Medical checkups are not required. However, students are advised
to be immunized against Hepatitis B if you are under 18 (check the website to
confirm this statement). You can simply get the necessary shots in UCLA Ashe
Center. Aside from this, vaccinations for common illnesses such as chickenpox
might also be a good idea. Get your influenza immunization here as it is free
and the virus traits are different from the ones in Asia.
Most if not all UCLA
students have the University’s insurance, called Student Health Insurance Plan
(SHIP), unless they are covered by other insurance. Your tuition fees include
the SHIP, unless you explicitly submit a SHIP waiver by the stated deadline.
Generally, you may only waive SHIP if you have alternative insurance in the US.
Having insurance is something you do not want to avoid as the medical cost can
be shockingly high. An emergency visit to our famous Ronald Reagan Medical Center is about $1000 in which one of us experienced.
SHIP covers you on-campus, but for off-campus you might want to
call them for more info. Most medical services at the Ashe Centre are covered
up to 90%, with a 10% co-payment. Medication generally costs about $10-20
(generic drugs), or $25 (branded drugs). If you are within 50 miles radius from
UCLA, you are required to go to Ashe Center for treatment. Do not get yourself
directly admitted to the Ronald Reagan Medical Center (the best hospital in
West Coast where Michael Jackson died in and Britney Spears had her mental illness treatment), because you will be charged heavily.
The Ronald Reagan Medical Center should only be used for emergency purposes and
be prepared to pay up to thousands even for some minor issues.
For sponsored students, you might want to check with your
sponsors whether dental healthcare is included in your contract. When asked if
you would like to add SHIP PLUS which covers dental treatment, do check with
your sponsors if they will cover the costs. Based on personal and rather
painful experiences, Bank Negara and Petronas will not pay for SHIP PLUS. Most
students are not covered since it is not part of the SHIP premium plan. That
being said, do consult the dentists in Malaysia if needed as it is a lot
cheaper there. Contact lenses might be more expensive but they should be of
better quality and the shapes fit better. The solution for lenses is not
expensive though. However, prescription glasses are expensive here.
