Student Health Insurance Plan
Massachusetts requires college students to have comprehensive health insurance. UMass Amherst’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is offered through Aetna Student Health.
What does SHIP offer?
The SHIP meets or exceeds state requirements, with coverage and benefits specific to college students. For complete coverage information, visit the Aetna Student Health website and choose 'Plans and Products' from the menu.
How do I enroll?
If you’re taking 5 or more credits, you don’t have to do anything. You’ll be automatically enrolled in SHIP and the charges will appear on your tuition bill.
Coverage dates
The SHIP provides coverage on an annual basis; effective dates for the 2009 - 2010 coverage period are August 1, 2009 through July 31, 2010.
What does it cost?
SHIP is a competitively priced annual policy billed by semester.
The individual rate for 2009 - 2010 is $2,322.
The family plan rate for 2009 - 2010 is $3,836. You must be enrolled in the SHIP individual plan to be eligible to purchase the family plan. Your premium reflects the total of the two plans.
Graduate students who have health plan eligibility are responsible for 5% of the cost of individual SHIP coverage, and for 10% of the family plan.
For more information, call UHS Patient Services, 577-5192.
ID cards
Once you've enrolled in SHIP, you'll receive an ID card. Keep this card with you and show it when you go for medical care.
If you need care and haven't received your card yet, go to the 'Benefit Details' section of the Aetna Student Health website to to download a temporary card.
What if I already have insurance?
The bigger question is ... will your family's existing plan meet your needs and state requirements? For example, your plan may have a high deductible, which must be met before benefits begin. Other plans may not meet the state's threshold for coverage. Compare your plan to the SHIP to see which choice makes the most sense for you.
Waiver eligibility
Depending on your insurance coverage and student status, you may be eligible to waive the SHIP.
U.S. students who already have comparable coverage under another major medical insurance plan can waive the plan.
MassHealth does not meet the guidelines for comparable coverage. Commonwealth Choice plans are acceptable.
If you're covered by a Commonwealth Care plan, contact your insurance carrier to verify your status. Students who are no longer eligible for Commonwealth Care should call UHS' Patient Services department to be enrolled in the SHIP.
Veterans benefits that provide access to Veterans' Administration healthcare facilities do not meet the guidelines for comparable coverage. UHS does accept the U.S. Family Health Plan, a military coverage.
International students are required to maintain SHIP coverage.
Waiving SHIP
SHIP online waivers must be completed by the end of the Add/Drop period to prevent enrollment and charges.
If you waive SHIP for the fall semester, the waiver applies to the entire academic year. Only new or transfer students need to complete the waiver for the spring semester.
- Go to www.spire.umass.edu;
- Select the Health Waiver page link;
- Click the Online Waiver Site link; and
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Complete and submit the waiver form.
or - Go to www.aetnastudenthealth.com;
- Under Member Quick Links, click on "Find My School's Plan;"
- Enter 100106 as your policy number, or search by school name;
- At the UMass Amherst page, click the "Plans and Products Offered to You" link, then the "Insurance Selection" link;
- Select the "Make Your Healthcare Decision Here" link; and
- Complete and submit the waiver form.
A confirmation e-mail is sent within minutes of successfully completing the waiver request. Print and save this e-mail as proof of your waiver. If you don’t receive a confirmation e-mail, call Aetna Student Health customer service, 1-877-480-4167 for help.
