<p>Hi there,</p>
<p>Wondered if anyone out there has an opinion on the Student Health Insurance Plan. We have Kaiser and it seemed reasonable to waive SHIP and save some $$, but of course when you go to do so they try to give you all the reasons why you might be wrong to do so. So, has anyone waived it and regretted it? Current students with SHIP--how highly do you value having on campus health care? Thanks.</p>
<p>I would like to know this too! Also, do you have to waive SHIP if you stay with your current medical plan (I have Kaiser too)? Or can you just not submit or deal with SHIP at all? Just asking b/c I noticed you could “hide” the item from “My Checklists”</p>
<p>You do need to actively waive SHIP. The deadline is July 15th. The info is here: [UHS:</a> SHIP - Student Health Plan Insurance](<a href=“http://uhs.berkeley.edu/students/insurance/waiverselect.shtml]UHS:”>Waiving SHIP | University Health Services)</p>
<p>I say waive because you save on some dough and you get the same coverage from them as any other QUALIFYING insurance plan.</p>
<p>Do nothing, you don’t waive; after July 15th and you late waive, you pay a penalty. If you have coverage and you want SHIP you can have dual coverage. Dunno about kaiser, but Anthem BC (and I guess others) you use the TANG center, which is the sort of on campus med center. You can go there for cuts and scrapes; therapy groups, fever, sore throats, and psychological problems. </p>
<p>If you decide to waive SHIP don’t wait until the last minute, since it’s hard to figure out how to waive, you need to know what your insurance covers and have the group number, to answer a bunch of questions; and then it asks you are you sure you want to waive SHIP? Are you really really really sure? Followed by an ad about how great it is, so you have to keep hitting the “I’m utterly sure, ain’t gonna change my mind no matter how much you torture me” button.</p>
<p>Kaiser doesn’t let you use the Tang Center.</p>
<p>Getting to Kaiser isn’t that hard (take the BART to MacArthur and there is a free shuttle to the Kaiser center.)</p>
<p>Sorry, I don’t know much about SHIP… but what happens when you waive it? Like, what does waiving it do? Compared to doing nothing.</p>
<p>Anyone know if Blue Shield is approved there?</p>
<p>Look at the waiver form, as it asks the questions to determine if your insurance is adequate. It will deal with coverage limits but also whether there is a place for major care nearby that is under your plan. </p>
<p>There is an Alta Bates medical center nearby which takes most plans - check with your insurer for a list of approved clinics, hospitals and doctors in the area. I am sure you will find many that qualify. </p>
<p>If so, waive the SHIP as you are already paying for coverage for your son with your Blue Cross policy.</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for all your input. It has been helpful to me.</p>