Student Health Insurance

The SFBU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for the 2026–2027 academic year will be offered through Student Medicover and administered by United Healthcare (UHC).

Yes. The plan will be available to all domestic and international students who are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. 

Coverage for the 2026–2027 academic year begins on August 18, 2026, and ends on August 17, 2027.

• Undergraduate students: $889.00 for Fall coverage and $1,496.00 for Spring/Summer coverage.
• Graduate students: $1,511.00 for Fall coverage and $2,542.00 for Spring/Summer coverage.

Yes, all students must be covered under an annual plan to protect against unexpected medical costs. However, charges are split over enrollment periods.  

Yes. The SHIP is available for incoming students starting in the Spring semester.

• Undergraduate students: $1,496.00 for Spring/Summer coverage.
• Graduate students: $2,542.00 for Spring/Summer coverage.

Yes, options are extended to cover terms starting in the summer session.

Summer-specific enrollment rates may vary based on the remaining coverage period. Please contact sm@smcovered.com for the applicable prorated summer rate.
 

Students in the SHIP with United Healthcare will be charged by enrollment period. Fall coverage runs from August 18, 2026, through December 31, 2026, and Spring/Summer coverage runs from January 1, 2027, through August 17, 2027.

Dependent coverage options, including spouse and child coverage, can be reviewed through the United Healthcare Student Resources portal or by contacting the plan administrator.

You can contact Dr. Kell Fujimoto, Senior Director of Wellness, at (510) 803-7328, ext. 185.  You can also email him health insurance-related questions and concerns at health-insurance@sfbu.edu.

• Students interested in enrolling in the SHIP with United Healthcare do not need to take any action! 
• Students will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP after August 25, 2026, for returning and new students in the Fall Semester; January 19, 2027, for the Spring Semester; and June 8, 2027, for the Summer Term.
• Students can proactively enroll in the SHIP by visiting https://studentcenter.uhcsr.com. Active enrollment will be made available beginning August 11, 2026.

You may submit an online waiver request to prove you have comparable coverage that fulfills university requirements. If approved, the SFBU SHIP charge will be waived. Students with Employer, Family, or Medi-Cal coverage must also obtain supplemental Medical Evacuation & Repatriation coverage to meet SFBU waiver requirements.

Fantastic! Our top priority is for every student to be protected from unforeseen medical expenses and thus have medical insurance.  Please submit a waiver request to opt out of the SFBU SHIP.

Students may submit a waiver request to opt out of the SFBU SHIP at https://studentcenter.uhcsr.com. The deadline to submit a waiver is Monday, August 24, 2026. Students who enroll in eligible Student Medicover plans will be automatically waived out of the SFBU SHIP and do not need to submit a separate waiver application.

Students will need to answer questions about their insurance plan to ensure it meets the university’s requirements; provide insurance documents that confirm coverage for the year; and provide photos of the front and back of their insurance card.

The waiver request deadline is August 24, 2026, for Fall coverage and January 18, 2027, for Spring/Summer coverage.

• There are no exceptions.  Students who do not submit a waiver request by Sunday, August 24, 2026, will be automatically enrolled in the SFBU SHIP and will be responsible for paying the annual rate. 
• The option to submit a waiver request is only available during designated enrollment periods, such as the beginning of a semester or term.
• Options to enroll or modify an insurance plan may occur during special enrollment periods under “qualifying life events”, such as marriage, divorce, unemployment, birth/adoption of a child, etc.

• Eligible students may enroll themselves and their eligible dependents during a special enrollment period.
• A special enrollment period applies when one of the following qualifying life events occurs:
  • Loss of coverage under another insurance plan, including loss of minimum essential coverage.
  • Change in marital status.
  • The eligible individual gains or becomes dependent.
  • Guardianship appointment.
  • An individual is mandated to be covered as a Dependent pursuant to a valid state or federal court order.
  • Release from incarceration.
  • The prior coverage substantially violated a material provision of their health coverage contract.
  • An eligible individual gains access as a result of a permanent move.
  • The eligible individual was receiving services from a contracting provider under another health benefit plan for one of the conditions described in subdivision (a) of Section 10133.56 of the California Insurance Code and that provider is no longer participating in that plan.
  • The eligible individual did not enroll in a health benefit plan during the immediately preceding enrollment period available to the individual because they were misinformed that they were covered under minimum essential coverage.
  • The eligible individual is a member of the reserve forces of the United States military returning from active duty or a member of the California National Guard returning from active duty service under Title 32 of the United States Code.
• For more information, you may call Customer Service at 1-800-505-4160 or email customerservice@uhcsr.com.
   

The following Yes/No questions will need to be answered:

• Are you currently covered as a dependent under your partner’s, spouse’s, or parent’s health insurance plan?
• Do you have health insurance coverage through your employer?
• Is your current health insurance plan active for the full required school coverage period with no lapse or gap in coverage? 
• Does your plan have an annual out-of-pocket maximum for individual coverage of no more than $9,100?
• Does your plan have an annual out-of-pocket maximum for family coverage of no more than $18,200?
• Does your plan have an annual plan deductible of no more than $500?
• Does your plan provide both emergency and non-emergency care in the San Francisco Bay area (or in the local area where students will be residing and studying during the academic year)?
• Does your plan have a claims administrator based in the U.S.?
• Does your plan have a U.S. telephone number?
• Does your plan have a U.S. address for claim submissions?
• Does your plan provide annual coverage (term by term coverage does not qualify)?
• Does your plan include coverage for medical evacuation (minimum of $100,000) and repatriation of remains (minimum of $50,000) for F-1 students?
• Does your plan comply fully with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and include: Pre-existing conditions with no waiting period, Outpatient (ambulatory) services, Emergency services, Hospitalization services, Maternity and Newborn care, Mental health and substance use disorder Services, including behavioral health treatment, Prescription drugs, Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (e.g., physical and occupational therapy), Laboratory services, and Preventive and wellness services.

• Yes!  Several plans are being offered to international students by Student Medicover, ISO Insurance, International Student Insurance, and PSA.  Please check our website for information about these plans.
• Domestic students can explore Affordable Care Act individual plans that meet the university requirements by visiting Covered California, Health for California, or eHealth.

Review the alternative resource links provided by the university using your @sfbu.edu email address to ensure the individual policy meets all waiver requirements before making a purchase. Students who enroll in eligible Student Medicover plans will be automatically waived out of the SFBU SHIP and do not need to submit a separate waiver application.

Yes. Students can review optional UnitedHealthcare DentalWise plans through Student Medicover and request a personalized quote. Delta Dental options may also be available upon request for comparison.

• Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid Program, a public health insurance plan.  Students interested in Medi-Cal can see if they qualify for the program.  The program is available for low-income individuals and their families.  Students interested in Medi-Cal can get more information by visiting https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx. The application process for Medi-Cal may take a minimum of 6 weeks to process.  If applying, apply early to meet the waiver request deadline!
• Medi-Cal does not provide medical evacuation and repatriation benefits.  International students on Medi-Cal must obtain additional coverage to meet the university’s requirements.  Affordable coverage is available through https://www.globaltravelplus.com/acsa.
• Submit your evidence of coverage and front and back images of your Medi-Cal insurance card by Sunday, August 24, 2025.  Late submissions will not be permitted, even though you have obtained Medi-Cal.

Please check with your international student advisor or consult with immigration services.
 

You can access your electronic insurance ID card by visiting www.UHCSR.com. With the UHCSR mobile app, you can access your digital insurance ID card at any time.
 

You can request a physical card by logging into your UHCSR account. Click “Mail ID Card” under the “ID card” tab. Permanent ID cards are printed and mailed to your address on file the day after the request is submitted.

With the UHCSR Portal, you can find in-network doctors and facilities near you, manage your medical claims, access health and well-being resources, submit inquiries to UHCSR, and track your balances. 

Visit www.UHCSR.com and click “Login to My Account” in the top-right corner. Select the “Create Account” link. You can create your account 1 to 2 business days after your plan enrollment becomes official.

Yes. You can access telemedicine by downloading the “HealthiestYou” mobile app, creating an account, and selecting “visit doctor” to initiate a virtual consultation. The service is free, available 24/7, and licensed physicians/psychiatrists can prescribe necessary recovery medications.  

• Download the “HealthiestYou” mobile app. By creating an account, you can select “visit doctor” to start your virtual consultation.
• For office visits, remember to bring your UHCSR Insurance ID card obtained from your UHCSR HealthSafe ID

Log into your account at uhcsr.com and click “Find Medical Provider” or “Find Behavioral Provider”.

1. Enter your current ZIP code or location.
2. Filter for your needs: for specialists, look under Medical Specialists ; for facilities, check Facilities > Clinics / Hospitals.  
3. Call the provider directly to finalize your appointment.

• If you plan to visit an in-network provider, the provider will file the claim for you to the insurance carrier, United Healthcare Student Resources. You do not need to submit a claim after your visit.
• If you plan to visit an out-of-network provider, you may need to pay the bill upfront and file a reimbursement claim to United Healthcare Student Resources within 90 days of the date of service. Please submit the Itemized Bill, Proof of Payment, and Insurance ID Card when filing the claim.
• For more information, please reach out to UHCSR by calling 800-767-0700 or emailing customerservice@uhcsr.com.

With the Student Assist Program, you have access to 1:1 phone support, a premium self-care APP, and many more resources to help you manage the pressures of student life.

If you have any questions about the plan, please reach out to us. The contact information can also be found on the back of your insurance ID card.

• Phone: 866-352-8632 (available 24/7) or 812-360-2313 (available 8AM-5PM PST)
• Email: customerservice@uhcsr.com or sm@smcovered.com