What should I know before waiving the student health insurance plan?

Before waiving coverage, review your current policy and then consider these questions: 

• Is your plan fully compliant with the ACA (Affordable Care Act) and does it meet the standards of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? This means services should include, but aren’t limited to: 

• Preventive and non-urgent care (this includes most immunizations) 
• Prescription drugs 
• Emergency care 
• Mental health and substance abuse treatment 
• Surgical care 
• Inpatient and outpatient hospitalization 
• Lab work 
• Diagnostic x-rays 
• Physical therapy and Chiropractic Care 
• Immediate coverage for pre-existing conditions 
• No annual maximum benefits

• Does your plan’s provider network have doctors and hospitals near campus? 

• If you plan to travel elsewhere during the course of the year, does your coverage also extend to these areas? 

• Is the annual cost of the Student Health Insurance Plan less expensive than the deductible of your private plan? What about the cost of being added as a dependent to your parents' plan? Be sure to compare deductibles and total out-of-pocket costs, not just the annual premium. 

• Does your current plan call for administrative pre-requirements, pre-certification, or primary-care physician referrals? Keep in mind that physician referrals may delay your access to treatment. 

• Are you an international student? If so, you won’t be able to waive coverage. 

Non-comparable health plans include: 

• Those that only provide emergency services 

• International plans (includes plans not filed in the US) 

• Travel insurance plans 

• Health care sharing plans (includes Christian Ministries & Liberty Health Share) 

• Out-of-state Medicaid plans 

• Out-of-State HMOs or EPOs 

• Plans from insurance companies not located within the United States 

• Prescription discount plans

If you do not complete a waiver form by the published deadline, you will be automatically enrolled in and billed for the Student Health Insurance Plan.

If you decide to waive coverage, you won’t have another opportunity to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan until the following plan year (unless you experience a qualifying event).

For more information on important dates, eligibility, policies, and coverage rates, visit our webpage on the Student Health Insurance Plan. 

For more information about the ACA, visit: 

https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/index.htm