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
| Annual Students | New Spring Students | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Dates | 8/12/25 - 8/11/26 | 1/1/26 - 8/11/26 |
| Insurance Cost | $2,681 | $1,648 |
| Waiver/Enrollment Deadline | August 31, 2025 | February 10, 2026 |
Enrollment Process
Although students are automatically charged for the SHIP, students 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 (TA) or Research Assistants (RA) is covered by the institution as part of their employment. TAs and RAs must still enroll or waive insurance coverage by the designated date.
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, 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 of the home service area. Urgent and/or emergency-only coverage in Massachusetts is not sufficient 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.
