SUBJECT:

Student Health Service

The Student Health Service (SHS), a division of Student Affairs, invites you to utilize our services for your medical needs. The facility, known as the Student Health and Wellness Center, is located in the center of campus, just west of Library Walk and the Price Center Bookstore. All students paying registration fees have access to SHS.

SERVICES AT SHS:
Our staff of physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, optometrists, health educators, and other health care professionals are committed to helping students maintain healthy lifestyles. Most outpatient primary care medical services at SHS are provided to you at no cost while you are a registered student. Clinic Services include: Primary Health Care, Urgent Care and First Aid, Psychiatry, Pharmacy, Laboratory, X-ray, Physical Therapy, Optometry, Men's/Women's Health Services, Travel Clinic, Immunizations, Nutrition Counseling, HIV Testing, and Health Education. Please access our website at http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu to review the various services we provide.

MAKING AN APPOINTMENT AT SHS:
To make the best use of your time, we encourage you to make an appointment for your healthcare at SHS. Please access our online appointments at http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu or call our Central Scheduling Office at (858) 534-8089. Same-day appointments are not available on-line; call early in the day for best availability. If you have an illness or injury that requires more immediate attention, you may utilize our Urgent Care clinic for a $20 fee for those who purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or $30 for those who do not purchase SHIP.

MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:
As a condition of enrollment at UCSD, the UC Regents require that all students have a major medical health insurance plan that provides benefits in the San Diego area. While SHS provides most primary medical outpatient care, it does not substitute for medical insurance. All registered students are automatically enrolled into the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), a major medical health plan that offers extensive benefits, coverage worldwide, and is affiliated with an extensive preferred provider network in coordination with SHS providers. After an annual $200 deductible, SHIP provides up to 100% coverage for eligible services when utilizing a UCSD Medical Center facility or hospital with a SHS referral. You should refer to the SHIP brochure for details regarding the plan benefits. Students enrolled in SHIP will receive a brochure by mail this September. In the meantime, more information about the plans can be found online at
http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu/shipabout.shtml

The SHIP is excellent as stand-alone or secondary coverage. Many students have found SHIP to be very affordable, especially when considering its benefits. Please keep in mind, those without the SHIP may have limited coverage outside of your home area. If that is the case, purchasing the University policy would provide added coverage for medical diagnostic procedures or treatments not covered in full by your own private insurance.

Graduate and professional students are billed three quarterly premiums of $548 ($1645 annual) and undergraduate students are billed three quarterly premiums of $290 ($870 annual). The cost of SHIP will be automatically assessed with your Fall quarter registration fees unless you complete the Health Fee Waiver process.

OPTION TO WAIVE SHIP:M
Students who have comparable insurance that meets University criteria may waive out of the SHIP by the September 17, 2010 deadline. Information regarding the waiver, including deadlines, requirements and the process can be found at http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu. To complete the waiver application, access http://tritonlink.ucsd.edu and click on the "Health Fee Waiver" tool. If you choose to waive out of SHIP, you may still utilize SHS. There is no charge for scheduled primary care visits at SHS however you will encounter fees for labs, x-rays and other special services

Best wishes for a healthy academic year.

Regina Fleming, M.D., M.S.P.H Director Student Health Service