Around your coverage start date, you will receive an email with information on how to create an account and access your membership information online. This will allow you to access plan documents and download your digital insurance ID card.
Please note: your coverage will activate automatically. Even if you don't register for an online account until a later point, you will still be covered for medical services effective the Sunday before the start of the term. If you haven't received an email by the semester start date or if you have issues registering for your account, please contact International Student Services at visiting-intl@berkeley.edu
To use your health insurance at a facility (listed below), you will need your digital insurance ID card. You will present the digital card to the staff member(s) at the front desk upon your arrival.
Types of care
To receive care, you should determine which type of care is best for you. In general, we distinguish between four types:
- Emergency care
- Urgent care
- Primary care
- Pharmacy (incl. vaccinations)
It's important to understand these distinctions to select the right provider for your health concerns. Below, you will find an overview of types of care with a list of in-network providers. You can also always use the Anthem website or call them at 800-888-2108 to find more options than those listed below or if you have any coverage or network questions.
Emergency care
If you're experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Room (ER). Don't go to the ER if your medical issues aren't life-threatening – you would need to wait multiple hours to be seen by a doctor and risk incurring expenses that aren't covered by your insurance.
Check Anthem or our website for in-network Emergency Rooms.
Urgent care
If you're feeling unwell and you need to see a doctor, but it's not a life-threatening emergency, your best option is to go to an urgent care provider. Urgent care providers are usually able to see you on the same day. We recommend calling ahead of your visit to see if you can make an appointment and avoid unnecessary wait times.
Check Anthem or our website for in-network Urgent Care options.
In-network urgent care visits are free of charge with your insurance, but you may be charged a co-pay for any medication you're prescribed. If necessary, your urgent care provider can refer you to a specialist for further treatment.
Note: You cannot use the Tang Center (University Health Services) on campus for urgent care as it isn't in-network. Using the Tang Center means that you'll be responsible for at least 50% of the treatment costs.
Primary care
A primary care provider (PCP) is your best point of call for ongoing treatment. If you have a chronic medical condition, if you're on a treatment plan in your home country that you'll need to continue while you're in the U.S., or if you need to renew a prescription that isn't urgent, you should see a PCP.
Please note that many PCPs will have a wait time of several weeks for new patients before their first appointment so you should reach out to a PCP as early as possible. You can consult detailed information on how to find a PCP with your insurance in the corresponding article. In-network primary care visits are free of charge. If necessary, your primary care provider can refer you to a specialist for further treatment. Please review our Finding a Primary Care Provider article for more information.
Note: You cannot use the Tang Center (University Health Services) on campus for primary care as it isn't in-network. Using the Tang Center means that you'll be responsible for at least 50% of the treatment costs.
Pharmacy (incl. vaccinations)
At the pharmacy, you can obtain medication you were prescribed by your doctor or purchase medication that is available over the counter. Note that you will need to pay your co-pay for prescription medication when picking up your medication. Any medication that is classified as over-the-counter (e.g., painkillers, allergy medication, antacids, cold medicine) isn't covered by your insurance, which means that you'll need to pay the full cost yourself.
You can also receive vaccinations, such as flu shots, COVID-19 boosters, or any of the CDC-recommended vaccinations, free of charge at any CVS or Walgreens pharmacy. An appointment is required. You can find a list of all vaccinations the University requires on the UHS website. We recommend that you obtain these vaccinations before you arrive in the U.S., but if they're unavailable in your home country, you can also get them directly after your arrival.