Paying for Healthcare
Primary insurance
Massachusetts requires full-time college students to have primary health care insurance.
If you don’t already have insurance, or if the plan you have won’t meet your needs while at school, take advantage of the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). The plan meets state requirements and offers benefits for physician office visits, hospitalization, emergency room care, X-ray & lab services, prescription drugs and more. The available SHIP family plan covers a student’s spouse or same-sex domestic partner and dependent children under 19.
Students taking 5 or more credits are automatically enrolled in the indivdual SHIP; charges will appear on the semester’s tuition bill.
International students are required to enroll in the SHIP. U.S. students who already have qualifying insurance coverage can choose to
waive the SHIP.
Commonwealth Choice and Commonwealth Care
Students who have coverage under a Commonwealth Choice plan are not eligible to waive the SHIP. These plans have deductibles higher than $250 and do not meet the guidelines for a qualified student health insurance plan.
Becoming a full-time student may impact your eligibility for insurance under a Commonwealth Care plan. Contact your health insurance carrier to verify your status. If you are no longer eligible for Commonwealth Care, call UHS' Patient Services department to be enrolled in the SHIP.
New for 2008 - 2009
For some students, the process for enrolling in and paying for the SHIP and Student Health Fee will change this year. If you want family insurance; are taking fewer than 5 credits; or are a degree-seeking Continuing Education or University Without Walls student, here's what
you should know.
Student Health Fee
If you’re taking five or more credits per semester, a mandatory Student Health Fee is added to your tuition bill. The fee is not insurance, but works together with your primary plan. It entitles you to be seen at UHS, supports an array of programs and services, and absorbs many costs not covered by primary health insurance.
Students taking less than five credits per semester and those enrolled in a degree-seeking program through Continuing Education or University Without Walls are eligible for UHS services. However, they must come to UHS Patient Services before the end of the Add/Drop period to register. For these students, the process for paying the fee is changing this year.
Read more.
Insurance cards
If you’re covered by your parents’ insurance, ask them for a copy of the plan ID card before coming to school. Many plans have a separate prescription drug card; be sure to have a copy of this card, as well.
Students who elect the SHIP will receive ID cards in the mail. If you need care before you get your card, go to the 'Benefit Details' section of the Aetna Student Health website for a temporary card.
Whether you’re covered by SHIP or another plan, it’s important to bring your insurance card when getting care at UHS. The information on the card will be used to submit bills to your insurance company.
Billing
You are ultimately responsible for the cost of your care. If you don't provide us with current insurance information, bills will be sent to you.
Received a bill and have questions? These FAQs may have the answers you need.
Questions about insurance or the Student Health Fee? Call UHS Patient Services, 577-5192.
