UCB Health Insurance Waiver Requirements [2025-2026 Guide]

The University of California, Berkeley has a strict medical insurance enrollment policy for its international students. You must have a university insurance plan or similar to the original plan offered by the university. But UCB’s plans can be expensive, so many international students want to waive the fees for UCB’s insurance plan. 

But what are the UCB health insurance fee waiver requirements, and how can you know about them? Here is a complete guide to get you started. 

What is a Health Insurance Fee Waiver?

An insurance waiver lets students opt out of university-sponsored health insurance plans. For example, the cost of UCB’s Student Health Insurance Plan, or SHIP, can easily be waived if you have external insurance coverage. However, it must meet the university’s minimum requirements for medical, mental health, prescription, and emergency care. You can submit a request to waive the student health plan. 

In this guide, I will help you navigate the UCB student insurance fee waiver plan. This will include how to assess your current plan, meet waiver deadlines, and avoid unnecessary penalties. 

Why are Alternative Plans More Affordable?

Insurance providers such as Student Cover offer alternative plans that are much more affordable than most university insurance plans. Most university  plans approximately cost around $2,400/- to $2500/- per semester. 

On the other hand, a provider like Student Cover charges up to $2,500/- annually, with comparable and various options to choose from. So, many international students prefer purchasing insurance externally, rather than sticking to UCB’s plans. 

Factors Contributing to Lower Costs

• Targeted Demographics: Alternative plans are set to serve international students. This allows insurers to tailor coverage and pricing based on the unique needs and risk profiles of this group. 
• Efficient Administrative Structures: Private insurance vendors have streamlined administrative processes. So it reduces the overhead costs and allows students to pay lower premiums.
• Premium Tailored According to Age: Insurance premium plans for students are tailored by age to offer fair and balanced coverage. Younger students often benefit from lower premiums. On the other hand, older students receive plans suited to their specific needs.

Comparative Cost Analysis

**Disclaimer: The Student Cover premium is age-dependent. The above tables display the premium for students aged 22 and below.

Considerations Before Choosing an Alternative Plan

Yes, cost is a huge factor, but you must ensure that any alternate plan you are purchasing must meet UC Berkeley’s waiver criteria. 

What do these criteria include?

They include factors such as: 

• Comprehensive coverage for medical and mental health services
• No pre-existing condition exclusions
• Coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation
• Insurance must cover all Minimum Essential Health Benefits as defined by CMS. This includes emergency, hospitalization, mental health, and prescription drugs.
• Insurance must provide unlimited preventive and wellness care, including chronic disease management.

If you are looking for detailed requirements, refer to the SHIP waiver requirements. And to apply for a waiver, read the step-by-step process of the insurance waiver guide below.

How to Apply for UC Berkeley’s SHIP Fee Waiver?

If you have a qualifying insurance plan, then you can plan to waive your SHIP and at the same time avoid paying the automatic insurance charges. Just follow these steps carefully and make sure that your waiver is accepted. 

Below are the steps you must take to ensure the UCB student health insurance plan is waived off properly:

Step 1: Review the Waiver Requirements

Before you begin, make sure your current health plan meets UC Berkeley's waiver criteria:

• Covers essential health benefits in the U.S.
• No pre-existing condition exclusions
• Maximum annual out-of-pocket no more than $9,200/- (individual)
• Deductible under $1,500/- (individual)
• Medical minimum evacuation coverage of $50,000/-
• Repatriation minimum coverage of $25,000/-
• Provides non-emergency and emergency care in the Bay Area

Full list of requirements: SHIP Waiver Requirements

Step 2: Prepare Your Documentation

You’ll need the following:

• Details of your current insurance (policy number, coverage information)
• Proof of coverage (usually a PDF or scan of your insurance ID card and policy document)
• Your UC Berkeley Student ID number (SID)

Step 3: Access the Waiver Portal

• Go to the UC Berkeley SHIP Waiver Portal
• Log in using your CalNet ID and passphrase.

Step 4: Complete the Waiver Application

• Carefully fill out the online waiver form by answering all the waiver questions
• Upload all required documentation.
• Double-check that your coverage dates include the entire semester or academic year.
• Submit the application before the deadline.

Deadlines (for 2025–26 – subject to confirmation):

• Fall Waiver Deadline: July 15, 2025
• Spring Waiver Deadline: January 1, 2026

Late submissions may incur a $75 fee or be denied altogether.

Step 5: Monitor Your Email

After submitting your waiver:

• You'll receive a confirmation email.
• You may be asked for additional documentation or clarification.
• You’ll get a final approval or denial notification before the semester starts.

Step 6: Check Your CalCentral Account

If your waiver is approved:

• The SHIP fee will be removed from your bill in CalCentral.
• Make sure to verify your financial account reflects this change.

If denied:

• You will be enrolled in SHIP and required to pay the full fee unless you successfully appeal with corrected documentation.

Student Cover insurance advisor can guide you upon contact for the complete waiver application process!!

How Does Student Cover Help?

Student Cover is a Pioneering health insurance vendor that helps students from all over India to stay safe abroad, at the bare minimum cost. It offers F1 insurance plans for students starting at just $1,384/-. 

Student Cover has three effective plans: Plus, Elite, and World Elite Plus.

Plus costs you $1,511/- yearly for individual plans, and Elite costs you $1,854/- yearly for individual plans. Along with it, the World Elite Plan costs up to $2,136/-. Whereas, UCB’s SHIP costs you $2,429/- per semester. 

Moreover, Student Cover insurance helpers ensure that you get the best plan tailored according to your needs. So you don’t have to pay for things you will never need in your student life. 

FAQs

• Does UC require health insurance?

Yes, any renowned and well-reputed university in the USA requires its students to purchase health insurance. If those students have external insurance plans that meet the University criteria, they can plan to waive them. But if they don’t, they need to purchase the university’s one.

• Does UCB have a health insurance plan?

Yes, the University of California, Berkeley does offer a comprehensive health insurance plan. Once you purchase the plan, you will be provided with all sorts of medical facilities, even if you don’t need them. 

• Is the UC Berkeley Insurance plan too expensive for students?

While it can be an all-inclusive package, UC Berkeley's insurance plan can often be on the costlier side. It is because UCB offers an all-inclusive medical plan. However, if you purchase through an external vendor, it will cost you less as they offer tailored plans fitting rightly to the student’s needs and offer comparable coverage.

• What does 100% Coinsurance mean?

100% coinsurance means that the insured doesn’t need to pay any percentage of the medical bill. On the other hand, 0% coinsurance means that the insured is fully responsible for the medical bill.

Parting Thoughts

This blog clearly explains all the UCB health insurance waiver requirements that you must adhere to. So, give this blog a good read and start applying for your waiver before your deadline passes.