Major Changes Ahead for UC Student Health Insurance in 2025–2026
Next school year, some University of California campuses are getting new student health insurance. For most students, nothing will change. But if you go to UC Irvine, you’ll be getting a brand-new insurance company — and that means new rules for doctors, therapists, and medicine.
Think of it like switching cell phone plans: you still get service, but some things work differently, and you’ll want to make sure your “must-haves” are still covered before the new term begins.
Below, you’ll see exactly what’s changing, who’s affected, and how to protect your coverage.
Who’s Changing Plans and Who’s Staying the Same
For years, most UC campuses have relied on Anthem UC SHIP for student health coverage. It has been the standard plan for nearly everyone. That is about to change for some students:
UC Irvine: Switching from Anthem to Wellfleet UC SHIP.
In California: You’ll use Blue Shield PPO network.
Outside California: You’ll use Cigna PPO network.
UC Berkeley: Already switched to Wellfleet in past years and is keeping it.
While the rest, UC Merced, UC Santa Cruz, UCLA, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Francisco, UC Riverside are staying with Anthem UC SHIP.
Here is the campus-by-campus breakdown. Look for your school in the list. If you see “Official switch,” take the steps in this guide to review your providers, prescriptions, and coverage for next year.
| Campus | 2024–2025 Insurance | 2025–2026 Insurance | Status/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | Anthem UC SHIP | Wellfleet UC SHIP | Official switch |
| UC Berkeley | Wellfleet UC SHIP | Wellfleet UC SHIP | Continuing |
| UC Davis | Anthem UC SHIP | Anthem UC SHIP | No change expected |
| UCLA | Anthem UC SHIP | Anthem UC SHIP | No change expected |
| UC San Diego | Anthem UC SHIP | Anthem UC SHIP | No change expected |
| UC Santa Barbara | Anthem UC SHIP | Anthem UC SHIP | No change expected |
| UC San Francisco | Anthem UC SHIP | Anthem UC SHIP | No change expected |
| UC Riverside | Anthem UC SHIP | Anthem UC SHIP | No change expected |
| UC Merced | Anthem UC SHIP | Anthem UC SHIP | No change expected |
| UC Santa Cruz | Anthem UC SHIP | Anthem UC SHIP | No change expected |
Why Change at All?
Universities do not change insurance by accident. Here is what drives the decision and how it could affect you:
Cost: They try to keep prices from going up too much while still covering important services.
Mental Health Needs: More students need therapy and counseling, so plans now focus on bigger networks and more telehealth options.
Rules and Regulations: Insurance plans must follow updated laws, which can lead to changes in prescription access, specialist referrals, and even campus clinic policies.
What This Means for You
A new insurance plan can mean more than just a different name on your card. Here is what could change and how to prepare:
Your Doctor or Therapist Might Change
With a new plan, the list of “in-network” doctors might be different. That means your current provider might not be covered anymore.
Medicine Coverage Could Be Different
UC Irvine will use Wellfleet Rx for prescriptions. You’ll want to check if your medicine is still covered and if you need new paperwork.
Referrals Might Work Differently
Some plans require more steps before you can see a specialist. Learn the process early so you don’t get stuck waiting.
Only Trust Official Info
Get your updates from your campus health center or official school emails, not from random social media posts.
How to Be Ready
Do not get caught scrambling at the start of the semester. Check these off now and you will be ready no matter what changes hit your campus:
Why You Should Care
This is not just paperwork. It affects how much you pay for medicine, whether you can keep your therapist, and how quickly you can get appointments. Prepare now and you will keep your providers, avoid surprise bills, and start the term without added stress.
Ignore it, and you may be scrambling for care in the middle of midterms.
The Bottom Line
For 2025–2026:
UC Irvine will move to Wellfleet.
UC Berkeley will continue with Wellfleet.
All other campuses will keep Anthem.
Even if your campus is not switching, now is the time to check your providers, review prescription coverage, and understand any referral rules. A few minutes now can prevent surprise bills, gaps in care, or last-minute stress once the semester begins.
Take the Next Step with TLA Therapy
At TLA Therapy, we provide counseling services across West LA, Redondo Beach, Encino, Torrance, and Culver City, CA, designed to support students navigating life changes, stress, and uncertainty. Our team offers individual therapy, couples therapy, and evidence-based approaches like CBT and DBT.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and explore how we can help you feel prepared and supported this school year.