Drew University
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
2026-2027 Academic Year
Important Information about Student Health Insurance
Drew University requires all full-time students to have health insurance coverage. Matriculated undergraduate students are eligible to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP).The health insurance charge will appear on your semester billing statement issued in July. Students must either enroll in the SHIP or submit a waiver if they have their own comparable coverage. To waive, your insurance must be active and provide comparable coverage on or before August 15, 2026.
Failure to complete the online enrollment or waiver form will result in delays checking into campus housing and registering.
Effective the 2026-2027 academic year, graduate students are not eligible for the SHIP.
Plan Highlights
The Drew SHIP is provided by Wellfleet Student.The plan complies with the Affordable Care Act benefit requirements and includes access to the nationwide Cigna PPO Network. You can view the Plan Design and Benefit Summary located under Benefit Information in the left-hand side navigation menu. (Coming soon.) Wellfleet can be reached at 877-657-5030 for any for any benefit or claim-related questions.
Drew has partnered with University Health Plans to administer the plan and help with waiver, enrollment, or eligibility related questions. University Health Plans can be reached at 833-251-1730 or info@univhealthplans.com.
Insurance Cost & Coverage Periods
| Coverage Period | Annual | Spring |
| Dates of Coverage | 8/15/2026 - 8/14/2027 | 1/1/2027 - 8/14/2027 |
| Undergraduate Student Cost | $3,100 | $2,025 |
| Deadline Dates | 8/26/2026 | TBD |
*The 2026-2027 forms will be open mid-June.*
| Click here for the Waiver Form |
Click here for the Undergraduate Student Enrollment Form |
Waiver Requirements
We strongly recommend that all undergraduate students living on campus enroll in the student health insurance plan—even if you already have coverage through a family plan. Many family plans offer limited coverage when you’re away from home, which may only include true emergencies, require you to see specific in-network providers, or come with high out-of-pocket costs like deductibles. In some cases, coverage may also be affected if you are not enrolled full-time. These limitations can make it more difficult to access care while at school and may require your family to coordinate services from home.
The student health plan helps avoid these challenges by providing access to care near campus, eliminating the need for referrals or pre-approvals in most cases, and reducing paperwork and delays. It also ensures you remain covered even if you need to leave the university. Many students choose to keep both their family plan and the student plan for added flexibility and peace of mind, especially student-athletes. The student plan offers nationwide coverage and remains in effect for 12 months.
We understand that health insurance can be a costly and confusing matter. When considering your enrollment options, some of the desirable features of the student plan include:
- No restrictions on providers
- No pre-certifications required for lab, x-ray, referrals, or hospitalizations
- Basic Plan is in effect for 12 months and pays covered expenses
- Excellent emergency room coverage when referred by Drew Health Service, Counseling Service, or Public Safety
- Students will not be billed for most laboratory tests, allergy shots, routine gynecological care and testing, asthma and other treatments, and most prescription medications that are obtained and dispensed at the Health Service
If you choose to waive the Drew Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), please carefully review your current health insurance to make sure it provides access to doctors, specialists, hospitals, labs/imaging, pharmacies, and mental/behavioral health providers in the Drew University area. Your plan should cover both routine (non-emergency) and emergency care without significant restrictions. This will help ensure you can easily access care while you are at school.
Please note that if you are enrolled in an out-of-state Medicaid plan, HMO, or EPO, your coverage may be limited or may not extend to the Drew University area. Many out-of-state plans do not offer comprehensive coverage outside of their home service area, so it is important to review your plan details carefully before deciding to waive SHIP.
Qualifying Event
Students who waive the insurance in the fall may not enroll in the spring semester. Students who waive are eligible to enroll if there is a Qualifying Life Event which causes them to lose other insurance. The Qualifying Event Enrollment Form can be located in the left-hand menu of this page. To enroll, the enrollment form and documentation of loss of coverage must be submitted to University Health Plans within 60 days of the qualifying life event.
Questions? Need Help Deciding?
If you have any questions call University Health Plans at 833-251-1730.
