UMASS-Boston
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
2023-2024 Policy Year
UMass Boston is pleased to announce that for the 2023-2024 Academic Year we have teamed up with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) to provide health insurance coverage for our students. Details about the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) can be found by selecting “Benefit Information” on the left-hand side of this page.
Massachusetts state law requires students enrolled in 75% of the full-time curriculum in any Massachusetts institution of higher education to participate in a school-sponsored qualifying SHP or an alternate health plan with comparable coverage. (9 or more credits for undergraduate students or 7 or more credits for graduate students) Students who are at least 75% of the full-time curriculum are automatically billed for the SHIP. All other students should inquire as to their eligibility to purchase the insurance by contacting the Bursar’s Office at 617-287-5350.
Please note that all students who withdraw from or drop all of their classes within the first 31 calendar days of the academic semester will not be allowed to be eligible for the Student Health Insurance Plan.
Cost and Coverage Periods
| Annual Students | New Spring Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Dates | 8/1/23 - 7/31/24 | 1/1/24 - 7/31/24 |
| Insurance Cost | $3,177.56 | $1,855.66 |
| WISER Waiver/Enrollment Deadline | October 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 |
Students may opt out of the SHIP by completing the online waiver process through their WISER account, under Finances, indicating that they have health insurance that provides them with access to comprehensive care in the Boston area. Students may complete the waiver or enrollment process by logging onto their WISER account. Once logged in select "Student Center/Finance", click on "Health Insurance Form", then complete and submit.
Students should only complete a waiver form if they are covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan that provides emergency and non-emergency care in the UMass Boston area.
Before waiving, compare the cost, coverage, and benefits of the SHIP to your existing plan. Most students with out-of-state managed care plans or HMOs are not eligible to waive coverage as those types of plans do not provide students with access to non-emergent care in the Boston area. Additionally, please note that you cannot waive the Student Health Insurance Plan if you are currently covered by Mass Health Limited, Health Safety Net or Children’s Medical Security Plan.
International Students
All matriculating international students enrolled in one or more credit hours are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan. Please note that International Students are not allowed to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan unless covered under an embassy-sponsored plan, an acceptable US based insurance through a spouse or employer, or covered under a Massachusetts Connector Plan with coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation.
If you are covered by an embassy-sponsored health insurance plan and provide the Bursar's Office with your financial guarantee prior to the waiver deadline, you will not be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan.
The United States health insurance plan must provide Minimum Essential Coverage as defined by the Affordable Care Act, and include the following benefits in the campus area:
- Unlimited policy maximum
- Pre-existing condition coverage
- Non-emergency medical services
- Mental/behavioral health care
- Pregnancy and maternity coverage
- Prescription drug coverage
- Preventative and wellness services and chronic disease management
- Repatriation and medical evacuation
Please note, health insurance plans marketed solely to international students are generally not filed and approved in the United States and have limited benefits with coverage periods that do not comply with the Massachusetts Student Health Insurance Plan Regulations as well as the University’s health insurance requirements. ISO, PSI, Student Medicover, Tokio Marine, and NYIS Insurance are examples of companies that do not meet the insurance requirements.
Student Health Insurance Plan Contacts:
| Insurance charge on bill or Enrollment/Waiver Process |
Bursar’s Office |
|
| Request your insurance member ID, update your address, or ask general plan information |
University Health Plans (UHP) |
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| Specific Questions Regarding Benefits after you have received your insurance ID card |
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts |
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| Questions or concerns regarding the Student Health Plan |
University Health Services
|
Delta Dental Plan for Students
Taking care of your teeth is as an important part of taking care of your health. Delta Dental offers UMass Boston students and their dependents a choice of two optional dental insurance plans (DeltaCare and Delta Dental Total Choice PPO). Students may enroll in these plans on a VOLUNTARY basis; they are not required to have dental insurance. You can view the options for dental insurance by selecting “Massachusetts Delta Dental Plans”, under Optional Plans, on the left hand side of this page.
Optional VSP Vision Insurance Plan for Students
Students may enroll in the VSP Vision Insurance Plan on a VOLUNTARY basis; they are not required to have vision insurance. You can view the option for vision insurance by selecting “VSP Vision Care Plan”, under Optional Plans, on the left hand side of this page.
Student Health Plan
Optional Plans
Additional Information
Qualifying Event Enrollment Form
Students who waived the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and recently lost their other coverage or moved to the US should contact the University of Massachusetts - Boston Bursar's Office at bursar@umb.edu 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. The first day of coverage in the SHIP will be the first day without coverage under the prior plan or entry into the US.