UC Santa Barbara International Student Health Insurance Waiver Guide 2026-2027

UC SANTA BARBARA REGULAR WAIVER DEADLINE · SEPTEMBER 6, 2026 ENROLL TODAY!

UC Santa Barbara put $1,336.28 on a Fall undergraduate bill. You may be able to waive it.

UC Santa Barbara automatically enrolls registered students in UC SHIP. The published Fall 2026 undergraduate rate is $1,336.28. Qualifying alternative coverage can be submitted through AHP each academic year.

The move is to verify local care and coverage dates before you buy. UCSB requires local in-network access and plan dates that align with UC SHIP quarterly coverage. A low price is irrelevant if the coverage does not meet the university’s rules.

The math, no spin

Keep this in context: At the published Fall rate, three quarters would be $4,008.84. This guide does not promise savings because an alternative premium must be compared across the same period and approved by UCSB.

UCSB school-plan context

Student category	UC SHIP 2026–27 estimate
Fall 2026 undergraduate UC SHIP	$1,336.28
Three-quarter estimate	$4,008.84 at the published rate

Plan Comparison: UC Santa Barbara SHIP vs. VISIT® Plans

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

*Savings based on plan chosen and age.

		SAVE up to $1,548	SAVE up to $2,100	SAVE up to  $2,387
COVERAGE	SHIP PLAN	ELITE PLUS	ELITE 250	ELITE 450
Price	FALL 2026	FALL 2026	FALL 2026	FALL 2026
Age 17-24	$4,008	$2,460.10	$1,908.95	$1,620.60
Age 25-27	$4,008	$2,832.40	$2,544.05	$2,197.30
Age 28-29	$4,008	$5,135.55	$3,934.70	$3,347.05
Medical Maximum		Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Deductible	$300 In-Network	$0	$250	$450
Coinsurance	Plan pays 80% / Member pays 20% In-Network	100%	80%	80%
Student Health Copay	$0 at Student Health Center (except PT: $15/visit)	$0	$0	$0
Urgent Care Copay	$20 copay per visit; no deductible (office/home urgent care)	$50 per visit	$65 copayment then you pay 20% Coinsurance	Deductible then $50 copayment
ER Deductible	$250 copay per ER visit; no deductible; waived if admitted (20% coinsurance if admitted)	$200 copay	Deductible then $200 copayment per visit (waived if admitted)	Deductible then $200 copayment per visit (waived if admitted)
Prescription copay	See separate OptumRx pharmacy benefits booklet	$5/$40/$60	$5/$50/$75	$15/$40/$75
Maximum Out-of-Pocket	$8,700 In-Network per member	$5,000	$5,500	$5,000
Pre-existing conditions	No waiting period	No waiting period	No waiting period	No waiting period
Mental Health	Office/telehealth: $0; inpatient/outpatient facility: 20% after deductible (In-Network)	100%	Deductible then you pay 20% Coinsurance	Deductible then you pay 20% Coinsurance
Preventive Care	100% In-Network (no copay, deductible, or coinsurance)	100% In-Network	100% In-Network	100% In-Network
Maternity	Prenatal/postnatal routine care: 100%; delivery/maternity visits: 80% after deductible (In-Network)	Deductible + 100% Coinsurance	Deductible + 80% Coinsurance	Deductible + 80% Coinsurance
Repatriation	$25,000 maximum	$50,000	$50,000	$50,000
Medical Evacuation	$50,000 per trip	$120,000	$120,000	$120,000
PPO Network	Anthem UC SHIP PPO / BlueCard PPO	UHC	UHC	UHC
Review Coverage	UC SHIP Anthem PPO Benefit Booklet (2026-27)	ELITE PLUS	ELITE 250	ELITE 450
ENROLL	Automatically enrolled if eligible; waiver available	Enroll - ELITE PLUS	Enroll-ELITE 250	Enroll-ELITE 450

What UCSB will accept

• UCSB’s waiver process checks whether your alternate plan satisfies these core standards:

• Unrestricted in-network primary-care, hospital, emergency, and behavioral-health access within 50 miles of campus.

• For HMO or assigned-provider plans, an active local primary-care provider within the 50-mile service area.

• Plan dates that match UC SHIP quarterly coverage dates.

• Current F-1/J-1 waiver standards for international students.

• Annual submission and possible semi-annual verification; UCSB states that January audits can lead to re-enrollment if coverage cannot be verified.

• Review the school requirements: https://myucship.org/uc-santa-barbara/ 

Before you buy: The regular deadline matters: late submissions in the September 7–19 window carry a $50 fee charged to BARC. Submit before September 6 whenever possible.

How to actually file it

1. Compare coverage dates Make sure your plan’s effective dates line up with the quarter you intend to waive.

2. Verify local access Confirm your primary-care and hospital access within the UCSB service area.

3. Submit in AHP Care26 Complete the annual online waiver before the regular deadline.

4. Save approval for the audit Keep your confirmation and policy evidence for UCSB’s routine verification.

Hard deadline

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Does my plan need local access?

Yes. UCSB requires local in-network care and, for assigned plans, an active local primary-care provider.

• What is the deadline?

September 6, 2026 is the regular Fall deadline. The late window ends September 19 with a $50 fee.

• Will UCSB check later?

Yes. UCSB describes routine semi-annual insurance audits; inability to verify coverage can result in re-enrollment.

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.