Clark University
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

2023-2024 Academic Year

Insurance Requirement and Eligibility

All students enrolled at least 3/4 time are required by Massachusetts State law to enroll in the Student Health Insurance or be covered by a health insurance plan with comparable coverage. To ensure compliance with Massachusetts law, all students enrolled in 1.75 or more units are automatically billed for the SHIP, unless a waiver form is completed before the deadline. Students must either complete the waiver or enrollment form each year. To read the details of this law, click here. Only matriculated full-time and three-quarter-time students are eligible to purchase this plan. Online only students are not eligible for the policy.

Plan Highlights

The 2023-2024 Clark University Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. The plan is ACA compliant and includes access to Blue Cross Blue Shield's national PPO network of providers. Students do not have to select a primary care physician and referrals are not required. Plan benefits can be found in the left-hand side navigation menu.

Clark University has partnered with University Health Plans to administer the SHIP and help with waiver, enrollment, or general benefit-related questions. University Health Plans can be reached at 833-251-1733 or info@univhealthplans.com. For specific benefit questions or claims, please contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA at 888-753-6615.

Cost and Coverage Periods

Waiver/Enrollment Process

If you are covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan you can opt-out of the Clark University SHIP by completing the Waiver Form, located in the left-hand side navigation menu. A new Waiver Form must be submitted at the beginning of each academic year, even if the decision or information has not changed since last year. Before waiving, compare the cost, coverage, and benefits of the SHIP to your existing plan. To be eligible for a waiver, your plan must meet the below insurance requirements:

• Your plan must provide access to doctors, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and behavioral health providers in the Clark University campus area.  
• The policy must be a United States filed and approved, ACA (Affordable Care Act) compliant plan. International and travel insurance plans and short-term limited duration plans are not accepted.
• Out-of-state Medicaid and many HMO or EPO plans do not provide out-of-network coverage. Urgent or emergency-only coverage does not meet the SHIP waiver requirements.

If you do not submit a Waiver Form by the deadline, posted above, you will be enrolled in the SHIP and responsible for the premium. 

Students that need coverage should enroll in the SHIP by completing the Enrollment Form located in the left-hand side navigation menu.  Although students are automatically charged for the SHIP on their student account, students will not be automatically enrolled by the University until after the deadline date. Students should enroll as soon as possible to avoid delays in accessing their health insurance benefits.

International Students

All eligible international students will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP and do not need to take any action.  Please contact University Health Plans at 833-251-1733 or info@univhealthplans.com if you are covered by a U.S. filed and approved, ACA-compliant health insurance plan that meets all of the waiver requirements above, to request the International Student Waiver Form. 

Please note, health insurance plans marketed solely to international students are often not filed in the U.S., have limited benefits and/or coverage periods that do not comply with the Massachusetts Student Health Plan Regulations and the Clark University waiver requirements. ISO, PSI, Student Medicover, PGH Global, GBG, DIANins, and NYIS Insurance are examples of companies that do not meet the waiver requirements.

Qualifying Event Enrollment Process

Students who waived the SHIP may qualify for a special enrollment period if they incur an involuntary loss of other coverage. To request an enrollment form and premium quote, contact University Health Plans at 833-251-1733 or info@univhealthplans.com

To enroll, you must submit an enrollment form, prorated premium payment and a letter from your prior insurance company documenting your loss of coverage within 60 days of the qualifying event to University Health Plans.