UC San Diego International Student Health Insurance Waiver 2026-2027

UC SAN DIEGO REGULAR WAIVER DEADLINE · SEPTEMBER 11, 2026

UC San Diego put $1,065 on an undergraduate quarterly bill. You may be able to waive it.

UC San Diego automatically enrolls registered students in UC SHIP. For 2026–27, the university lists $1,065 per quarter for undergraduates and $2,220 per quarter for graduate students. Qualifying alternate coverage can be submitted annually through TritonLink and AHP.

The important word is qualifying. UCSD requires real in-network primary-care and hospital access within 40 miles, plus specific benefit standards for international students. It is not enough to have any insurance card.

The math, no spin

This guide intentionally does not print a savings promise. UC San Diego’s comparison depends on student category, coverage period, local network access, and the specific approved alternative plan.

UC San Diego school-plan

Student category	UC SHIP 2026–27 estimate
Undergraduate UC SHIP	$1,065 per quarter
Graduate UC SHIP	$2,220 per quarter

What UC San Diego will accept

UCSD’s current waiver criteria include the following core requirements:

• Unrestricted in-network primary-care and hospital access within 40 miles of UC San Diego.

• Individual annual out-of-pocket maximum of $8,700 or less, or $17,400 for a family.

• Minimum essential health benefits, including mental-health and substance-use coverage.

• For international students, at least $50,000 medical evacuation and $25,000 repatriation of remains.

• Annual submission and requested audit documents when selected.
  

Before you buy: UCSD says selected students must supply audit documents. If verification fails, the waiver can be denied and the credit reversed.

Plan Comparison: UCSD SHIP vs. VISIT® Plans

Here is how the UCSD school plan compares three of our most popular options for UCSD students. All three meet UCSD waiver requirements.

*Savings based on plan chosen and age.

		SAVE up to $734	SAVE up to $1,286	SAVE as $1,574
COVERAGE	SHIP PLAN	ELITE PLUS	ELITE 250	ELITE 450
Price	UCSD SHIP PLAN	FALL 2026	FALL 2026	FALL 2026
Age 17-24	$3,195 undergrad	$2460.10	$1,908.95	$1,620.60
Age 25-27	$6,660 Graduate Students	$2,832.40	$2,544.05	$2,197.30
Age 28-29		$5,135.55	$3,934.70	$3,347.05
Medical Maximum		Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Deductible	$500/person in-network; no deductible for UC Family providers	$0	$250	$450
Coinsurance	20% coinsurance in-network for many covered services (varies by service)	100%	80%	80%
Student Health Copay	$0 at Student Health Services (SHS) for primary care/specialist visits	$0	$0	$0
Urgent Care Copay	$0 at SHS; $50 copayment/visit in-network; deductible does not apply	$50 per visit	$65 copayment then you pay 20% Coinsurance	Deductible then $50 copayment
ER Deductible	$150 copayment/visit; deductible does not apply; copay waived if admitted	$200 copay	Deductible then $200 copayment per visit (waived if admitted)	Deductible then $200 copayment per visit (waived if admitted)
Prescription copay	SHS: $5 generic / $25 preferred brand / $40 non-preferred brand; specialty 10% up to $250	$5/$40/$60	$5/$50/$75	$15/$40/$75
Maximum Out-of-Pocket	$4,500/person in-network (including UC Family providers)	$5,000	$5,500	$5,000
Pre-existing conditions	Not stated in SBC	No waiting period	No waiting period	No waiting period
Mental Health	SHS outpatient office visit: no charge; in-network office visit: $10 copay; other mental health services vary	100%	Deductible then you pay 20% Coinsurance	Deductible then you pay 20% Coinsurance
Preventive Care	No charge in-network; deductible does not apply	100% In-Network	100% In-Network	100% In-Network
Maternity	Delivery professional 20%; facility 20% + $500/admission	Deductible + 100% Coinsurance	Deductible + 80% Coinsurance	Deductible + 80% Coinsurance
Repatriation	Covered before deductible; dollar maximum not stated in SBC	$50,000	$50,000	$50,000
Medical Evacuation	Covered before deductible; dollar maximum not stated in SBC	$120,000	$120,000	$120,000
PPO Network	Anthem Blue Cross PPO network	UHC	UHC	UHC
Review Coverage		ELITE PLUS	ELITE 250	ELITE 450
ENROLL		Enroll ELITE PLUS	Enroll ELITE 250	Enroll ELITE 450

Hard deadline

UCSD’s regular Fall 2026 deadline is September 11. A late waiver period runs through September 15, 2026. Submit before the regular deadline to avoid relying on the late window.

Why students look at VISIT®

Designed for international students: VISIT® focuses on coverage options and paperwork for students studying in the United States.

Documents in one place: Students can access plan documents needed to complete a school waiver request.

Price visibility: Request a current quote because age, plan selection, and eligibility affect the actual premium.

Support before submission: VISIT® can help students understand its plan documents; the university makes the waiver decision.

Refund terms if denied: If a school denies a waiver and the plan has not been used, ask VISIT® about the applicable refund process and terms.

Questions people actually ask

Does UCSD waive automatically?

No. Students must submit a new waiver each academic year through the UCSD process.

Is the 40-mile rule real?

Yes. UCSD requires unrestricted in-network primary-care and hospital access within 40 miles.

What is the late deadline?

The official Fall late waiver period runs through September 15, 2026; the regular deadline is September 11.

What happens in an audit?

UCSD may request documents. Failure to verify coverage can result in waiver denial and reversal of the credit.

Questions? We Are Here

Email: info@visitinsurance.com Phone: 703-660-9062

We want you to feel relieved that you have the right insurance — not wondering if maybe you got the wrong thing. That is why we take the time to match every student with the right plan. Not just the cheapest one. The right one.

Money-Back Guarantee

If the school denies your waiver, you may request a full refund within 14 days of the denial date, provided the plan has not been used. Email your denial notice to info@visitinsurance.com and we will process your refund. No risk, no hassle.

VISIT® Insurance has been helping international students find the right health insurance since 1979. We are a licensed insurance broker based in Mount Vernon, Virginia, and we serve students at over 700 universities across the United States.

Disclaimer: Benefits and premiums are subject to change. Please review policy documents for complete coverage details and the school's current waiver requirements.