Worcester Polytechnic Institute
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

2025-2026 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 registered for 7 or more credit hours will be automatically billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan. Students must actively attend classes for at least the first 31 days from the start of classes to remain eligible for the WPI SHIP. Students enrolled in only online courses are not eligible for the plan. To read the details of this law, click here. 

Plan Highlights

The 2025-2026 WPI 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.

WPI has partnered with University Health Plans to administer the plan and help with waiver, enrollment, and benefit-related questions. University Health Plans can be reached at 800-437-6448 or info@univhealthplans.com.

Cost and Coverage Periods

Enrollment Process

Although students are automatically charged for the SHIP, they will not be automatically enrolled until after the waiver/enrollment deadline. Students needing coverage should submit the Enrollment Form located in the left-hand side navigation menu as soon as possible to avoid delays in accessing their health insurance benefits. 

The health insurance premium for WPI-funded Graduate Teaching Assistants (TAs) or Research Assistants (RAs) is covered by the institution as part of their employment. TAs and RAs must still enroll or waive insurance coverage by the designated date. 

Dependent Enrollment

Eligible students enrolled in the SHIP may enroll their dependents. Dependents include your spouse and children under age 26. Dependent coverage, if any, begins and ends with the student's coverage. Please contact University Health Plans at 877-514-2091 or via email at info@univhealthplans.com. If you are a funded Graduate student, please contact WPI’s Division of Talent & Inclusion. Please note that you must complete the student Enrollment Form before enrolling dependents. 

Waiver Process

If you are covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan, you can opt out of the WPI SHIP by completing the Waiver Form, located in the left-hand side navigation menu. Before waiving, compare the cost, coverage, and benefits of the SHIP to your existing plan. To waive, your plan must meet the following requirements. 

• The policy must be a US-filed and approved, ACA (Affordable Care Act) compliant health insurance plan. International insurance plans, travel insurance, and short-term limited-duration plans are not accepted.
• Your plan must provide access to doctors, specialists, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and mental health/behavioral health providers in the WPI campus area. Please note that if you are enrolled in an out-of-state Medicaid or HMO, your coverage may not be sufficient in Massachusetts. Many out-of-state plans do not provide comprehensive benefits outside the home service area. Urgent and/or emergency-only coverage in Massachusetts is insufficient and does not meet the SHIP waiver requirements. 

Students who do not submit an enrollment or waiver form by the deadline will be enrolled in the SHIP retroactively to the policy's effective date and responsible for the insurance premium.

Qualifying Event Enrollment Process

Students who waived the SHIP may qualify for special enrollment rights if they incur an involuntary loss of other coverage. To request enrollment, contact the WPI Bursar's Office at 508-831-5203 or via email at bursar@wpi.edu.