Clark University
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

2022-2023 Academic Year

Dear Student:

In accordance with Massachusetts State Law, Clark University requires all matriculated full-time and three-quarter-time students to participate in the Student Health Insurance Plan unless proof of comprehensive comparable coverage under a policy filed and approved in the US is provided.

Students must either complete the Online Enrollment Form, to enroll in the Clark University Student Health Insurance Plan, or complete the Online Waiver Form and provide proof of comparable coverage. Only matriculated full-time and three-quarter-time students are eligible to purchase this plan.

Plan Highlights

The 2022-2023 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 column.

Cost and Coverage Periods

  Annual Students    New Spring Students  
Coverage Dates   8/15/22 - 8/14/23  1/1/23 - 8/14/23
Insurance Cost $2,345  $1,473
Waiver Deadline    September 7, 2022  December 19, 2022
 The Spring waiver deadline has been extended to February 1, 2023
 
 

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 Formlocated in the left-hand side navigation menu. Before waiving, compare the cost, coverage, and benefits of the SHIP to your existing plan. Please consider the following:

  • 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 US health insurance plan that is filed and approved in the US and ACA (Affordable Care Act) compliant. Travel insurance and short-term limited duration plans are not accepted.
  • Out-of-state Medicaid and many out-of-state HMO or EPO plans do not provide out-of-network coverage. Urgent and/or emergency-only coverage does not meet the SHIP requirements. This is particularly a concern if you are insured through a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), such as Kaiser.
  • Please check with your insurance company on possible limitations before submitting a waiver form. Health insurance plans that do not reasonably provide access for all health services to the student in the Worcester, MA area are not eligible for a waiver.


If you do not submit a Waiver Form by the waiver deadline on December 19, 2022 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.  You must enroll in the plan to activate your coverage as of August 15, 2022 (January 1, 2023 for New Spring Students). Students who waived the annual coverage but need to enroll please refer to the Qualifying Event Enrollment Process below. 

Please Note: The 2022-2023 policy is based on a replication of the 2021-2022 plan design with the following plan changes:     

  • The retail prescription drug benefit will be:
    • $20 for Tier 1 medications
    • $40 for Tier 2 medications
    • $60 for Tier 3 medications
    • $90 for Tier 4 medications
    • $120 for Tier 5 medications

International Students

All international students will be automatically enrolled in the SHIP and do not need to take any action. The waiver form is not available to international students online. Please contact University Health Plans at 833-251-1733 or info@univhealthplans.com if you are covered by a U.S. 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, 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 and a letter from your prior insurance company documenting your loss of coverage within 60 days of the qualifying event. The prorated premium will be added to your bill by Student Accounts.

OTHER IMPORTANT NOTICES

STUDENTS OUTSIDE THE U.S.: For the Fall 2022 semester, if you are remaining outside of the United States taking remote courses due to COVID-19 you may submit a waiver reporting you are remaining outside of the U.S. Clark will confirm you did not return to campus prior to processing. If you return to the U.S. during the semester you must contact University Health Plans at 833-251-1733 or info@univhealthplans.com to enroll in the SHIP. Students who reported they are outside the United States for Fall 2022 and will remain outside the United Stated for Spring 2023 must resubmit a waiver request, otherwise you will be enrolled and responsible for the Spring 2022 premium.

RETURNING STUDENTS: All students must submit a new waiver or enrollment form each policy year by the final deadline, even if their decision or information has not changed since last year. If you are covered by the SHIP and do not complete a new enrollment form by the deadline, your insurance will become temporarily inactive until your name is resubmitted and reprocessed. A form MUST be on file for EVERY policy year during which you are a full-time or three-quarter-time matriculated student.

MISSING THE WAIVER/ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: Fall 2022 students who do not complete a health insurance waiver/enrollment form by the deadline of August 29, 2022 (or New Spring 2023 students by the 12/19/22 deadline), will be automatically enrolled in and charged for the Clark University SHIP in order for the University to be in compliance with Massachusetts Law. Students looking to waive will not be eligible for a refund for Student Insurance after the deadline of September 7, 2022 (December 19, 2023 for New Spring 2023 students).

Should you have any enrollment/eligibility questions, please contact University Health Plans at 833-251-1733 or info@univhealthplans.com. For questions about benefits and claims, please contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA at 888-753-6615.

Sincerely,

Student Accounts
Clark University