Student Healthcare Q&A

At UCI's annual Parents Day, a number of questions brought up by parents and family members focused on students and their healthcare. The following summary of those questions and answers is provided as a helpful reference.

Q: Whom can parents call with insurance questions?

USHIP - University Student Health Insurance Policy
If your student is covered through the University Student Health Insurance Plan (USHIP), contact the UCI Student Health Center Insurance and Billing Services Department at one of the following numbers:

(949) 824-4042, 7093, or 9415
Note: Please leave a message; the insurance team is able to return most calls within 1 business day. Calling other departments within Student Health will not result in a faster response to an insurance question.

All Other Health Insurance Providers
For those who have provided their own health care insurance and waived out of USHIP, contact your provider directly. UCI cannot bill health insurance providers other than USHIP.

Q: What is the procedure for evening and weekend health care?

USHIP - University Student Health Insurance Policy
For non-emergency medical situations that occur outside of regular Student Health Center hours, students can go to one of the preferred urgent care clinics listed in the USHIP brochure and on the Student Health Center website www.shc.uci.edu.

All Other Health Insurance Providers
For those who have waived out of USHIP, check your health insurance provider information for urgent care clinics that are approved by your plan. Your provider's insurance booklet and website will have a list of approved locations.

For an emergency, students should call 911 to request paramedic support and ambulance.

Students Living in UCI Student Housing
Every housing community on campus has a professional staff member on call 24 hours per day, every day. These staff members can assist in a wide variety of situations, including referring a student who needs medical care.

Q: Are there any transportation options to local walk-ins or emergency rooms?

UC Irvine does not provide transportation services to local urgent care centers. Due to liability issues, Resident Assistants cannot provide transportation for students.

Q: Can a student who did NOT purchase the USHIP insurance be treated at Student Health free of charge? Or is there a co-pay option per visit?

Students who waived out of the USHIP plan agreed to have their medical care obtained through a different provider and at different facilities.

However there are occasions when a medical concern will be urgent enough and the student is not able or unwilling to access their private care plan. In those unique cases a student can receive medical care at UCI Student Health Center and the care is rendered on a fee for service basis.

Just like a regular medical office, a bill for services rendered will be provided. Each patient will be provided a detailed walkout statement that can be used to obtain reimbursement from his or her insurance provider.

It is the responsibility of the student/family to seek reimbursement from their health care provider. UCI cannot bill providers for any insurance other than USHIP.

Q: I live in Northern California. What should I do if my child comes down with the flu?

If your child comes down with the flu, they should seek medical attention from their primary care provider, or the UCI Student Health Center.

If a student is at home and comes down with the flu--or any other illness that needs medical attention--seek treatment with a local primary care physician.

USHIP - University Student Health Insurance Policy
USHIP insurance may be utilized when a student is receiving care on an emergency basis or when at home farther than 50 miles from the UCI campus.

Students Living in UCI Student Housing
Students who live in on-campus housing will be temporarily relocated to one of the residence halls on campus until they no longer show signs of the flu.