Merrimack College
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
2024-2025 Academic Year
Eligibility
All undergraduate students enrolled in 9 or more credits and graduate students enrolled in 6.75 or more credits are required by Massachusetts State law to enroll in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or be covered by a health insurance plan with comparable coverage. To ensure compliance with Massachusetts law, students are automatically billed for the SHIP, unless a waiver form is completed before the deadline. Students must either complete the waiver or enrollment form each year. Online only students are not eligible for the plan.
Plan Highlights
The Merrimack College 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.
Merrimack has partnered with University Health Plans to administer the plan and help with waiver, enrollment, or benefit-related questions. University Health Plans can be reached at 833-251-1737 or info@univhealthplans.com.
Cost and Coverage Periods
| Annual Students | NEW Spring Students | NEW Summer Students | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage Dates | 8/13/24 - 8/12/25 | 1/13/25 - 8/12/25 | 5/13/25 - 8/12/25 |
| Insurance Cost | $3,911 | $2,284 | $982 |
| Waiver Deadline | September 26, 2024 | January 29, 2025 | June 5, 2025 |
Enrollment Process
Although students are automatically charged for the SHIP, students will not be automatically enrolled until after the 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.
Waiver Process
If you are covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan you can opt out of the Merrimack College 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. In order to waive, your plan must meet the below insurance requirements:
- Your plan must provide access to doctors, specialists, hospitals, labs, pharmacies, and mental health/behavioral health providers in the Merrimack College campus area without restriction or limitation. Please note, if you are enrolled in an out-of-state Medicaid, HMO, or EPO your coverage may not be sufficient in Massachusetts. Many out-of-state plans do not provide comprehensive benefits outside of the home service area, and urgent or emergency-only coverage in Massachusetts is not sufficient and does not meet the SHIP waiver 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.
Students who do not submit an enrollment or waiver form by the deadline will be enrolled in the SHIP retroactively to the policy effective date and responsible for the insurance premium.
International Students
All international students in the U.S. will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan and do not need to take any action.
Please contact University Health Plans at info@univhealthplans.com if you are covered by a US health insurance plan that meets all of the waiver requirements listed above. Please note, health insurance plans marketed solely to international students are often not filed in the US and have limited benefits and/or coverage periods that do not comply with the Massachusetts Student Health Plan Regulations and the Merrimack College waiver requirements. ISO, PSI, Student Medicover, PGH Global, DIANins, and NYIS Insurance are examples of companies that do not meet the waiver requirements.
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 and a letter from your prior insurance company documenting your loss of coverage 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. The prorated premium will be added to your student bill.
