UCEAP Health Clearance FAQ | UCB Study Abroad

I don’t have SHIP. Can I still use the Tang Center for my health clearance / travel clinic appointment?

Yes, any Berkeley student can request a UCEAP Health Clearance from the Tang Center regardless of whether or not they have SHIP.

Where can I find the eTang forms?

On the left hand side of your eTang portal under “Medical Clearances.” This tab will appear once your forms are available (typically late February for Summer/Fall programs and late September for Spring programs).

I uploaded my health clearance forms and need to make changes. How do I do that?

If you need to make a change to the information on the Confidential Health History or Limited Authorization Form, please contact the Tang Center directly. There are two ways to do this:

1) Log into eTang and select Messages. Click on the New Message button. Select "Contact a member of my Primary Care Team." Please include copies of your country specific forms, name, SID, UCEAP program name and country, and term in the message.

2) Call and leave a message for the UCEAP Health Clearance Coordinator at (510) 643-5403 to inform them that you need to update a form.

In either case, specify the name of the specific form you need to change. Tang will then re-release the form on the eTang portal so you will be able to make changes and re-submit.

I uploaded my health clearance forms on eTang and haven’t heard anything. When will they be completed?

The Tang Center staff processes forms according to program due date and will make every effort to complete processing within one week or more of the due date if students have started the health clearance process 4-6 weeks in advance of the due date.

First, carefully read through all eTang secure message notifications regarding updates on clearance processing. There may be a message requesting additional follow up such as filling out a supplemental health form and not following up on next steps could cause a delay in the process.

If 3-4 weeks have passed after you uploaded your forms on eTang and you have not received an eTang secure message yet, please contact the Tang Center by either:

a) Logging into eTang and select Messages. Click on the New Message button. Select "Contact a member of my Primary Care Team." Please include your name, SID, UCEAP program name and country, and term in the message.

b) Call and leave a message for the UCEAP Health Clearance Coordinator at (510) 643-5403. This phone number is not staffed every day. Please note that you may have to wait several days for a response if you place a call on a Friday.

My health clearance is due very soon. Can the Tang Center expedite the review process?

The Tang Center prioritizes review by health clearance deadline and is not able to expedite reviews. It’s best that you check with your UCEAP Program Specialist to request a deadline extension since the Health Clearance is a UCEAP requirement.

Which providers should I list on the Health Clearance form (general practitioner, specialists, mental health providers etc)?

We encourage you to include the provider you see most often. This could be a family doctor, a mental health provider, or a specialist. If you do not see a provider regularly, feel free to put down the Tang Center.

How do I submit my program specific health forms or clinician supplemental health forms?

Are you going through a Private Provider? If so, give them to your private provider to fill out.

Are you going through the Tang Center? If so, log into eTang and select Messages. Click on the New Message button. Select "Contact a member of my Primary Care Team." Please include a copy of your form, name, SID, UCEAP program name and country, and term in the message.

I need to fill out a supplemental form but I haven't seen my mental health provider in the past 6 months. How do I contact the EAP Coordinator to schedule a phone visit with the EAP Clinician at Tang?

If this is a mental health-related concern and you have not seen a provider in the past six months, you will need to schedule a phone visit with the EAP Clinician at Tang for clearance evaluation. You can either send a secure message or call to schedule an appointment. Please note that the phone line isn't staffed every day, so you may receive a quicker response with a message.

To send a message, log into eTang and select Messages. Click on the New Message button. Select "Contact a member of my Primary Care Team." Please include your name, SID, UCEAP program name and country, and term in the message, and state that you need to schedule a phone visit with the EAP Clinician at Tang.

To call, dial 510-643-5403 and ask for Monica, Lisa or Evelin. Explain you have questions about the Clinical Supplemental Form for your UCEAP Health Clearance.

It may take 1-2 weeks to get an appointment and it may take more than one appointment for clearance evaluation.

What do I do with my completed health clearance forms? Can I drop them off at the Berkeley Study Abroad office?

All programs need to submit their completed UCEAP health clearance form via email to healthclearance@uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu or e-fax to 805-893-3021.

Note: Using non-encrypted email to send your completed health clearance is not private or secure. Also, there is a possibility that the email could be intercepted and read by others whom you did not intend to receive it.

Take your Confidential Health History form with you abroad for personal reference—do not submit this form to UCEAP.

If there are any changes to your health after submitting the health clearance form, you must notify UCEAP. You may be required to submit an updated health clearance or treating doctor’s letter.

Do I need vaccines for my study abroad program?

You may be required to get certain vaccinations depending on your program. Please read through your country’s health clearance instructions.

Will I be able to bring my medications with me?

That depends on the medication and the country. Please read through your country’s health clearance instructions, the "Information regarding Medications and Medical Care Abroad" in your Health Clearance item of the UCEAP Predeparture Requirements, and the Program Guide also listed in your UCEAP Predeparture Requirements. Then, email your UCEAP Program Specialist and BSA Advisor with follow up questions.

Is a visit to the Tang Center’s Travel Clinic required for my study abroad program?

Please read through your country’s health clearance instructions to see if specific immunizations and/or a visit to the travel clinic is required.

I am participating in back to back programs (ie a summer in one country and a fall in another country). Do I have to do two health clearances?

Depending on the countries and sequence, students may be able to use a previously submitted UCEAP Health Clearance to meet the requirement for a program or use one health clearance for back-to-back programs. Students must email the UCEAP Health Clearance team (healthclearance@uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu) to inquire about reusing the Health Clearance.

I’m participating in a study abroad program offered outside of UC Berkeley and UCEAP that requires a health history review. Can I go through the Tang Center?

Yes, please go to the information desk in the Tang Center lobby and let them know what study abroad program you are going on and that you need a health history review. They will tell you the next steps.

I have an additional question

Most questions are addressed in the above FAQ, your country-specific Health Clearance page and the linked instructions for your selected process, and the information under the Health Clearance item in your UCEAP Predeparture Requirements. If you still have questions after thoroughly reviewing all these resources, you may contact the UCEAP Health Clearance Coordinator, Annie Price, at aprice@berkeley.edu . Make sure to include your SID, UCEAP program/country, and term you will be going abroad.