Westfield State University
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
2023-2024 Academic Year
Massachusetts State Law G.L. c.15A, ß 18 requires that all full-time and 3⁄4 full-time students (nine or more credits for Undergraduate students, 6.75 or more credits for Post Baccalaureate and Graduate students) attending an institution of higher education in the state must be enrolled in a Student Health Insurance Program that meets established minimum benefit guidelines. Westfield State University (WSU) is lawfully mandated to provide the proper measures and to ensure that students will meet this requirement.
The Division of Health Care Finance and Policy's (Division) regulation implements the student health requirement and sets forth the minimum benefit levels and required services for a Student Health Program (SHP). The regulation also establishes the criteria by which a school may waive a student's participation in SHP upon demonstration of comparable insurance coverage.
An eligible student who is not covered by a qualifying health insurance program may obtain coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Health Insurance Plan, which is an alternative program arranged by the University and administered through University Health Plans, Inc. Please click on Benefit Information on left hand side menu of this page for specific information regarding health benefits.
Student Health Insurance Policy Periods, Costs, and Deadlines
| Annual Students | New Spring Students | |
| Coverage Dates | 8/1/2023 - 7/31/2024 | 1/1/2024 - 7/31/2024 |
| Costs | $3,779 | $2,206.50 |
| Waiver Deadlines | September 30, 2023 | February 28, 2024 |
All undergraduate Day School students and Division of Graduate & Continuing Education (DGCE) students (who are required to have health insurance), will be billed $3,779 on the fall tuition bill. New incoming spring students will be billed $2,206.50 for the spring semester.
All eligible students will need to either enroll in or waive the Westfield State Health Insurance Plan insurance online at www.universityhealthplans.com. Please complete the following steps:
- Go to www.universityhealthplans.com
- Enter or Select Westfield State University and click Continue
- On the left-hand side Menu, click on the Waiver or Enrollment Form
- Fill in all required information (if a piece of required information is missing, your waiver or enrollment will NOT be accepted).
- Submit the form by clicking “Submit.” If the form is accepted, you will receive immediate confirmation of your submission as well as an email confirmation for your record.
The deadline to waive or enroll in the fall insurance is September 30, 2023, and for the spring insurance is February 28, 2024. An eligible student who wants coverage must complete the online enrollment and will be charged for coverage. If the enrollment form is not submitted by the deadline, the student’s account will be put on hold until the enrollment form is completed. Student’s name will not be submitted to Blue Cross Blue Shield until the form and payment is completed. Once the student is enrolled, there will be no refunds.
Qualifying Event Enrollment Process
Students who waived the SHIP may qualify for special enrollment rights if they incur an involuntary loss of other coverage. The Qualifying Event Enrollment Form can be found in the navigation menu on the left-hand side of this page. To request a premium quote, contact University Health Plans at 800-437-6448 or info@univhealthplans.com
To enroll, you must submit an enrollment form, a letter from your prior insurance company documenting your loss of coverage, and payment within 60 days of the qualifying event. If all items are received by the deadline coverage will be effective as of the first day without coverage under your prior plan. Undergraduate Day students should reach out to Student Accounts Office at 413-579-3090 and CGCE students reach out at 413-572-8029.
Please note, all full-time day students not enrolled in the Westfield State University Student Health Insurance Plan will still be eligible for care provided by Health Services regardless of their Health Insurance carrier.
University Health Plans also offers the opportunity to enroll in a dental and vision plan on a VOLUNTARY basis, but it is not required insurance. To learn more about these optional plans, please select one of these plans on the left-hand side menu.
For more information about the student health insurance program, please contact University Health Plans via email info@univhealthplans.com or call 1-833-251-1115.
Student Health Plan
- Waiver Form
- Enrollment Form
- Provider Search
- Worldwide Providers &
Travel Assistance - Insurance ID Card
Optional Plans
Additional Information
- Health Services
- Health Connector Participant Info
- Insurance Info for Graduating Students and Dependents
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.