said it’s fine for me to get SHIP; it won’t affect Medi-cal, so problem solved! :D</p>

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<p>^^ Ahh you serious? That would be awesome news for me! So do we need to report SHIP to our Medi-cal worker or it just plain fine for Medi-cal sponsored students to have additional health insurance?</p>

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<p>I think it’s fine. I mean she didn’t say anything about reporting…lol, you can call to make sure if you want. I just like SHIP 'cause I wear glasses and the eye coverage is better than Medi-cal ;D</p>

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<p>^^^ Ahhh that’s the main thing I want about SHIP too lol!! I’m tired of the 2-3 years wait for a new pair of glasses :(! I rarely go to the doctor besides the yearly check up, so I doubt I’ll pay much for that. Main thing that I was excited about was the yearly $120 eye coverage :P.</p>

<p>Anyways, which phone number did you call? The one directly to your worker that takes care of your Medi-cal coverage? Or some department?</p>

<p>Thanks :D!</p>

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<p>ah sry, for some reason, i totally didn’t see this thread and forgot to reply!
but yea, i just called my worker directly :)</p>

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<p>how do you check if you’re eligible to receive SHIP for free? does it say it in our financial aid package somewhere?</p>

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<p>^ i’d recommend calling FA, that’s what I did.</p>