Westfield State University
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN

2012-2013 Academic Year

Massachusetts State Law G.L. c.15A, ß 18 requires that all full-time and 3⁄4 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, 114.6 CMR 3.00: Student Health Insurance, 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.

Any student that 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 Brochure on left hand side menu of this page for specific information regarding new benefits.

All undergraduate Day School students and Division of Graduate & Continuing Education (DGCE) students (who are required to have health insurance), will be billed $1,261 on the fall tuition bill. The cost covers the period of August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013. All students will need to either enroll in or waive the insurance.

If a student is covered by a qualified health insurance program, the student MUST waive the coverage offered by Westfield State University by completing the on-line waiver form at www.universityhealthplans.com. Complete the following steps:

  1. Go to www.universityhealthplans.com
  2. Click on Westfield State University
  3. Click on the Westfield State University Insurance Plan
  4. On the left hand side Menu, click on the Waiver Form
  5. Fill in all required information (if a piece of required information is missing, your waiver will NOT be accepted.)
  6. Submit the form by clicking ‘Apply.’ If the form is accepted, you will receive immediate confirmation of your waiver.
  7. The deadline to waive the insurance is September 30, 2012. If a waiver form is not submitted by September 30, 2012 the student will automatically be enrolled in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan. There will be no refunds.

Please note, all full time day students not enrolled in the Westfield State University Student Accident and Sickness 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.

For more information about the student health insurance program, please go to www.universityhealthplans.com or call at 1-800-437-6448. More Information about the State Student Health Insurance Program can be found on the website: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/basic-needs/essentials/insurance/student-health-insurance.html or call the State Division of Finance & Policy at 800-609-7232.