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 Benefit Plan (SHBP). The plan meets state requirements, with coverage and benefits specific to college students.
Students taking five or more credits as a matriculated student in a day academic program are automatically enrolled in the individual SHBP; charges will appear on the semester’s tuition bill.
The available SHBP family plan covers a student’s spouse or same-sex domestic partner, and/or unmarried dependent children under age 26. The student must be enrolled in the SHBP and have paid the Student Health Fee to be eligible to purchase the plan.
Students wishing to purchase the family plan, those taking fewer than five credits per semester, program fee students and those enrolled in a degree-seeking program through Continuing and Professional Education or University Without Walls must come to UHS Patient Services before the end of the Add/Drop period to register.
Depending on your insurance coverage and student status, you may be eligible to waive the plan.
Waivers submitted during the fall semester apply to the entire academic year. Only students beginning at the university as of the spring semester have the option to waive for that semester.
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Referrals
Patients insured by a health maintenance organization or point-of-service plan which requires primary care provider (PCP) referrals must obtain one for care at UHS.
To avoid the need to obtain a referral, consider switching your PCP designation to a UHS provider.
Before coming to school, review your health insurance plan. If there are limitations, you may want to consider enrolling in the Student Health Benefit Plan.
More about referrals...
Student Health Fee
A mandatory Student Health Fee is automatically added to the tuition bill of all students taking five or more credits. The fee works together with primary insurance plans, entitling you to be seen at UHS and absorbing many costs not covered by primary health insurance. Patients are responsible for insurance plan deductibles.
Students taking fewer than five credits per semester, program fee students and those enrolled in a degree-seeking program through Continuing and Professional Education or University Without Walls are eligible for UHS services. However, you must come to UHS Patient Services before the end of the Add/Drop period to register.
Insurance cards
If you’re covered by a plan other than the SHBP, get a copy of that plan's subscriber ID card before coming to school. Many plans have a separate prescription drug card or a health savings account (HSA) card; be sure to have copies of these, as well.
Students who elect the SHBP will receive an ID card. If you need care before you get your card, go to the Consolidated Health Plans website and choose the 'Online ID' option from the menu on the left.
Whether you’re covered by SHBP 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.
Before your first visit, download and complete UHS' insurance information form. Return the completed form, along with photocopies of both sides of your insurance card, to UHS' Patient Services department. If you are insured under an HMO or POS plan, you must also provide the name, address and telephone number of your primary care provider.
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, (413) 577-5192.
