Paul Sanchez
Boston University offers a health insurance plan for students known as SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan) which is provided by Aetna, a large national health insurer. Students who are already covered by their parents' or spouse's health insurance plans may be eligible to waive SHIP. However, health plans with closed networks of providers and out-of-area HMOs, EPOs, or Medicaid products are generally not acceptable for a waiver. Out-of-state Medicaid plans are not eligible for a waiver as they do not provide comprehensive benefits outside of the home service area. Therefore, it is unlikely that Medicaid can replace Boston University's health insurance, but students can compare their current coverage to SHIP using the Comparable Coverage Checklist to make an informed decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boston University's health insurance plan | SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan) |
| SHIP provider | Aetna, a large national health insurer |
| SHIP options | Basic and Plus |
| SHIP costs | Basic: $3,401 per year; Plus: $4,567 per year |
| SHIP coverage | Wide network of providers in Boston, including those affiliated with Boston University; Teladoc, an online health platform that provides 24/7 access to licensed doctors by phone or video |
| Medicaid eligibility for SHIP waiver | Out-of-state Medicaid plans are not eligible for a SHIP waiver; MassHealth plans other than Children's Medical Security Program, MassHealth Limited and Health Safety Net are acceptable for a waiver |
| Boston University's role in SHIP | Automatically enrolls all students who are legally required to have health insurance in SHIP; no financial stake in promoting SHIP |
| Student responsibility | Determine whether current coverage meets ACA requirements; submit an online waiver by the deadline each plan year if desired |
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What You'll Learn
Boston University's SHIP plan
Boston University's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer. BU automatically enrols all full-time, three-quarter-time, and international undergraduate and graduate students in SHIP. This includes students who are legally required to have health insurance. Online-only students are not eligible for SHIP. Domestic part-time degree students may be eligible for SHIP coverage but will need to take action to enrol.
SHIP offers two coverage options: Basic and Plus. The Basic plan is the default option for most students. The Plus plan is available for students who wish to enrol their eligible dependents. The standard annual rate for the 2024-2025 year for the Basic plan is $3,401, while the Plus plan is $4,567. Students who upgrade to the Plus plan must choose to upgrade every year before the open enrolment deadline.
SHIP provides access to a wide network of participating providers in Boston, many of whom are affiliated with BU. The plan also includes Teladoc, an online health platform that provides 24/7 access to licensed doctors by phone or video. With SHIP, students pay a fixed dollar amount when they use a network provider, and the plan pays the rest. For example, a visit to a behavioural health provider costs a $10 copay, with unlimited sessions. However, students may also need to pay a deductible and coinsurance for certain visits, procedures, and diagnostic tests.
Students with SHIP can use the Aetna Preferred Provider Network to find in-network benefits and costs. The Comparable Coverage Checklist can be used to compare SHIP with other health plans. It is important to note that health plans with a closed network of providers, such as out-of-area HMOs, EPOs, or Medicaid products, generally do not meet the criteria for a waiver. Students are responsible for ensuring their current coverage meets ACA requirements, and BU may decline a waiver request if the current plan does not meet these criteria.
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Medicaid eligibility
Boston University automatically enrols all students who are legally required to have health insurance in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). This includes all full-time, three-quarter-time, and international students. However, students can opt out of SHIP by submitting a waiver by the deadline each plan year.
To be eligible for a waiver, students must have a health plan that is comparable to SHIP. Out-of-state Medicaid plans are generally not acceptable, as they do not provide students with access to non-emergent care in the Boston area. However, MassHealth plans other than Children's Medical Security Program, MassHealth Limited, and Health Safety Net are acceptable for a waiver.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to over 77.9 million Americans. To participate in Medicaid, federal law requires states to cover certain groups, such as low-income families, qualified pregnant women and children, and individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Affordable Care Act of 2010 allowed states to expand Medicaid to cover nearly all low-income Americans under 65, and most states have chosen to do so. Income eligibility for Medicaid is determined using Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), which considers taxable income and tax filing relationships. Some individuals are exempt from the MAGI-based income counting rules, including those whose eligibility is based on blindness, disability, or age (65 and older).
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SHIP costs
Boston University's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer. The SHIP premium is billed through a student's account and included in the balance due annually. The standard annual rate for the 2024-2025 year for the Basic plan is $3,401, and the Plus plan is $4,567. Premium rates can vary depending on the program length.
Most students will automatically be enrolled in the Basic option. Students who upgrade to the Plus plan are not automatically enrolled in Plus the following year and must choose to upgrade every year. The Basic plan is a more affordable option for students who want to cover their healthcare outside of Student Health Services (SHS). The Plus plan offers additional benefits, including access to an out-of-network provider, but the costs will be higher.
Students who waive the SHIP and recently lost their other coverage or moved to the US should contact the University of Massachusetts - Boston Bursar's Office at [email protected] or 617-287-5350 to request a qualifying event enrollment. The deadline to complete the enrollment form is 60 days from the qualifying life event. Students will be asked to provide supporting documentation, and the prorated premium will be added to the tuition statement.
It is important to note that health insurance is necessary to pay for care not provided through on-campus SHS and is required by the state of Massachusetts. Boston University automatically enrolls full-time, three-quarter-time, and international undergraduate and graduate students in SHIP. Online-only students are not eligible to enroll in SHIP. Domestic part-time degree students may be eligible for SHIP coverage but will need to take action to enroll.
Medicaid plans outside of Massachusetts are not eligible for a waiver because they do not provide students with access to non-emergent care in the Boston area. MassHealth Limited, Health Safety Net, and Children's Medical Security Plan do not meet the insurance requirements and are not accepted.
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SHIP coverage
The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is Boston University's health insurance plan for students. It is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer. SHIP offers two coverage options: Basic and Plus. The Basic plan is an ACA Gold level plan, while the Plus plan is an ACA Platinum level plan. The standard annual rate for the 2024-2025 year for the Basic plan is $3,401 and $4,567 for the Plus plan.
SHIP provides access to a wide network of participating providers in Boston, many of whom are affiliated with Boston University. Students with SHIP can also use Teladoc, an online health platform that provides 24/7 access to licensed doctors by phone or video. The plan covers all services at Student Health Services (SHS), including primary care and mental health visits, physical exams, and more.
SHIP is automatically offered to all full-time, three-quarter time, and international students. Boston University automatically enrolls students who are legally required to have health insurance in SHIP. Part-time students may be eligible for SHIP coverage but will need to enroll, while online-only students are not eligible for SHIP. Students are billed for the SHIP premium through their student account.
Students who wish to waive SHIP coverage must have other coverage that meets the comparable coverage requirements and must submit a waiver by the deadline each plan year. The Comparable Coverage Checklist can be downloaded from the Student Health Services website. Even if a student's current coverage meets ACA requirements, SHIP may still be a more affordable and convenient option.
Students who waived SHIP and recently lost their other coverage or moved to the US should contact the University of Massachusetts - Boston Bursar's Office to request a qualifying event enrollment. The deadline to complete the enrollment form is 60 days from the qualifying life event.
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SHIP alternatives
Boston University's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer. SHIP offers two coverage options: Basic and Plus. The Basic plan is automatically selected for most students, and the premium is billed to the student's account.
Medicaid plans outside of Massachusetts are not eligible for a waiver. However, MassHealth plans other than Children's Medical Security Program, MassHealth Limited, and Health Safety Net are acceptable for a waiver.
- UnitedHealthcare Student Plan: Boston College offers this plan to its students, which includes comprehensive benefits such as hospital room and board, inpatient and outpatient surgical procedures, lab work, x-rays, chemotherapy, radiation, inpatient and outpatient mental health, physician office and consultant visits, ambulance services, and prescription drugs.
- ISO Student Health Insurance: This insurance is designed for international students studying outside their home country. It offers short-term limited duration plans and aims to provide top-of-the-line student health insurance.
- International Student Insurance: This organization specializes in providing comprehensive and affordable international student health insurance and travel insurance plans. Their plans are designed to meet the US J1 visa travel insurance requirements and cover students studying abroad or participating in cultural exchange programs.
- Compass Benefits: Compass Benefits helps students find the right insurance plan for their needs. They offer a range of insurance options, including small group or individual insurance plans.
- Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI): CISI provides comprehensive insurance coverage, travel assistance, and claim-paying capabilities to international students and cultural exchange participants worldwide. They have insured over 1 million study abroad students and scholars and are a leader in this space.
- Wallach & Company: This company specializes in providing medical and related insurance to people travelling outside their home countries.
- Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) through Other Universities: Some universities, like the University of Massachusetts-Boston, offer their own Student Health Insurance Plans (SHIP) in partnership with providers like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts or Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Iowa. These plans may be available to students enrolled at these universities.
- Marketplace Coverage: Students can also apply for coverage through the Marketplace, which offers lower costs based on income, family size, and location. During the Open Enrollment Period (November 1 - January 15 each year), students can enroll in a Marketplace plan with their parents. If a student loses their student coverage outside of Open Enrollment, they may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in or change Marketplace plans.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you cannot replace SHIP with an out-of-state Medicaid plan. However, MassHealth plans may be acceptable for a waiver.
SHIP is Boston University's health insurance plan for students. It is offered through Aetna, a large national health insurer.
Yes, you can waive SHIP if you are already covered by your parents' or your spouse's health insurance plans. All waivers are reviewed by Student Health Services.
You can download the Comparable Coverage Checklist to compare your current coverage to SHIP.
