Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Student Health Insurance Plan
2023-2024 Policy Year
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is pleased to present you with information about our 2023-2024 Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), offered in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
Student Health Insurance Policy Period, Rates and Deadlines:
| Policy Period | Insurance Fee | Deadline | |
| Annual | 08/01/23–07/31/24 | $3,779 | extended to 8/24/2023 |
| New Spring | 01/01/24–07/31/24 | $2,206.50 | 12/20/2023 |
ELIGIBILITY
In accordance with Massachusetts State Law, MCLA requires all undergraduate students registered in at least 9 credits and all graduate students registered in at least 7 credits to participate in the Student Health Insurance Plan unless proof of comparable coverage is provided. International students with a J-1 VISA are required to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan.
All eligible students must complete an online waiver or enrollment form by the posted deadline.
- Returning and new students for the Fall 2023 semester who fail to complete the on-line enrollment or waiver form by the fall waiver deadline will automatically be enrolled in MCLA’s Student Health Insurance Plan for the annual coverage period and will be billed accordingly.
- Newly eligible students for the Spring 2024 semester who fail to complete the on-line enrollment or waiver form by the spring waiver deadline will automatically be enrolled in MCLA’s Student Health Insurance Plan for the spring coverage period and will be billed accordingly.
The process is an annual one. A waiver or enrollment form must be submitted each academic year to ensure that students have sufficient health insurance coverage while in attendance at the college.
WAIVER PROCESS
To waive the SHIP your health insurance plan must meet the below requirements:
1. Be a US health insurance plan that is filed and approved in the US.
Please note that the following are NOT considered comparable coverage and are NOT eligible for a waiver of the MCLA Student Health Insurance Plan:
- Students with coverage from insurance carriers outside the United States or coverage by foreign National Health Insurance programs.
- Health insurance plans marketed solely to international students are often not filed and approved in the U.S., have limited benefits, provider networks and/or coverage periods that do not comply with the insurance requirements. GBG Insurance, HDL Global Specialty, ISO, PGH (United), PSI, Student Medicover, and Tata AIG are examples of companies that do not meet the waiver requirements.
- Students with a health insurance plan, such as out of state Medicaid, HMO and EPO plans, that provides coverage through a closed network of providers not reasonably assessable in the area where the student attends school, for all but emergency services
- Students with a Health Safety Net, MassHealth Limited, or Children’s Medical Security Plan.
- Travel insurance and short-term limited duration plans are not accepted.
2. Provide coverage for the entire policy year with no break in coverage.
3. Comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and provide minimum essential coverage as defined by the ACA including:
- Provide an unlimited policy maximum
- Include coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Provide emergency and non-emergency care in the area of the College.
4. Provide access to comprehensive coverage (including the below) and providers reasonably accessible in the MCLA area:
- Lab tests and x-rays
- Prescription drugs
- Outpatient hospital services
- Mental health care
- Emergency room care
- Hospitalization (including room and board, physician’s fees, and surgical expenses)
Make sure you have a copy of your current health insurance card, as this card contains the information you will need to complete the waiver.
Completion of the on-line enrollment or waiver form is required annually. Waivers will not be accepted after the specified deadline. Please allow 3-5 business days from the date of your waiver submission for the credit to be reflected on your student bill.
ENROLLMENT PROCESS
Eligible students who fail to complete the on-line waiver form by the deadline date listed above will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan for the entire policy year and will be billed accordingly. Waivers will not be accepted after the deadline. To expedite the processing of your enrollment in SHIP prior to the deadline, you must confirm enrollment by submitting the online enrollment form found in the navigation menu on the left side of this page. Your eligibility will be confirmed by the school once the tuition bill including the insurance fee has been paid.
You will receive a confirmation once you have successfully completed the waiver or enrollment process. Please retain this information. If you do not receive a confirmation, you will need to correct any errors and re-submit. If you have any questions, please contact University Health Plans at 1-833-251-1709.
BENEFIT INFORMATION
The 2023-2024 Summary of Benefits is available in the navigation menu on the left hand side of this page under “Benefit Information”. It is your responsibility to understand the nature and scope of benefits and limitations as well as to abide by posted deadlines.
Student Health Plan
- Waiver Form
- Enrollment Form
- Provider Search
- Worldwide Providers &
Travel Assistance - Insurance ID Card
Optional Plans
Additional Information
Please review the 23-24 Summary of Benefits and Coverage and note the out-of-pocket maximum and coinsurance required for specialty drugs.
- Out-of-pocket maximum is $8,700 for medical and prescription drug expenses.
- The 5-Tier Plan prescription drug copays:
- Tier 1: $10 copay (generic)
- Tier 2: $20 copay (preferred brand)
- Tier 3: $30 copay (non-preferred brand)
- Tier 4: 30% coinsurance (preferred specialty)
- Tier 5: 30% coinsurance (non-preferred specialty)
To look-up your prescription medication in the 5-Tier Plan, choose Prescription Info → Medication Look Up in the navigation menu on the left.
We encourage students anticipating high out-of-pocket costs to compare other insurance options to the SHIP. The Massachusetts Health Connector offers information about their online insurance marketplace where you can compare and purchase insurance plans. You may be eligible for a Subsidized Health Plan (a low or no cost insurance program for qualifying uninsured adults).
The following changes have been made to the 2022-2023 policy:
- Out of Pocket Maximum will increase to $8,700 for combined medical and prescription expenses.
- The prescription drug copayments will change to a 5-Tier Plan:
- Tier 1: $10 copay (generic)
- Tier 2: $20 copay (preferred brand)
- Tier 3: $30 copay (non-preferred brand)
- Tier 4: 30% coinsurance (preferred specialty)
- Tier 5: 30% coinsurance (non-preferred specialty)
To look-up your prescription medication in the 5-Tier Plan, choose Prescription Info → Medication Look Up in the navigation menu on the left.
The following changes have been made to the 2022-2023 policy:
- Out of Pocket Maximum will increase to $8,700 for combined medical and prescription expenses.
- The prescription drug copayments will change to a 5-Tier Plan:
- Tier 1: $10 copay (generic)
- Tier 2: $20 copay (preferred brand)
- Tier 3: $30 copay (non-preferred brand)
- Tier 4: 30% coinsurance (preferred specialty)
- Tier 5: 30% coinsurance (non-preferred specialty)
To look-up your prescription medication in the 5-Tier Plan, choose Prescription Info → Medication Look Up in the navigation menu on the left.