Jane Dotson
Boston University requires that all full-time, three-quarter time, and international undergraduate and graduate students be covered by an approved health insurance plan. Students are automatically enrolled in the Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and billed for the BASIC level, with the option to upgrade to the PLUS level. However, students can waive SHIP coverage if they have comparable medical insurance from an outside plan. To waive SHIP, students must submit a Medical Insurance Waiver form and provide documentation of their outside medical insurance plan, including proof that it covers the required stipulations of the BU plan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I waive medical insurance at Boston University? | Yes, if you have comparable medical insurance from an outside plan. |
| How to waive | Submit the Insurance Waiver form by the deadline. |
| Documentation required | Proof of comparable medical insurance from a U.S.-based health insurance provider. |
| Where to submit | Visit the MyBU Student Portal and complete the online insurance waiver form. |
| Deadline | By the start of the Fall semester. |
| Notification | You will receive an email from Gallagher Student Health with your confirmation number and next steps. |
| Credit | If your waiver is approved, the credit will be applied to your student account within 1-2 business days. |
| Automatic enrollment | All students who are legally required to have health insurance are automatically enrolled in SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan). |
| Billing | You will be billed for the SHIP premium through your student account. |
| Comparable coverage | Required services must be provided at a location within a reasonable distance of the greater Boston area. |
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What You'll Learn
Boston University's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
SHIP is designed to meet the needs of most students, but some may prefer or require a higher level of coverage. During open enrollment, students can upgrade from the Basic plan to the Plus plan through the MyBU portal. It is important to note that students who upgrade to the Plus plan will need to take action to upgrade every year.
To enrol in SHIP, Boston University requires students to be full-time, three-quarter time, or international undergraduate or graduate students. Domestic part-time degree students may also be eligible for SHIP coverage but will typically need to take action to enrol. Online-only students are not eligible for SHIP. Students enrolled in SHIP will be billed for the SHIP premium through their student accounts.
Students who have comparable medical insurance from an outside plan can choose to waive SHIP. To do so, students must submit a waiver request through Student Accounting Services and provide documentation of their outside medical insurance plan. It is important to note that waivers must be submitted every year, and Boston University may decline the waiver request if the outside plan does not meet the required stipulations of the BU plan or ACA requirements.
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Waiver requirements
Boston University requires that all full-time, certified full-time, and part-time students enrolled for at least 75% of the full-time course load, and all international students with visa codes J-1, F-1, J-2, and F-2, be covered by an approved health insurance plan. BU automatically enrols students in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer.
However, you can waive the BU medical insurance plan if you have comparable medical insurance from an outside plan. To waive SHIP, you must submit a Medical Insurance Waiver by the open enrollment deadline. The waiver does not carry forward and must be submitted every year. You will need to waive the plan through Student Accounting Services and provide documentation of the outside medical insurance plan, including proof that the outside plan covers the required stipulations of the BU plan.
Waivers of SHIP apply only to the current plan year. If your waiver is approved, a credit in the amount of the SHIP premium will be applied to your student account within 1-2 business days. You are responsible for determining whether your current coverage meets ACA requirements. However, if Boston University becomes aware that your current plan does not meet ACA criteria, your request for a waiver may be declined.
Even if your current coverage meets ACA requirements, SHIP may be a more affordable and convenient option. Before deciding to waive SHIP, be sure to review your options and understand the rates and deadlines.
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Deadlines
If you want to waive SHIP, you must act by specific deadlines to avoid being billed for the SHIP premium. Here are the key deadlines you need to be aware of:
Open Enrollment Deadline
The open enrollment deadline is crucial for submitting a Medical Insurance Waiver. If you have your own ACA-compliant health plan that provides comprehensive coverage in the Boston area, you must submit your waiver by this deadline. This deadline also applies if you wish to add dependents before the start of the plan year.
Start of the Academic Year/Fall Semester
For Fall students, the deadline to waive SHIP is typically the start of the Fall semester. If you are enrolled for a short-term program, such as 6 weeks or less, you are responsible for the insurance premium if you do not waive SHIP by the beginning of the program.
End of Open Enrollment Period
If you are considering waiving SHIP, it is beneficial to do so by the end of the open enrollment period. By waiving SHIP coverage during this period, a credit for the amount of the SHIP premium will be applied to your student account.
Annual Submission
It is important to remember that the waiver does not carry forward and must be submitted annually. Therefore, you will need to repeat the waiver process each year by the specified deadlines.
In summary, to waive medical insurance at Boston University successfully, you must adhere to the deadlines mentioned above. These deadlines vary depending on your specific situation and the time of the academic year. Remember to review the requirements for comparable coverage and ensure you have the necessary documentation to support your waiver request.
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Comparable coverage
Boston University requires that all full-time, certified full-time, three-quarter time, and part-time students enrolled for at least 75% of the full-time course load, as well as all international students with visa codes J-1, F-1, J-2, and F-2, be covered by an approved health insurance plan. Massachusetts state law requires students to have adequate medical insurance from a United States-based insurance provider.
Boston University automatically enrols all students who are legally required to have health insurance in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Most students will automatically be enrolled in the Basic option. If you are satisfied with this coverage, no action is required. You will be billed for the SHIP premium through your student account.
If you have your own health insurance plan and do not wish to be enrolled in SHIP, you may submit a Medical Insurance Waiver by the open enrollment deadline. To qualify for a waiver, you must have comparable coverage to SHIP. You can download the Comparable Coverage Checklist to compare your current coverage to SHIP. Required services (as listed in the checklist) must be provided at a location within a reasonable distance of the Greater Boston Area. Health plans with a closed network of providers and accessible only for emergency services, such as out-of-area HMOs, EPOs, or Medicaid products, are generally not acceptable.
If your current plan meets all of the requirements on the comparable coverage checklist, you can access the waiver through the MyBU portal by selecting "Student Health Insurance" from the left menu, then choosing "Waive SHIP". During the process, you will be redirected to the website of Boston University's partner, Gallagher Student Health & Special Risk, to complete your waiver. You will need to provide documentation of your outside medical insurance plan, including proof that the outside plan covers the required stipulations of SHIP.
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Student Accounting Services
The Student Link portal provides a convenient and secure way for students to manage their university accounts and related services. Through this portal, students can access their university bills, make online payments, and review their payment history. It also enables students to enroll in direct deposit services, allowing for efficient and secure refunds from the university. This can include refunds for overpayments, financial aid disbursements, or other credits on their account.
Additionally, Student Accounting Services offers tuition payment plans for students who wish to spread out their tuition payments over a more extended period. These plans can help make education more accessible and manageable for students and their families. The university also provides detailed information on its website about the cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, room and board, and other estimated expenses. This transparency helps students and their families plan and prepare for the financial commitment associated with higher education.
International students, in particular, should carefully review the insurance requirements and ensure they understand the options available to them. International students often have unique considerations and may need to provide additional documentation to ensure they have comprehensive health coverage during their studies in the United States. Boston University is committed to supporting the health and well-being of its students and offers a range of resources and services to promote holistic student development.
In summary, Student Accounting Services at Boston University provides flexibility for students with existing health insurance coverage. By offering an insurance waiver option and efficient online services, the university streamlines the process of managing student accounts. Students are encouraged to review the university's website, utilize the Student Link portal, and stay informed about important deadlines and requirements related to their student accounts and insurance options.
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Frequently asked questions
SHIP stands for the Boston University Student Health Insurance Plan. It is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer.
Boston University automatically enrols full-time, three-quarter time, and international undergraduate and graduate students in SHIP. Most students will automatically be enrolled in the Basic option.
Yes, you can waive SHIP if you have comparable medical insurance from an outside plan. You will need to provide documentation of your outside medical insurance plan, including proof that it covers the required stipulations of the BU plan.
You can waive SHIP through Student Accounting Services. You will need to submit the Insurance Waiver form following the instructions on the page. You can also send your SHIP waiver and Adjustment forms to [email protected].
You must waive SHIP by the end of the open enrollment period.
