Medical Insurance At Asu: What You Need To Know

does asu offer medical insurance

Arizona State University (ASU) offers a top-tiered medical insurance policy, known as the ASU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), to its students. The SHIP is designed to provide coverage to students who are uninsured, need a cheaper alternative, or need an Arizona provider network. The insurance plan is underwritten by United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) and provides nationwide coverage. Students, regardless of their insurance status, are eligible to use ASU Health Services, but it is recommended that they have adequate health insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses.

Characteristics Values
Name of Insurance Plan Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
Insurance Company United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR)
Coverage Nationwide
Period of Coverage 2024-2025 policy year (Aug. 16, 2024–Aug. 15, 2025)
Who is Eligible? All students, whether they have health insurance or not
Cost Affordable, co-pay plan with a small co-pay amount (usually $25)
How to Register Register for an account with UHCSR to access your insurance ID
Where to Find More Information Benefit Summary and other resources at the UHCSR website
Other Plans The Bridge Discount Plan for students with non-billable or no insurance

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The ASU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

International students on F1 or J1 visas are automatically enrolled in SHIP every semester as a condition of their enrollment with ASU. These students will be charged for Early Arrival coverage, which includes four weeks of extra coverage before the semester begins, regardless of when they enter the United States. However, students with pre-approved sponsored insurance or those whose university expenses are billed to their sponsor may be exempt from SHIP.

All students, whether they have health insurance or not, are eligible to use ASU Health Services. However, ASU strongly advises every student to maintain adequate health insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses. Students can explore options through healthcare.gov or consider the Bridge Plan, which reduces the cost of healthcare at ASU Health Services clinics.

Once enrolled in SHIP, students will be auto-enrolled in every consecutive semester they remain eligible. To confirm enrollment, students should check their ASU account for the Student Health Insurance fee each semester. If students wish to cancel their enrollment, they must do so before the enrollment deadline of the semester. For information regarding deductibles, copays, and other policy details, students can refer to the UHCSR website.

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The Bridge Plan

All currently enrolled on-campus students, except those enrolled in ASU Online, are eligible to enroll in the Bridge Plan. Students can enroll in the plan online or in person at any ASU Health Services location during regular business hours throughout the year. If a student enrolls past the online enrollment deadline, the Bridge Plan will become effective from the date of enrollment. Once enrolled, students will be auto-enrolled in every consecutive semester in which they remain eligible. To cancel, students must do so before the enrollment deadline of the semester they wish to cancel.

The enrollment fee and fees for services rendered at ASU Health Services clinics under the Bridge Plan will be charged to the student's account. Students can confirm their enrollment by checking their ASU account for the Bridge Plan fee.

While ASU Health Services are available to all students, regardless of their insurance status, the university strongly advises every student to maintain adequate health insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses. In cooperation with the Arizona Board of Regents and ASU Health Services, ASU offers immersion students an affordable top-tiered medical insurance policy, known as the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), which is designed to provide coverage to students who are currently uninsured, need a less expensive alternative, or need an Arizona provider network.

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Waiver requests

Arizona State University (ASU) offers the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) to all students, whether they already have health insurance or not. SHIP is a top-tiered medical insurance policy that provides nationwide coverage. The plan is administered by United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) and is designed to provide coverage to students who are currently uninsured, need a less expensive alternative, or need an Arizona provider network.

ASU also offers the Bridge Discount Plan for students with non-billable or no insurance to reduce the cost of healthcare at ASU Health Services clinics. The Bridge Plan is not a health insurance plan and does not provide any coverage for off-campus medical care.

All international students on F1 or J1 visas are automatically charged for SHIP every semester. New incoming international students in their first semester will be charged for Early Arrival coverage, which includes four weeks of extra coverage before the semester begins. This is mandatory and cannot be waived or altered. However, pre-approved sponsored students will have the insurance fee waived once they have submitted their Financial Guarantee at the Student Accounts Office.

For students who wish to waive SHIP, the Student Health Insurance Department requires that the student's existing insurance plan meets or exceeds the minimum requirements. To request a waiver, students must contact the Student Health Insurance Department via secure message in their MyHealth student portal. The waiver request must be submitted by the semester's insurance enrollment deadline, and all documentation must be provided. After the Student Health Insurance Department has reviewed the request, the student will receive a response in their MyHealth student portal informing them of the status of their waiver.

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Billing and payment

ASU offers two medical plan options for 2025. Both medical plans provide the option to choose Blue Cross Blue Shield or United Healthcare medical networks.

The amount of money that ASU charges for services is based on the type and complexity of the service and procedure provided. The more complex the care or procedure, the higher the charge. ASU Health Services is contracted with several major insurance companies and bills many non-contract insurance companies.

If you have an insurance plan, you can provide your insurance card and ASU ID to the registration staff. There will usually be a co-pay amount required by your insurance company that can be charged directly to your ASU student account. After registering, the ASU Health Services provider will examine you and decide on the tests or treatment you need. ASU Health Services then submits your charges and information to your insurance company. Your insurance company then processes the ASU Health Services claim for payment according to your plan benefits and sends the payment.

If your insurance carrier is not on the list of contracted insurance companies, ASU advises you to contact them to receive their guidelines for out-of-network coverage. You may also request an itemized statement for you to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. You should be familiar with the rules of your insurance to receive the best benefit. Most HMO plans have very specific rules about who and where you can be seen, usually only with your selected primary care provider.

Certain lab tests are done at ASU Health Services and billed to your insurance company. Other tests are sent out to a Reference Lab (Sonora Quest or LabCorp). If you have a lab test that is sent out, Sonora Quest or LabCorp will perform the test, send the results to your doctor, and send the charges directly to your insurance company. If your insurance company does not pay for the lab test in full, you will receive a separate bill from Sonora Quest or LabCorp.

ASU also offers the Bridge Discount Plan for students with non-billable or no insurance to reduce the cost of healthcare at ASU Health Services clinics. The Bridge Plan is not a health insurance plan and does not provide any coverage for off-campus medical care. All currently enrolled on-campus students (not ASU Online) are eligible to enroll in the Bridge Plan. The Bridge Plan enrollment fee and fees for services rendered at ASU Health Services clinics will be charged to your student account.

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Insurance card and ASU ID

Arizona State University (ASU) offers a top-tiered medical insurance policy, the ASU Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), which is underwritten by United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR). The Student Health Insurance Plan is designed for students who are currently uninsured, need a more affordable option, or need an Arizona provider network. To access your insurance ID, you must register for an account with UHCSR.

ASU issues all students, faculty, and staff with an official ASU ID. The ASU ID is a ten-digit number that is unique to the university and has no meaning outside of it. The ASU ID number is printed on your Sun Card, Certificate of Admission, and selected communications from the university. It is also found on your student records, where it serves as the primary student identifier. You will use your ASU ID to access your student records and some of your personal records and online services.

Your Campus ID number is another identifying number unique to ASU. It is nine digits long and is generated when you apply for admission to the university. Your Campus ID number is used for various internal university operations. If your Sun Card was issued before 2008, your Campus ID number will be printed on it. You can also find your Campus ID number on the My Profile tab in My ASU.

Additionally, ASU has introduced the ASU Mobile ID, which can be used as an official university identification through the ASU Mobile App. Students, faculty, and staff can use their Apple or Android devices to access buildings, attend campus events, use campus services, and make payments through the app. If you do not have a compatible device for the ASU Mobile ID, you can submit an exemption request form. If approved, you will be issued a physical ASU ID card for a $25 fee.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, ASU offers the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) which is administered by United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR). SHIP is a top-tiered medical insurance policy that provides nationwide coverage.

You must register for an account with UHCSR to access your insurance ID.

For information regarding deductibles, copays, and other policy details, please review the Benefit Summary and other resources at the UHCSR website.

If you already have insurance, you can submit a waiver request. To qualify for a waiver, your plan must meet or exceed the minimum requirements and be approved by the Student Health Insurance Department.

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