You probably have a lot on your mind as we arrive at the end of the quarter; from finals to graduation to apartment move-outs, it’s a busy time! But there’s one more thing you might want to be thinking about: how you can get the most out of your student insurance plan before your coverage ends. If you have UC SHIP, you pay a lot of money every quarter for your insurance, so you should be taking advantage of everything it offers. Here are six services you can get for free (or almost free) with UC SHIP:
- Free PRIMARY CARE Visits at the Ashe Center
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Be honest: how long has it been since your last physical? And when are you finally going to stop procrastinating on getting that thing checked out? There’s no excuse anymore because primary care visits are completely free with UC SHIP, whether you have an in-person or online appointment. Every UCLA student is assigned a primary care provider at Ashe, and you can schedule your appointment with yours very easily — either call the Ashe Center or go online to your Ashe Patient Portal.
- Cheap Eye Exams (And $120 Off Lenses!)
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Did you know that UCLA has its own optometry office in Ackerman called U See LA Optometry (I know, it’s a super cute name, right)? And if you have UC SHIP, you can get an eye exam for only $10. Plus, every year you get $120 off of any lenses — either lenses for your glasses or contact lenses — so make sure you take advantage of that perk. I got glasses and contacts for the first time this year through U See LA, and it was an incredibly smooth and positive experience, so I highly recommend it!
- Free Mental Health Help At CAPS
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You might already know this, but it’s worth repeating: you can get free mental health assistance at Counseling and Psychological Services (or CAPS) with UC SHIP. CAPS offers a ton of really helpful services and resources for students, including one-on-one counseling, group therapy, psychiatric treatment and more. Even if you don’t have UC SHIP, a visit to CAPS only costs $15 for UCLA students, so you should definitely check it out if you feel like you could benefit from their services in any way.
- Free Visits With A Dietician
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Until recently, I had no idea that the Ashe Center even had a dietician, let alone that I could talk to one for free! UCLA students with UC SHIP can schedule an appointment with a registered dietician — either in person or online — at no cost. You can get help with any questions or concerns you have about nutrition so that you find a unique food plan that works for your body.
- Free or Almost Free Lab Tests
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The Ashe Center has you covered when it comes to lab testing. With UC SHIP, pregnancy tests are only $0.80, and you can get screened for STIs and HIV for free (so there’s no excuse not to get tested regularly). The results of these tests are released onto your Ashe Patient Portal within three business days. And, if you don’t think you have time to stop by the Ashe Center for an appointment, you can also go on your Patient Portal and order self-tests for STIs.
- Very Cheap Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Visits
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Now’s the time to deal with any aches, pains or other issues you’re having with your body. There are so many proven benefits to acupuncture — from pain relief to help with nausea and even mental health benefits — and you can book an acupuncture treatment with the Ashe Center for as little as $15 with UC SHIP. The Ashe Center offers physical therapy visits for $15 as well, both in-person and online.
Your UC SHIP coverage includes so many incredible benefits, so make sure you get the most bang for your buck by taking advantage of them. You can also learn more about what’s included in your insurance by visiting the UC SHIP website or the Ashe Center’s website. Stay healthy, Bruins!